Learn more about the award categories and how to nominate an area professional for the 2025 year awards. Please note, nominees must be members of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.
Award recipients are announced at the event, keeping finalists and attendees on the edge of their seats.
A new, stand out business in Southwest Michigan that has already demonstrated a level of excellence in their product category and a commitment to giving back to the community.
Criteria:
- Time Open: The business must be between 6 months and 2 years old.
- Growth: Has already achieved growth in any, or all, of the following: jobs provided, sales made, services or products offered, and territory served.
- Customer Service: Has already built a reputation of exceeding customer/client expectations.
- Community Service: Has already dedicated significant time and resources to bettering the community.
Non-Profit of the Year Award
A 501(c)3 organization that demonstrates excellence in providing a service to our community and/or in advocating, enabling, and empowering an underserved, underrepresented or disadvantaged population in our area.
Criteria:
- Size: The organization must have fewer than 100 employees.
- Mission: The mission of the organization.
- History: A brief history of the organization.
- Service Provided: A description of the services provided and the population they seek to benefit.
- Excellence: The organization has demonstrated excellence in any of the following:
- Leadership abilities, strategic planning, partnerships, alliances, effective volunteer management, fundraising initiatives, successful marketing and promotion of initiatives, and effective program development.
Small Business of the Year Award
A local small business that stands out for developing an outstanding, growing business; offering innovative product(s) and/or services, increasing jobs, increasing sales, overcoming adversity, and for making significant community contributions.
Criteria:
- Size: The business must have fewer than 50 employees.
- Resiliency: Has demonstrated the ability to survive during tough times.
- Culture: Has created a positive culture of employee benefits, talent development, diversity and inclusion practices, flexibility in sick-leave policies, and mentorship for its employees.
- Growth: Achieved growth in any, or all, of the following: jobs provided, sales made, services or products offered, and territory served.
- Customer Service: Has built a reputation of exceeding customer/client expectations.
- Community Service: Has dedicated significant time and resources to bettering the community.
A business that has made significant contributions to the economic vitality of the region through business growth, job creation, investment in infrastructure, and participation in other endeavors that benefit that community and its residents. The company must also exemplify excellent corporate citizenship by giving back to the community in which it operates and possess a corporate culture that enhances the lives of its employees.
Criteria:
- Size: The business must have more than 50 employees.
- Culture: Has created a positive culture of employee benefits, talent development, diversity and inclusion practices, flexibility in sick-leave policies, and mentorship for its employees.
- Growth: Record of growth in any, or all, of the following: jobs provided, sales made, services or products offered, and territory served.
- Customer Service: Has built a reputation of exceeding customer/client expectations.
- Community Service: Has dedicated significant time and resources to bettering the community.
An award that recognizes a talented professional who is considered a rising star in their field and is considered a role model for others both personally and professionally.
Criteria:
- Age: Must be between the ages of 21-40 years old.
- Experience: Must have one (1) or more years of professional experience in your current career.
- Community Service: Must also be involved in community, civic, church or charitable activities.
- Talent Development: Must have dedicated time and effort to education/career/leadership development programs as a way to achieve a higher level of knowledge and expertise in their field of business.
An award that recognizes an individual or business who has made their mark in the community.
Criteria:
- Longevity: Has 10+ years in as an established presence in Southwest Michigan.
- Leadership: Has served their organization or community in a leadership role.
- Customer Service: Has built a reputation of exceeding customer’s expectations.
- Community Service: Has dedicated significant time and resources to bettering the community.
Community Placemaking Award—New for 2025
This award honors and recognizes a community in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren Counties that has undergone efforts to improve and transform their community through innovative and impactful placemaking projects. Projects can be a mix of: spaces that bring people together, new downtown developments, neighborhood enhancements, streetscapes and beautification projects but all must enhance the lives of residents. Nominations must be for communities not organizations.
Criteria:
- Project Completion Date: Must have been completed by Feb 21st, 2025.
- Project Start Date: Must have started in the last 2 years.
- Community Service: Has dedicated significant time and resources to bettering the community.
- Open to Communities Only – Not Organizations
