SOUTH FORSYTH -- Smooth jazz played in the room as 12 small businesses were honored Thursday evening at the 2017 Excellence in Business Awards Gala, hosted by the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. Seven of the 12 entrepreneurs won various awards at the event, which was held at the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College. The gala, an annual event that honors small businesses that make an impact in the community, was changed from a breakfast to a dinner two years ago, according to Don Kemp, chairman of the Cham-ber’s Business Advancement Resource (BAR) group.