Traverse Connect Business and Community Achievement Awards

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, 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.

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 5 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.

A new, stand out business in the Grand Traverse region 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.