Message From the CEO

Chris Hembrough President and CEO

Small businesses, however you define them, play a vital role in our local economy. Over 90 percent of all businesses in the US have 25 employees or less. Eighty percent of our local Chamber members have 25 employees or less. Small businesses continue to be incubators for entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment growth.

Small businesses are at the heart of our economy, which is why The Chamber will host the 35th Annual Small Business Awards event on October 21st, recognizing the contributions of our small businesses to our community and local economy. However, due to continuing concerns related to COVID-19, coupled with the fact that the health of our members, employees, and the community at-large are our top priority, we will deliver the Small Business Awards event in a hybrid format with nominees and major sponsors attending in person, and all others joining us virtually.

The event, presented by Hickory Point Bank for the 19th consecutive year, will recognize 28 nominees. Of those, four outstanding community entrepreneurs and leaders will receive the following awards:

Not-for-Profit Business Director of the Year

- recognizes an executive of a not-for-profit organization who has demonstrated the innovative use of organizational skills and management expertise to create or expand the organization’s service to the needs of the community.

New & Emerging Business Owner of the

Year - recognizes a business owner whose company has been in business for a minimum of one (1) year but less than four (4) years and has demonstrated outstanding performance through innovation, growth, staying power and contributions to the community.

Small Business Owner of the Year - recognizes a business owner whose company has been in business for a minimum of four (4) years and has demonstrated a significant level of success and contributions to the community.

Advocacy

Lifetime Award Business Owner of the

Year - recognizes a business owner whose for-profit company has been in business in Sangamon County for a minimum of 25 years and who has made significant contributions to commerce and the community.

Congratulations to this year’s Small Business Awards nominees. The Chamber honors all small businesses who work tirelessly to make Springfield and Sangamon County a better place to live, work, and raise families. Small businesses are critical to our economy and the heart and soul of our community. They bring character, local flavor, personal service - and they create jobs. The full list of our 2020 nominees can be found on pages 8 - 12. I look forward to October 21st and congratulating this year’s awards recipients.

I hope you will register and join us virtually as we celebrate with our nominees and the award recipients. As always, we are grateful for our partnership and the privilege to serve you. Thank you for your investment in membership, the work of The Chamber, and the community at-

Chamber’s Core Functions

large. As a significant voice of business, we support legislative policies and practices conducive for a thriving business community and local economy, and oppose those that are not.

Business Resources & Support We connect local businesses to resources that reduce barriers to growth and expansion.

Leadership & Professional Development We offer opportunities for professional growth and leadership development to members and their employees.

Visibility & Connections That Matter We provide marketing, programming and relationship-building opportunities to help members make strategic connections.