Alliance plans awards to honor small businesses
The Birmingham News
Business section
February 2, 2011
The Birmingham Business Alliance is looking for a few good businesses.
The regional chamber of commerce and economic development agency today is to begin accepting nominations for nine small business awards, which are part of an expanded regional Small Business Week celebration.
Richard Wallace, chairman of the BBA's Small Business Committee, said events will include an expo and business summit on May 17 at the downtown Sheraton Hotel, and an awards ceremony May 18 at the Summit shopping center's Saks 5th Avenue store.
The events and awards are intended to align with the goals of Blueprint Birmingham, a five-year strategic plan introduced by the BBA in September, and will help small companies find new opportunities, he said.
"There are a lot of companies that want to grow, but they're not aware of their options," said Wallace, who is managing director of Organizational Success Management, a Birmingham-based consulting firm.
"It's about helping companies launch, better develop and grow," he said.
Winners of the small business awards will get networking opportunities with community business leaders, and may win business services, he said.
In addition to the small business awards, a new award for a large business that actively benefits the community's small businesses, called the Small Business Champion Award, will be bestowed, said Wallace and BBA spokesman Dave Rickey.
"Whether you're a large, small or medium-sized business, we all depend on one another," Wallace said.
Expo ticket prices and fees for participants in the expo have not been determined. Efforts are under way to secure a keynote speaker for the event. There is no fee for nominating a business for an award.
The Birmingham News is presenting sponsor.
Stan Diel can be reached at sdiel@bhamnews.com.