Annual Gala

Saturday, January 26, 2019
DoubleTree by Hilton, Bloomington
5:00pm – Cocktails
6:30pm – Program & Awards Ceremony

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the contributions and accomplishments of its members on Saturday, January 26, 2019 with the presentation of our annual Business Excellence Awards. 

Judged and selected by chamber executives from across our state, the winners of these prestigious awards honor member businesses, agencies, and individuals that have shown outstanding performance, quality customer service and business distinctiveness in six categories:  New and Emerging Business Excellence, Micro Business Excellence, Small Business Excellence, Large Business Excellence, Nonprofit Excellence, and Legacy of Excellence. 

2018 Business Excellence Award Nominations are Now Open

New and Emerging Business Excellence

Click here to submit your nomination

**New for 2018** 

The New and Emerging Business Award is presented to a member business in McLean County with growing success. Eligible businesses must be new to McLean County and exhibit excellence in business practices, community service and employee relations. They’re a growing business that is making their mark in McLean County through engagement with the Chamber and other service organizations, providing new job opportunities, and have proven business growth.  Eligible businesses must have 5 or more employees

Micro Business Excellence

Click here to submit your nomination

The Micro Business Excellence Award is presented to a member business that has achieved outstanding business performance by providing quality personalized service to customers and clients and business distinctiveness with 5 employees or less. Previous winners of the Micro Business Excellence Award include: Sweenz, Inc, The Hile Group, Shoo Shoo Baby, A. Renée, Viva La Flora, Kelly's Bakery & Cafe, PRIDESTAFF, Specs Around Town, and Red Raccoon Games.

Small Business Excellence

Click here to submit your nomination

The Small Business Excellence Award is presented to a member business that has achieved outstanding business performance, quality personalized service to customers and clients and business distinctiveness with 6 to 50 employees. Previous winners of the Small Business Excellence Award include: Cybernautic, Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, The Coffee Hound, The Great Display Company, Business Builders, CM Promotions, , Fort Jesse Imaging Center & Gale Keeran Center for Women, First Farmer’s State Bank, and Abbey Placements.

Large Business Excellence

Click here to submit your nomination

The Large Business Excellence Award is presented to a member business that has achieved outstanding business performance through quality personalized service to customers and clients and business distinctiveness with 51 or more employees. Previous winners of the Large Business Excellence Award include: Commerce Bank, The Snyder Companies, Little Jewels Learning Center, Nicor Gas, Farnsworth Group, Busey Bank' McDonald’s Restaurants, and Heartland Community College.

Nonprofit Excellence

Click here to submit your nomination

The Nonprofit Agency Excellence Award honors an outstanding local 501(C)3 agency that demonstrates an ability to meet special community needs. Previous winners of the Nonprofit Agency Excellence Award include: The Baby Fold, Luther Oaks, Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, Marcfirst, Easter Seals, Illinois Heart & Lung Foundation, Ecology Action Center, Faith in Action, and Mid Central Community Action.

Legacy of Excellence

Click here to submit your nomination

The Legacy of Excellence Award celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of its recipient and is considered the most prestigious Chamber Award, recognizing an individual for their personal or business efforts, sharing their time and expertise, making the McLean County area a better place. Previous winners of the Legacy of Excellence Award include: Donald Meyer, Evelyn Young, Roger Hunt, Jack Snyder, Sonja Reece, Tom Mercier, Jerome Maddox and Larry H. Dietz.

Congratulations to the 2017 Business Excellence Award Winners!

Micro Business Excellence Award Winner:  Red Raccoon Games

Small Business Excellence Award Winner:  Abbey Placements

Large Business Excellence Award Winner:  Heartland Community College

Nonprofit Excellence Award Winner:  Mid Central Community Action

Green Excellence Award Winner:  Connect Transit 

Legacy of Excellence Award Winner:  Larry H. Dietz

Photos from throughout the event can be found below.
Videos from throughout the evening including all acceptance speeches are available above.  Click on the business name.