Business Recognition Breakfast

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.

Purchase Tickets Here!

Congratulations to our 2024 Award Winners!

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