The 2024 Business Recognition Award Ceremony & Annual Meeting, presented by ABC57 News, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Corewell Health, Honor Credit Union, Mid-West Family Southwest Michigan, and MoodyOnTheMarket.com, returns Friday, February 16th! Doors open at 7:00 am and the program begins at 7:30 am at Grand Upton Hall located in the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College.

We will be announcing our new Board of Directors, the new Young Professionals Board – NextGen, recapping 2023, sharing exciting news for 2024, handing out our Business Recognition Awards, and hearing a special keynote from Wall Street Journal bestselling author and TEDTalker Drew Dudley!

Regarded as one of the most dynamic speakers in the world, Drew’s presentation will provide attendees of all levels with honest, engaging, and useful information to create a culture that retains, inspires, activates, and engages staff on every level. As the founder and chief catalyst of Day One Leadership, he has helped top organizations around the world increase their leadership capacity. With a mission to help people unlearn some dangerous lessons about leadership, his clients have included McDonald’s, American Express, JP Morgan Chase, the United Way, and more than 100 colleges and universities.

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Congratulations to our 2024 Award Winners!

Best New Business Award

Base Bowls & Company

Non-Profit of Excellence Award

LOGAN Autism Learning Center

Small Business of the Year Award

Peat’s Cider Social

Economic Impact Award

Lane Automotive

Rising Star Award

Justin “ Juice” Koehneke, Watermark Brewing Company

Pat Moody Award

Jim “Jimbo” Shelton, Shelton’s Farm Market

 

Congratulations to our 2024 Nominees!

Learn more about the award categories and how to nominate an area professional for next year below. 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.

Best New Business Award

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.

2024 Nominees

  • Base Bowls & Company
  • Eclectic Well-Being
  • The Little Things Play Cafe
  • Mighty Dog Roofing
  • Sticky Spoons Jam
  • The Swab Agency – Farm Bureau Insurance
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.

2024 Nominees

  • Backpacks for Berrien
  • Krasl Art Center
  • LOGAN Autism Learning Center
  • Readiness Center
  • Silver Beach Center
  • Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency
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.

2024 Nominees

  • B&L Information Systems
  • Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday
  • Hinman Counseling Services
  • Peat’s Cider Social
Economic Impact Award

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.

2024 Nominees

  • Express Employment Professionals
  • Indiana Michigan Power
  • Lane Automotive
  • Midwest Energy & Communications
Rising Star Award

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.

2024 Nominees

  • Megan Gopp, The Adventure Agency
  • Justin “Juice” Koehneke, Watermark Brewing Company
  • Chokwe Pitchford, Berrien County Commissioner
  • Samantha Smith, Tranquil Tummy Confections
  • Matt Swab, The Swab Agency – Farm Bureau Insurance
The Pat Moody Award

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.

2024 Nominees

  • Burt Pearson, Pearson Construction Company
  • Anne Reitz, Caffe Tosi
  • Roger Seely, Roger’s Foodland
  • Jim “Jimbo” Shelton, Shelton’s Farm Market

2024 Premier Event Sponsors

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