![]() The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for 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 110th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on Thursday, September 11, 2025. 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, July 28th, at 5:00 p.m. Award Criteria:
The 2025 awards slate includes:
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![]() The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Women Excel Bloomington (WEB) 2025 award winners. These distinguished women were chosen for their exceptional leadership, business acumen, entrepreneurship, and community involvement. The 15th Annual WEB Awards celebration will take place on Thursday, July 10th, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at One World at Woolery Mill. Those to be honored at the 2025 Women Excel Bloomington Awards are:
“Each of these incredible honorees embodies the strength, vision, and compassion that drive our community forward,” said Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Eric Spoonmore. “Their impact is felt not only in their workplaces, but across Bloomington through their service, mentorship, and leadership. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the many ways they enrich our community.” The WEB Awards celebrate the achievements of local women leaders who inspire through their actions and initiatives. These women serve as mentors, excel in their professions, and demonstrate outstanding leadership and community service. The WEB Awards is the highlight of the Bloomington Women in Leadership's annual calendar and honors women who balance professional success with a commitment to volunteerism and civic engagement. To learn more about the 2025 WEB Awards, please visit The Chamber’s website at ChamberBloomington.org or call the Chamber at (812) 336-6381. ![]() The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA) 2025 Chamber of the Year Award. This distinguished honor places the Chamber among the top eight chambers in Indiana and recognizes its outstanding leadership, innovation, and service to the business community. "This recognition as a finalist for Chamber of the Year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and members," said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. "It reflects our unwavering commitment to strengthening the business climate in Bloomington and supporting our members through advocacy, connection, and opportunity." The Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award is one of ICEA’s highest honors and celebrates chambers that demonstrate excellence across core areas such as member services, community leadership, advocacy, and organizational development. Finalists undergo a rigorous review process that highlights strategic impact, measurable results, and overall member engagement. Being named a finalist comes at a time of continued growth and impact for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, which recently expanded programming, deepened its advocacy efforts, and launched new initiatives to support workforce development and local entrepreneurship. The winner will be announced during the ICEA Annual Conference at the Awards Luncheon on June 5th. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to stand alongside Indiana’s leading chambers and looks forward to celebrating the shared accomplishments of chambers across the state. ![]() The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Hannah Hutton has been promoted to full-time Program Coordinator. In this role, Hutton will support the Chamber’s growing event portfolio by managing the planning and execution of more than 60 programs and events annually. She will report directly to Kaytee Lorentzen, Director of Communications & Events. “To meet the rising demand for high-quality programming and event execution, we created this new full-time position,” said Lorentzen. “Hannah has already proven herself as an invaluable asset in her part-time role. Her strong work ethic, creativity, and attention to detail have enhanced our events tremendously. I’m excited to see her thrive in this expanded capacity.” Hutton joined the Chamber in Spring 2023 as the Events & Program Intern while studying Tourism, Hospitality, & Event Management with a minor in Media & Creative Advertising at Indiana University. She was then hired part-time at the Chamber while pursuing her studies full-time. During her tenure, she has contributed significantly to Chamber initiatives including Showcase Bloomington, the Women Excel Bloomington Awards, and the Chamber’s Member Appreciation campaigns. She also played a key role in redesigning the Chamber’s Impact Report and elevating the Chamber’s visual branding and marketing collateral. ![]() This year marks the second year of the Valor Awards, a distinguished ceremony brought to you by the Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington in partnership with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony is dedicated to honoring the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. Set to spotlight these everyday heroes, the Valor Awards will recognize one individual from each sector for their exemplary service. The event, proudly presented by Old National Bank and Weddle Bros. Construction Companies, will unfold at the Monroe Convention Center on Tuesday, May 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Nominations were solicited from Monroe County entities in five categories: law enforcement, fire, correctional center, dispatch, and emergency medical technicians, with an outside selection committee tasked with reviewing submissions. The winners of each category will be announced during the awards presentation. The following individuals have been nominated in recognition for their outstanding service:
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation – The Success School, Monroe County Community Schools, and Richland-Bean Blossom Community Schools have announced a new partnership aimed at strengthening the regional talent pipeline in the Uplands region. This collaboration focuses on providing students with opportunities for success after high school through various career exploration and skill-building initiatives.
