PRESS RELEASE: Bloomington Chamber Announces 2026 Annual Meeting & Community Award Recipients

​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of this year’s prestigious community and business awards, to be celebrated at the 111th Annual Meeting & Community Awards, presented by Old National Bank, on Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, at the Bloomington Convention Center.

This year’s awards and winners are:
New Business of the Year: Wild Birds Unlimited
Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for less than five years.

Business of the Year: Bell Trace Senior Living Community
Recognizes a business or organization that has existed for five years or more.

Community Anchor: Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
Recognizes a business or organization that has contributed positively to the local community over a sustained period.

4 Under 40 Awards: Kylie Farris (Monroe County Clerk’s Office), Kiley Jarrett (Bloomington High School North), Wyatt Lawson (Community Justice and Mediation Center), and Victoria Wisley (Bruster’s Ice Cream)
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: Lisa Beeman (Edgewood Junior High School), Heather Kensek (Edgewood Early Childhood), Andrea McCadden (Highland Park Elementary School), Amy Rickert (Batchelor Middle School), Brian Rosenburgh (Edgewood High School), and Jamie Tremblay (Arlington Elementary School)
Outstanding Educator Lifetime Achievement Awards: Dirk Ackerman (Edgewood High School), Mary Wicker (Fairview Elementary 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.

Lifetime Achievement: Darby A. McCarty (Smithville)
Recognizes individuals who have had a measurable impact on our community over a sustained period.

In addition to the award recipients announced today, Chamber members who attended Business After Hours events throughout the 2025–2026 fiscal year are currently voting for the “Best of the Best” Business After Hours host, with the winner to be revealed during the Annual Meeting. The Chamber is also collecting employer and employee feedback for its Best Places to Work recognition through August 28, with those honorees to be announced separately in the coming weeks.

“Our Annual Meeting is really a celebration of the people and organizations who make Bloomington and Monroe County a great place to do business and call home,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s honorees have built businesses, strengthened organizations, invested in people, and given back to our community in meaningful ways. We’re excited to recognize what they’ve accomplished and the example they continue to set for our community.”

The Annual Meeting & Community Awards, presented by Old National Bank, is the Chamber’s premier event—bringing together business and civic leaders for an evening of celebration, insight, and connection. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the program starting at 7:00 p.m.
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For more information or to register, contact the Chamber at (812) 336‐3681 or visit ChamberBloomington.org.

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