ABOUT THE SMART CULTURE PROGRAM:
In April 2025, the Smart Culture Conference, presented by TalentLaunch, will recognize organizations that have developed a culture that bolsters productivity, enhances job satisfaction and provides a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This program will explore how culture can become an asset to drive performance, transform your organization into an employer-of-choice and ultimately impact the bottom line.
The 2025 Smart Culture Awards will spotlight leading companies in Northeast Ohio where culture plays a crucial role in a company's success. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 14, 2025.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible Smart Culture nominees must be an organization with a physical office in the Northeast Ohio region.
NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete all the information on the nomination form.
SECTION ONE Provide basic contact information about the person submitting the nomination form. This individual will likely represent the nominated company or individual or be familiar with the company’s operations.
SECTION TWO Provide basic information about the company being nominated, including size, industry and key personnel.
SECTION THREE Answer each essay question.
For more information, please contact Suzi Linn at (330)606-9476 or slinn@sbnonline.com
Nomination Deadline: Friday, May 16th
ABOUT THE SMART 50 PROGRAM:
Who are the executives leading the smartest 50 organizations in Central Ohio? Since 2014, The Smart 50 Awards, presented by Hylant will recognize the top executives of the smartest companies in the region for their ability to effectively build and lead savvy organizations.
All 50 winners will be honored as the Class of 2025 at a special celebration in August. All honorees will be asked to attend a special judging session in July to be interviewed by the judges and make their best pitch for one of three specialty awards that will be awarded for outstanding innovation, impact, and sustainability.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible Smart 50 nominees must be a top executive of an organization with a physical office in the Central Ohio region. Specialty award winners will be recognized for Innovation, Impact and Sustainability.
NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete all the information on the nomination form.
SECTION ONE: Provide basic contact information about the person who begins the nomination process. This individual will likely represent the nominated company or individual or be familiar with its operations.
SECTION TWO: Provide basic information about the person being nominated, including company size and industry.
SECTION THREE: Explain why your Nominee should be recognized with a Smart 50 award. Provide a brief description that includes the "what," "how," and "why" to support the nomination. Essays can be as short as a single paragraph or as long as necessary to fully explain to the judges the merit of your Nominee. Please keep in mind that the more specific detail provided to the judges, the greater the opportunity your Nominee will have to be recognized. Be sure to designate in which category (or categories) you would like the Nominee to be considered for the specialty award.
For more information, please contact Lisa Dore at ldore@sbnonline.com or (440) 250-7050.
ABOUT THE SMART WOMEN AWARDS
The Smart Women Awards recognize the achievements of leading businesswomen and effective women's programs. Awards will be presented in three distinct categories on July 10, 2025 at The Westin Downtown Cleveland.
CATEGORIES
1. Progressive Woman Award: Recognizes female executives or managers who have risen through the ranks in their career and overcome significant challenges along the way.
2. Progressive Organization Award: Recognizes organizations that support or promote women based initiatives, develop specific programs that provide opportunities for advancement, or create family-friendly workplaces.
3. Progressive Entrepreneur Award: Recognizes female entrepreneurs who have either founded or co-founded a for-profit business that has achieved substantial growth within the last two years due to an innovative product or service.
ELIGIBILITY
Any individual employed by a for-profit or nonprofit organization with a physical presence within the Northeast Ohio region is eligible for an award.
NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Complete all the information on the nomination form.
SECTION ONE: Provide basic contact information about the person who begins the nomination process. This individual will likely represent the nominated company or individual or be familiar with its operations.
SECTION TWO: Select the category being nominated for.
SECTION THREE: Provide basic information about the Nominee.
SECTION FOUR: Explain why your Nominee should be recognized with a Smart Women Award by answering one of the three essay questions. Essays can be as short as a single paragraph or as long as necessary to fully explain to the judges the merit of your Nominee. Please keep in mind that the more specific detail provided to the judging panel, the greater the opportunity your Nominee will have to be recognized.
Nominations will be accepted through Friday April 25, 2025.
For more information, contact Lisa Dore at (440) 610-9929 or ldore@sbnonline.com.
ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF MANUFACTURING AWARDS:
Do you know of a company on the cutting edge of manufacturing? The Evolution of Manufacturing Awards, presented by Alliance Industrial Solutions, recognizes Northern Ohio manufacturers and technology companies that have adapted to a global economy through improved operations, products or services.
Nominations will be accepted through Friday, December 23rd. Honorees will be announced in early January and recognized at the 2023 Evolution of Manufacturing Conference in February.
ELIGIBILITY:
Any business engaged in the manufacturing industry within the Northern Ohio region (Ashland, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne) is eligible for an Evolution of Manufacturing award. Consultants and nonprofit organizations are not eligible.
NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete all the information on the nomination form.
SECTION ONE Provide basic contact information about the person submitting the nomination form. This individual will likely represent the nominated company or individual or be familiar with the company’s operations.
SECTION TWO Provide basic information about the company being nominated, including size, industry and key personnel.
SECTION THREE Explain how the company has adapted to the changing manufacturing world, as well as global economy. Be specific. So tell us: How have your manufacturing operations evolved over the past decade? What challenges has your organization encountered as part of its growth and what steps have you taken to adapt to them? What makes your operations, product or management style deserving of a 2023 Evolution of Manufacturing Award?
Nominations will be accepted through December 23rd, 2022.
For more information, please contact Suzi Linn at slinn@sbnonline.com
ABOUT THE FAMILY BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:
The 2025 Family Business Achievement Awards will recognize organizations that have demonstrated best practices in keeping the business within the family for at minimum, one generational transfer (i.e. second-generation businesses or older).
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible award nominees must have a minimum of two family members involved in the organization, and be privately held. A family member is defined as siblings, spouses, children, grandchildren, or cousins. They may be from a single generation or multi-generations. Must have a physical location in Northeast Ohio.
NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Complete all the information on the nomination form.
SECTION ONE: Provide basic contact information about the person submitting the nomination form. This individual will likely represent the nominated company or individual or be familiar with the company’s operations.
SECTION TWO: Provide basic information about the company being nominated, including company size and industry.
SECTION THREE: Explain why the Nominee should be recognized with a Family Business Achievement Award. Provide a brief description that includes the "what," "how," and "why" to support the nomination. Essays can be as short as a single paragraph or as long as necessary to fully explain to the judges the merit of the Nominee. Please keep in mind that the more specific detail provided to the judges, the greater the opportunity the Nominee will have to be recognized.
The nomination deadline is through Friday June 13, 2025.
2025 award winners will be honored at the Family Business Conference in September.
For more information, please contact Suzi Linn at 330.606.9476 or slinn@sbnonline.com