Published: September 27, 2008 10:10 pm            

Chamber to honor business of the year

The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce again will recognize the outstanding business of the year in the Wabash Valley with the presentation of the third annual “Business, A Level Above” Award on Tuesday, the Chamber’s 95th Annual Meeting.

Key factors used to measure the accomplishments of nominated businesses, include: excellence in business ethics, product innovation and sales, excellence in leadership and entrepreneurship, marketing and promotional achievements, implementation of family-friendly business practices and demonstration of positive impacts on the community through good citizenship.

Sony DADC won the first “Business, A Level Above” Award in 2005. Other past recipients are Pfizer Inc. and Clabber Girl Corp.

The award sponsor, Vectren Corp., delivers gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million utility customers in Indiana and Ohio. Vectren has been a member of the Chamber since 1927.

In addition, the Chamber will present on Tuesday the inaugural “Vision, A Level Above” Award, sponsored by Indiana State University Foundation. This award will recognize an individual or group of individuals, an organization or business, for making significant progress toward enhancing quality-of-life issues, growth and economic development that promises future growth in our community and continues to place Terre Haute “A Level Above” other communities.

In 2006, during the inaugural presentation of the award, Maj. Gen. Martin Umbarger, adjutant general for the state of Indiana, was honored for his vision and guidance to transform the Indiana Air National Guard Base at Terre Haute International Airport/Hulman Field. Last year’s recipients included Tim Dora from Dora Hospitality and Greg Gibson, community leader for their vision in helping revitalize Downtown Terre Haute.

Indiana State University Foundation is a new sponsor for the Vision, A Level Above Award, and will be the signature sponsor of the Vision award for years to come.

Indiana State University Foundation inspires others to become involved in the life of ISU and secure the resources to ensure the university’s growth and success.

The “Business, A Level Above” and “Vision, A Level Above” Awards are presented as part of the continuing community branding initiative, “Terre Haute, A Level Above.” Through the support and efforts of several key community organizations, this initiative, first implemented in 2004, continues to showcase the many positive attributes Terre Haute has to offer.

Also during the 95th Annual Meeting, the Chamber ATHENA Award, driven by Fuson Pontiac Buick Cadillac & GMC Trucks, will be presented to an individual who has inspired women to achieve their full potential.

This person must have demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession and provided valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community. The Chamber ATHENA Award is an international program that has honored more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities across the United States, as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom.

The 2007 Chamber ATHENA Award recipient was Marla DeHart of Clabber Girl Corp.

This year's guest speaker is Joie Chitwood III, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chitwood joined the staff of IMS as senior vice president, business affairs in 2002. In 2004, he was promoted to president and now oversees its daily operations, including the Hall of Fame Museum and Brickyard Crossing Inn and Golf Course.

Networking will begin at 5:15 p.m. and the program will start promptly at 7:15.

        

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