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 and Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce issued a joint statement to the Monroe County Commissioners and Monroe County Council this week to urge consideration of a new, more accessible, and cost-effective site option for construction of the new jail.

Bloomington Chamber President & CEO Eric Spoonmore and Board President of the Ellettsville Chamber Christa Curtis addressed the Monroe County Council on August 13 and the Monroe County Board of Commissioner’s meeting on August 14.

The two Chamber leaders presented to County Officials a new site option that is closer to the City of Bloomington. Spoonmore and Curtis also emphasized the fiscal impacts of land acquisition for the new jail. “I think it’s safe to say that these 100 or so acres of vacant land would come at a fraction of the cost of any of the other site options currently under consideration,” Spoonmore said at the County Commissioners meeting.

Spoonmore and Curtis told County Officials that the property located at 3241 W. Woodyard Road in Bloomington would meet the acreage requirements for the new justice center. The property owners expressed interest in selling the land to Monroe County Government and indicated that all necessary infrastructure including water and sewer are available to serve a new jail facility. In addition, owners of a separate property connected to 3421 W. Woodyard Road told County officials they have over 50 more acres of land to assist with jail construction. In total, over 100 acres of vacant land are available at the new site option proposed to County officials.

“We are aware that the County is considering the North Park site as the preferred option for the new justice center at a considerably higher price, and we believe that locating the justice center on that property would not only have negative fiscal impacts for taxpayers, but would be an underutilization of that important location in our community,” Curtis said. “As a gateway to Bloomington and Ellettsville, the North Park property could be incredibly valuable from an economic development standpoint.”

In light of the new site option at Woodyard Road, the Chamber leaders urged continued collaboration among the various property owners involved, elected officials, and local communities to identify and support the most strategic and cost-effective use of land for the new justice facility.
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The full joint statement by the two Chambers of Commerce can be located on the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce's’ website at www.chamberbloomington.org/advocacy

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded three Innovation Excellence Awards at the Indiana Chamber Executive Association (ICEA) 2024 Annual Conference. This remarkable achievement underscores the Chamber’s dedication to innovative practices and excellence in serving its members and the community.

The Chamber received accolades for the following projects:

• Connect Bloomington: An annual publication that combines the utility of a business directory with the appeal of a magazine, showcasing community projects, initiatives, and leaders. This initiative has significantly enhanced business visibility and community engagement.
• New Member Onboarding & Retention Pipelines: A comprehensive communication strategy that integrates personalized interactions and multimedia elements to ensure new and returning members feel valued and engaged. This initiative has achieved a 79% retention rate and fostered a culture of continuous improvement.
• Chamber Insider Updates: A video communication initiative that delivers bi-monthly updates from the President & CEO, offering a fresh, engaging way to share news and opportunities with Chamber members. This initiative has garnered significant engagement and strengthened member connections.

"This recognition is a testament to the innovative spirit and hard work of our staff, volunteers, and members," said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. "These awards highlight our commitment to enhancing the value we provide to our members and our dedication to fostering a thriving business community in Bloomington."
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The ICEA Innovation Excellence Awards celebrate creative and impactful new projects that have been implemented over the past year. Winning three awards in this category is a notable achievement that underscores the Chamber's focus on growth, effectiveness, and relevance.

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 is proud to announce its selection as a semi-finalist for the Indiana Chamber Executive Association (ICEA) 2024 Chamber of the Year Award. This prestigious recognition places the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce among the top eight chambers in Indiana.
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In addition to this honor, the Chamber is also a semi-finalist for five Innovation Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate innovative projects and initiatives that have made a significant impact over the past year. The nominated projects include:

• The Success School's Career Cruise
• Ambassador Program
• Connect Bloomington
• New Member Onboarding & Retention Pipelines
• Chamber Insider Updates

"The recognition as a semi-finalist for both the Chamber of the Year and multiple Innovation Excellence Awards 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. "These nominations highlight our commitment to excellence and our innovative approach to supporting and enhancing our local business community. We are honored to be recognized among the best chambers in Indiana."

The Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award acknowledges organizational excellence and offers a unique opportunity for chambers to benchmark their strengths against peers. The Innovation Excellence Awards celebrate creative and impactful new projects that have been implemented over the past year.
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The winners will be announced at the ICEA Annual Conference, scheduled for June 13th. The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce looks forward to the opportunity to showcase its achievements and continue its mission of advocating for business, promoting community, and providing valuable resources to its members.

​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 is excited to announce it is now accepting nominations for the 14th Annual Women Excel Bloomington (WEB). 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, August 22nd 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:

• The nominees must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Chamber membership is not required; EXCEPT for nominees who live outside of Monroe County, who must be a Chamber member in good standing.
• Nominees cannot be a previous WEB award winner (a full list is available on our website).
• Nominees should balance their professional contributions with demonstrated leadership through community service or in volunteer capacities outside of their occupational obligations.

 
"The Women Excel Bloomington Awards highlight the incredible achievements of women who make a significant impact in our community," said Eric Spoonmore, President and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. "These women not only excel in their professional roles but also inspire others through their dedication and leadership. We look forward to honoring their contributions and celebrating their successes."
 
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 Monday, July 1, 2024 at 5:00p.m.

​The Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business will state-wide tour, Futurecast: Economic Outlook, will come to Bloomington, Ind. on November 9th at the Monroe Convention Center for the 2024 economic forecast in partnership with The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and the Bloomington Rotary Club. The tour will begin in Indianapolis, Ind. beginning November 1st, 2023.

The Kelley School of Business based on research its Indiana Business Research Center, has been sharing its economic forecasts throughout the state of Indiana for the past 50 years, which has provided crucial economic information needed by many Indiana businesses, government, and nonprofit organizations. This event, previously known as Business Outlook, gives the audience a chance to hear and interact with several of the state's leading economic thinkers as they discuss how the changing economic environment will affect the local region, Indiana, and the nation in the coming year.

“The annual Futurecast event gives our community an inside look into the leading economic research and data analysis at IU’s Kelley School of Business,” said Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Eric Spoonmore. “We are delighted to partner with the Kelley School of Business and the Bloomington Rotary Club to inform our member organizations on the current economic conditions that can guide strategic decision-making in the year ahead.”  ​