GMBA celebrates Maricopa businesses at '60s-themed banquet

About 200 guests filled Global Water Resources for the Greater Maricopa Business Alliance's awards ceremony honoring local companies and leaders.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Greater Maricopa Business Alliance (GMBA) held its annual awards banquet on Saturday, with a '60s-themed celebration at Global Water Resources. The event honored local businesses and community leaders, with around 200 guests in attendance dressed in retro attire. GMBA Executive Director Kelly Anderson said her favorite part was seeing the joy on the winners' faces when their names were announced, as the businesses work hard to support the Maricopa and western Pinal County communities.

Why it matters

The GMBA awards banquet highlights the important role that local businesses play in the Maricopa and western Pinal County economies. By recognizing outstanding companies and leaders, the event helps foster a sense of community and encourages other businesses to strive for excellence. The '60s theme also added a fun, nostalgic element to the celebration.

The details

The event featured a variety of '60s-inspired elements, including hippies, go-go dancers, and TWA flight attendants mingling with the guests. Amanda Atler, owner of Mandy's Wine Bar, was one of the award winners, sharing the Small Business of the Year honor with Adobe Blinds. Atler said she felt 'incredibly honored' to receive the award, as it validates that the business is 'doing something right' and will continue to grow.

  • The GMBA awards banquet was held on Saturday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Greater Maricopa Business Alliance (GMBA)

A business organization that supports and celebrates local companies in the Maricopa and western Pinal County region of Arizona.

Kelly Anderson

The Executive Director of the Greater Maricopa Business Alliance.

Amanda Atler

The owner of Mandy's Wine Bar, which was named Small Business of the Year at the GMBA awards banquet.

Adobe Blinds

A local business that shared the Small Business of the Year award with Mandy's Wine Bar.

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What they’re saying

“It was really gratifying [to see], because all of our businesses in this community work hard to make Maricopa and western Pinal County successful and economically impactful. They work hard for their employees and their team and the community, and just to see them honored, it's really great.”

— Kelly Anderson, Executive Director, Greater Maricopa Business Alliance (inmaricopa.com)

“We shared the [Small Business of the Year] award with Adobe Blinds, and they were announced first. I was so excited for their team. I was just cheering for her and didn't think that we won until she walked over towards me, and I realized we won too.”

— Amanda Atler, Owner, Mandy's Wine Bar (inmaricopa.com)

“It's further validation that we're doing something right, and we are just going to keep going and growing and getting better.”

— Amanda Atler, Owner, Mandy's Wine Bar (inmaricopa.com)

The takeaway

The GMBA awards banquet demonstrates the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of local businesses to the Maricopa and western Pinal County communities. By honoring outstanding companies and leaders, the event helps foster a sense of community pride and encourages other businesses to strive for excellence, ultimately supporting the region's economic growth and development.