The Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, conducted its annual meeting at the Chattanoogan Hotel, Monday April 14. The keynote speaker for the event was Bruce Pearl, head coach men's basketball at the University of Tennessee.

Winners were announced for The 2008 BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics. The winners by category for 2008 are:

• Category I with 1-10 employees: Winner: Ambiance Creations by Michelle Simpson
• Category I - Honorable Mention: Professional Screening & Information, Inc. Rome, GA.
• Category II with 11-99 employees: Winner: Smart Furniture, Inc.
• Category II - Honorable Mention: Mike Collins & Associates
• Category III with 100-499 employees: Winner: Greenlife Grocery, LLC
• Category III - Honorable Mention: EPB
• Category IV - Winner: Bi-Lo, Inc.
• Category - Not for Profit Organization Winner: Chattanooga Kids on the Block

The BBB also conducted its 4th annual "Student of Integrity" scholarship competition. Scholarships in the value of $1000 were awarded to eight high school seniors graduating in 2008. The students competed by writing an essay on "The importance of ethics in business and our community." The competition was available to all seniors in the BBB service area of 22 surrounding counties. The Winners of the BBB 2008 "Student of Integrity" scholarships are:

• Courtney D. Anderson, Walker Valley High School, Cleveland, TN
  
• Allison L. Barnett, Northwest Whitfield High School, Tunnel Hill, GA
  
• Sarah M Cantrell, Dade County High School, Trenton, GA
  
• Jonathan M Cao, the McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
  
• William T. DeBord, Bledsoe County High School, Pikeville, TN
  
• Angelica R. Moore, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, Chattanooga, TN
  
• Oksana V. Radionova, Bradley Central High School, Cleveland, TN
  
• Benjamin T. Wheeler, Dade County High School, Trenton, GA

Congratulations to the winners in the Business Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics and the Student of Integrity Scholarships. BBB President Jim Winsett, states, "Individually, the business winners and the student winners are exemplary representatives of ethics and integrity in our marketplace".