Good ‘Burger Awards showcase ‘best of St. Pete’

Nearly 400 people celebrated the people, businesses and organizations that make St. Petersburg unique Wednesday night at an equally distinctive event.

Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, said the 13th annual Good ‘Burger Awards highlighted “what happens when we have a full year of doing great things.” The event, held at St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social Club, also served as a coming-out party for the buzzy new business. 

Steinocher dedicated the 2024 Good ‘Burger Awards, held in the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes, to the city’s storm heroes. This year’s celebration and St. Pete Athletic proved that people “got back to work – got back to creating things we’ve never seen before.” 

“This event symbolizes the best of St. Pete, and I think that’s why it’s so much fun to be here,” Steinocher said. “We say every good conversation starts with, ‘I love St. Pete,’ and I think this is why. These kinds of events.” 

St. Pete Athletic & Social Club hosted nearly 400 attendees.

The ceremony’s moniker is a tribute to a former mayor who referred to his constituents as ‘Burgers, as in St. Petersburg-ers. Residents voted finalists in 11 categories, with winners receiving an award fashioned from a pickleball paddle, bragging rights and the opportunity to promote themselves or their business.

Steinocher said highlighting people who are “doing great things” inspires other entrepreneurs to “take that leap.” The outpouring of support Wednesday night shows that they are “not alone, they’re with this big community here to celebrate them.” 

“This is not your old kind of chamber awards where we’re all eating chicken dinners at round tables of 10,” Steinocher added. “This is a party, and we’re all having a blast.” 

He believes St. Pete Athletic, led by a group of local entrepreneurs, provides a “whole other level of experience” in the city. “I think there’s more to come. We’re not done yet.” 

City Council Chair Copley Gerdes, a Most Valuable ‘Burger nominee, echoed that sentiment. He noted that businesses are thriving in the city, which increases the event’s popularity. 

Gerdes credited Steinocher, Candace Hulcher, vice president of operations and member development for the chamber, and the rest of their team for an “amazing job.” He also believes that “business is doing well in St. Pete, and the celebration of that equals how well we’re doing.” 

Chris Steinocher (second from front right), CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and his team.

Gerdes was not the only city official nominated. Councilmember Mike Harting’s business, 3 Daughters Brewing, was named Favorite St. Pete Hangout.

St. Petersburg’s Parks and Recreation Department also won the Sustaining St. Pete award. Director Mike Jefferis, community enrichment administrator, said his team continues searching for new ways to bolster environmental sustainability across the “whole spectrum.” 

“When you look at the seven miles of waterfront parkland we have – third-largest in North America – we’ve got something to be proud of,” Jefferis said. “The second line of the city charters says that we are to protect parkland, and that’s what we do, very seriously, every day.” 

Here are the 2025 Good ‘Burger Award Winners:

• Arts & Culture: Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg
• Best of the OG’s: The Florida Orchestra
• Corporate Champs: St. Anthony’s Hospital
• Do-Good Organizations: The Children’s Dream Fund
• Favorite St. Pete Hangout: 3 Daughters Brewing
• Greenhouse Grown: Lokesh Vale, The Twisted Indian
• I’ve Got Someone for You: Tony and Dalia Morcos, The UPS Store Historic Uptown
• Sustaining St. Pete: St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department
• Favorite Founders: Kevin Milkey, Grand Central Brewhouse
• Most Valuable ‘Burger: Stephanie Vranich, Volunteers of America of Florida

A members-only lounge at St. Pete Athletic served as a VIP area.