Presenting Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce celebrates entrepreneurship and is excited to hold the annual Small Business Awards. This annual program offers well-deserved recognition to small businesses for their achievements and contributions to our community by offering the opportunity to showcase their company, share their story and be rewarded for their efforts. 

 Awards Overview

• The Awards offer recognition to small companies for their success and contributions to the community
• The Awards provide the opportunity to showcase indiviudal companies and the story behind their success
• The Awards promote awareness and visibility of small businesses throughout the Wichita Metro area
   

Business Criteria for Participation

• Headquartered in Wichita Metro area
• Employ between 1-25 FTE for Tier One, or 26-100 FTE for Tier Two
• Have been in business for at least three years
• Demonstrate a commitment to good business practices
• Maintain good employee relations
• Contribute to the community
• Have primary source of revenues from business operations, rather than grants, donors, or governmental funding. Not-for-profits may be eligible to apply if they meet this criteria
• Be a member in good standing of the Wichita Chamber at the time of application

Awards Luncheon
11:15 AM – 1:15 PM
Wednesday, May 1, 2013   
Hyatt Regency Wichita

Register here!

TIER ONE (1-25 employees)
Advocate Care Services
CIG Insurance
Great Plains Communications
Group Benefit Specialists
Next Element Consulting
  

TIER TWO (26-100 employees)
Alltite
ARSI
Cybertron International
Eric Fisher Academy
Mid-America Orthopedics
 

2005 - NCRI - National Catastrophe Restoration Inc

2006 - iSi Environmental Services

2007 - Aerospace Systems and Components, Inc

2008 -  Tier One: Intake Studio
              Tier Two: Ink Commercial Contractors, LLC

2009 -  Tier One: Eberly Farm
              Tier Two: The Print Source, Inc

2010 - Tier One: Professional Software, Inc.
             TIer Two: PWI, Inc.

2011 - Tier One: Occidental Management
              Tier Two: J.R. Custom Metal Products

2012 - Tier One: Profit Builders
             Tier Two: Hyspeco

Isn't my company too small to win?

No company is too small.  The 2 Tiers were created to allow judges to better assess smaller and micro business for their uniqueness.  Intake Studio was named 2008 Small Business of the Year with only 6 full-time employees.

If I’m not named a finalist I have wasted my time in applying for the award.

Not true!  All applicants for the award receive publicity at the Small Business Showcase and on The Chamber’s web site.  The showcase provides a wonderful opportunity to network and show off your business.  And don't forget how important being nominated can be for your employees.  Use the opportunity to highlight their contributions to your  success.

How will my small company's community service and employee benefits compete with those of the larger companies?

The judges take the size of the business into consideration when assessing these areas.  We have seen many innovative ways of supporting the community or providing employee benefits within a micro business.  Think about what makes your business a community asset and a positive environment to work.  Community support and employee benefits aren't always measured by dollars.

What happens to the financial information that is requested?

The application requires submission of percent of revenue, profitability, and employee growth for a three year period. All applications remain confidential – only the judges have access to the information.  Finalists for the Award will be required to submit an income statement and balance sheet for confidential review by an unbiased accounting firm.  The auditor will review the information and provide the Chamber will a "thumbs up or down" on whether that business is financially secure enough to be in consideration of being a finalist.  The Chamber and Awards judges will not see this information.  After review, the auditor will destroy the information.  A business may ask to have the information returned to them. 

Can I talk with past winners to get their opinions?

Absolutely.  We have a committee of past Award recipients who would be happy to share their experience with you and offer advice. Please contact Angie Elliott at 316-268-1129 for more information.