The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce announced the individuals and organizations that will be honored at this year’s 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards celebration. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 26th, 2024, at the Monroe Convention Center. At the Annual Meeting, the Chamber’s President & CEO, Eric Spoonmore, will provide a year in review, highlighting accomplishments and member news with attendees, as well as sharing future plans. The Chamber will also recognize and honor several members who have been nominated for a variety of awards.
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This year’s awards and winners are:

New Business of the Year: Farm Bureau Insurance – Barrett Agency
Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years.

Business of the Year: Weddle Bros. Construction Companies
Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more.

Community Anchor: Constellation Stage + Screen
Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period.

4 Under 40 Awards: Cortnie Jamison (Village Caregiving), Kate Kamel (Boston Scientific), Rish Naran (Andy Mohr) and Michael Waterford (Ivy Tech Community College)
Recognizes young professionals that make a significant impact within their organization through their leadership and work ethic, while also giving back to the community through civic involvement.

Outstanding Educator Awards: Tyler Abel (Summit Elementary School), Marcus Debro (Bloomington High School North - Retired), Molly Giddens (Batchelor Middle School), Lindsey Owen (Edgewood Primary School)
Recognizes an individual teacher, program director, counselor, administrator, or staff member at Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation that impacts students in a positive way and works to advance the profession.

Ambassador of the Year: Terri Horne (Callie & Co. Entertainment)
Recognizes a Chamber Ambassador who goes above and beyond to promote the role of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in the community by welcoming and building relationships with new members, aid in the retention rate of new and existing members through the Chamber benefits and creates a positive image for the Chamber by acting as liaisons between members and the Chamber staff.

Lifetime Achievement: Jeff Baldwin (Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington)
Recognizes individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on our community over a sustained period.
 
An award will also be given for the “Best of the Best” Business After Hours host and is voted on by Chamber members who have attended Business After Hours events from September 2023-August 2024. “Best of the Best” will be announced at the Annual Meeting.

“The Chamber is incredibly proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these businesses and individuals,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “Their remarkable contributions not only enhance the vibrancy of our community but also embody the spirit of innovation, resilience, and collaboration that makes Bloomington and Monroe County thrive. We look forward to celebrating their successes and continuing to build on the strong foundation they have helped create.”
 
The 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards celebration will include time to network among attendees prior to the annual meeting and awards presentation. The event will begin at 5:00p.m. and conclude at 8:00p.m. For more information about the 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards, contact The Chamber at (812) 336‐3681 or visit The Chamber’s website at ChamberBloomington.org.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for six community awards that recognize and honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have distinguished themselves through outstanding volunteerism, accomplishments and contributions in the community. The awards will be presented at The Chamber’s 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
 
Anyone in the community may submit nominations. The online forms are available by visiting www.ChamberBloomington.org or by contacting The Chamber at 812-336-6381 or [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Monday, August 5th, at 5:00 p.m.
 
Award Criteria:

• The nominee must be a member of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce or employed by a member organization/business. ‘4 Under 40’ nominees are exempt from this. 
• A person/organization may be nominated in more than one category. However, each nomination must be submitted separately.
• Please provide as much detail as possible for the nomination. The independent selection committee solely uses the nomination form for selecting the award winners.

 
The 2024 awards slate includes:

• Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Recognizes individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on our community over a sustained period.
• New Business of the Year
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years.
• Business of the Year
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more.
• Community Anchor Award
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period. 
• 4 Under 40 Awards
  • Recognizes young professionals that make a significant impact within their organization through their leadership and work ethic, while also giving back to the community through civic involvement. 
  • The nominees must be younger than 40 years of age before August 1, 2024. They do not have to be a member of the Chamber.
  • The nominees must not have won the award in the past (see list of past recipients at chamberbloomington.org).
• Outstanding Educator Awards
  • Recognizes an individual teacher, program director, counselor, administrator, or staff member at Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation.

​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation, The Success School, seeks nominations for the Educator of the Year Awards to be held this year, at the Chamber’s 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on September 26th. Teachers, program directors, counselors, administrators, and instructional staff, from either Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland Bean-Blossom Community School Corporation are eligible for this recognition.
 
“The Success School is deeply committed to celebrating the outstanding educators who shape the future of our community,” said Katie Sensabaugh, Director of The Chamber’s Foundation & Internal Operations. “These educators not only excel in their professional roles but also significantly contribute to the well-being and development of our students. We are proud to honor their dedication and impact through these awards.”
 
Outstanding Educator Awards will recognize outstanding service and dedication to the field of education, fellow educators, and Monroe County youth.
 
Those wishing to nominate a deserving educator should contact the Chamber’s Success School at (812) 336-6381 or download a nomination application from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ChamberBloomington.org. Nominations are due by August 5th, 2024, to be eligible for consideration.
 
The Educator of the Year Awards program was established in 2001 to bring members of the business and education communities together while recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions in the field of K-12 education. The highly coveted awards are given to individuals who have been nominated by school staff, parents, students, and the business community at the Educator of the Year Awards. This year, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce will be adding the Educator of the Year award program to the 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on September 26th.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce announced the individuals and organizations that will be honored at this year’s 108th Annual Meeting & Community Awards celebration. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 7th, 2023, at the Monroe Convention Center. At the Annual Meeting, the Chamber’s President & CEO, Eric Spoonmore, will provide a year in review, highlighting accomplishments and member news with attendees, as well as sharing future plans. The Chamber will also recognize and honor several members who have been nominated for a variety of awards.
 
This year’s awards and winners are:

• New Business of the Year: Pristine House Cleaning
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years.
• Business of the Year: Duke Energy
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more.
• Community Anchor: Middle Way House
  • Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period.
• 4 Under 40 Awards: Marisa Churchill – Girls, Inc. of Monroe County, Sandra McGow – Bell Trace Senior Living Community, Esthela O’Neill – Ivy Tech Community College, and Michele Suttile – Sincerely Yours Weddings & Premier Events
  • Recognizes young professionals that make a significant impact within their organization through their leadership and work ethic, while also giving back to the community through civic involvement.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Christopher Schrader – Schrader and Associates
  • Recognizes individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on our community over a sustained period.

“The Chamber is delighted to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of these businesses and individuals,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “Their notable contributions to our community represent the best of Bloomington and Monroe County and exemplify the core values of the Chamber.”

Along with the annual meeting and awards presentation, the ceremonial "Passing of the Gavel" will occur as the outgoing board chair steps aside for the new leadership, and both individuals address the crowd.

The 108th Annual Meeting & Community Awards celebration will include time to network among attendees prior to the annual meeting and awards presentation. The event will begin at 11:00a.m. and conclude at 1:00p.m. For more information about the 108th Annual Meeting & Community Awards, contact The Chamber at (812) 336‐3681 or visit The Chamber’s website at ChamberBloomington.org.

​Bloomington, IN – The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce held its 106th Annual Meeting and Community Awards this afternoon. This year the Chamber used a hybrid model for the celebration, with sponsors, board members, and award recipients attending in-person at the Monroe County Convention Center and Chamber members participating virtually.
 
“This past year has been a challenging experience for many of our members as we continue to deal with the COVID pandemic,” said Erin Predmore, President & CEO of the Chamber. “Here at the Chamber, we are glad to be a steady resource for our members as we navigate the situation together, and we are grateful to have opportunities like our annual meeting to connect with you, even if in a hybrid setting.”
 
Outgoing board chair and Regional President of German American Bank, Cindy Kinnarney, called the meeting to order, and noted her gratitude for the Chamber staff and her fellow board members during her time as chair. She also kicked off the Community Awards ceremony, honoring a variety of business owners and community leaders from the past year.