The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce announced finalists and honorees for its annual Excellence in Business Awards — celebrate achievements and community involvement by Cambridge-area businesses — on Thursday in the run-up to a 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 ceremony at the Cambridge Marriott. More than 400 business leaders are expected to attend.

There are thee finalists in each of the first three categories.

New member of the year, recognizing a business or individual new to the chamber that demonstrates outstanding commitment to the organization and community. The finalists:

• MassPay
• NSK Inc.
• Skillman Video Group

Small Business of the Year honors a company with 50 or fewer employees that demonstrates excellence, professionalism, leadership and originality in its industry and exhibits a tangible record of positive impact on the community. The finalists:

• AFR Furniture Rental Inc.
• PakCom Incorporated
• W.T. Kenney Co. Inc.

Nonprofit of the year recognizes a nonprofit that demonstrates superior performance, quality and consistency in the pursuit of its mission and evokes community spirit and participation. The finalists:

• Cambridge Family & Children’s Service
• Child Care Resource Center Inc.
• Hildebrand Family Self-Help Center Inc.

In the final three categories, the honorees have already been named.

The leading edge, given to a business that demonstrates leadership and innovation in the technology or biotechnology industries and is dedicated to product/process development to enhance and enrich people’s lives, goes to Pfizer.

Corporate citizen of the year, which honors a business that demonstrates significant contributions, involvement or distinguished community service in the Cambridge area by developing community partnerships, supporting philanthropic activities and encouraging volunteerism, goes to Microsoft.

Carl F. Barron businessperson of the year, to honor a person who demonstrates professional excellence and outstanding leadership in the community by supporting and motivating colleagues and employees with enthusiasm, vision and integrity, goes to Rachael Solem, of Irving House at Harvard.

The Excellence in Business Awards banquet is open to the public. The evening will include a cash bar, dinner; dessert and the presentation of the awards. A keynote address by Genzyme COO David P. Meeker is planned, as well as recognition of City Manager Robert W. Healy for his three decades of service. Lead sponsorship is provided by Novartis, and contributing sponsorships by Amgen and Cambridge Trust Co.

Tickets are $90 per person for chamber members and $180 for nonmembers. Tables of 10 are available for member companies for $850. Reservations and payment are required by Sept. 19. To reserve a space, sign up at cambridgechamber.org or call (617) 876-4100. For information, go to www.cambridgechamber.org. The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit membership organization with more than 1,400 members. The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce strives to make Cambridge a better place in which to live, to do business, to visit, to work, and to study. For more information about the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.cambridgechamber.org or call (617) 876-4100.

This post was written from a press release.