The partnership comes at a crucial time as local employers seek new ways to develop a skilled workforce while offering high school students hands-on experience in various fields. "By working together, we are ensuring that students are well-equipped with the knowledge and experience they need to succeed after graduation, while also addressing the ongoing workforce needs of our local businesses," said Christopher Emge, Senior Director of Government & Community Relations of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Through a variety of opportunities, local businesses are invited to get involved and help shape the next generation of talent. These opportunities include job shadowing, mock interviews, mentorship programs, company tours, career discovery meetings, and more. Employers will have the chance to directly engage with students through in-person or virtual events such as career fairs, panel discussions, and internships. Additionally, employers can collaborate with students through mentorship opportunities or by participating in student-run business initiatives. ![]() The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce it is now accepting nominations for the 15th Annual Women Excel Bloomington (WEB) Awards. Each year, several women are recognized for their outstanding leadership in influencing the growth of others in the community and/or in their professional organization. WEB has a history of recognizing local, civic-minded women from various backgrounds and professions who mentor others and lead by example. Through their actions and initiatives, these women serve as an inspiration and demonstrate outstanding leadership in all they do. These prestigious business leadership awards will be presented at the WEB Awards reception scheduled for Thursday, July 10th at One World at Woolery Mill. WEB nominees serve as an inspiration, helping others to excel as they lead by example. They may be employed in either the business sector or a non-profit organization. Other criteria include:
“We encourage our community to help us recognize the remarkable women who lead with purpose and inspire others to grow,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “By nominating someone for the Women Excel Bloomington Awards, you’re not only honoring their contributions—you’re uplifting the values of leadership, mentorship, and community impact that make Bloomington thrive.” Nominations may be submitted on the Chamber’s website (chamberbloomington.org/webnominations). A nomination form is also available online or by calling the Chamber at (812) 336-6381. All nominations should be submitted to the Chamber on or before Thursday, May 29th, 2025 at 5:00p.m. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has announced a new organizational plan to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen its commitment to delivering exceptional member experiences.
“Our new model realigns key leadership roles and adds a new full-time position to better support the Chamber’s mission and evolving strategic goals,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Chamber. Effective immediately, the following organizational changes have been made:
To support the Chamber’s growing event portfolio, a new full-time Program Coordinator position has been created. Reporting to Communications and Events Director Kaytee Lorentzen, this role will focus on managing 60 events annually. “Our team of extraordinary professionals continues to lead the way in designing innovative programs, business resources, and advocacy strategies that benefit not only our members but also the greater community,” Spoonmore said. “The Chamber’s new organizational plan puts us in a strong position for continued growth and success as we commence our 110th year serving the business community.” For more information about the Chamber’s programs and initiatives, please visit ChamberBloomington.org. PRESS RELEASE: The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Acquires Best Places to Work Awards9/26/2024 ![]() The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and The Mill are excited to announce the transition of the Best Places to Work awards program to the Chamber. This initiative, which has been a fixture in Bloomington’s business community since 2018, will enter an exciting new chapter under the Chamber’s stewardship, with the first event scheduled for November 2025. Originally created by The Mill in partnership with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and the Herald Times, the Best Places to Work awards were designed to celebrate the exceptional companies that contribute to Bloomington’s vibrant work environment. The initiative was developed with a goal to highlight and recognize local businesses while ensuring a low barrier to entry so that all companies could participate and be acknowledged. The Best Places to Work awards recognize companies based on comprehensive survey feedback, assessing various aspects of workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and overall work environment. The results are compiled from surveys distributed to both employees and employers, reflecting the organizations’ commitment to fostering positive workplace environments. ![]() The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Kaytee Lorentzen, Director of Communications & Events, has been awarded a scholarship to attend the Institute for Organization Management (IOM), the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Lorentzen will begin her first year at the Winter 2025 Institute, which will take place from January 5-9, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona. IOM is a prestigious program designed to enhance the individual performance and elevate the professional standards of those working in associations, chambers of commerce, and other nonprofit organizations. The program’s curriculum, taught by university professors, industry experts, and leading practitioners, provides participants with comprehensive education in nonprofit management, including topics such as advocacy, membership, finance, and legal issues. “I am honored to receive this scholarship and am excited to begin my journey with the Institute for Organization Management,” said Lorentzen. “This opportunity will allow me to expand my knowledge and skills, which will, in turn, help me better serve our Chamber members and the greater Bloomington community.” Over the course of four years, participants of the Institute attend one session per year, each lasting five days, at locations across the country. Upon completion of the program, graduates receive the IOM Graduate Recognition, signifying 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. Additionally, the curriculum is aligned with the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) and Certified Association Executive (CAE) certifications, allowing participants to earn credit hours towards these industry-recognized certifications |
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