Best Places to Work in Indiana 2008
Annual program honoring the top companies in the state as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. Winners selected and ranked from two categories: small to medium-sized companies of between 25 and 249 employees, and large-sized companies consisting of 250 or more employees. Out-of-state parent companies eligible to participate if at least 25 full-time employees are in Indiana.

• Applications accepted: TBD for 2009
• Application form: available at http://www.bestplacestoworkIN.com during application period
• List of Best Places to Work in Indiana companies announced late February/early March 2008
• Rankings of Best Places to Work in Indiana companies announced at award dinner on May 7, 2008 (in Indianapolis)

Click here to view the 2007 Best Places to Work in Indiana as ranked on May 2.

Small Business of the Year 2008
Annual honor for the state’s Small Business of the Year and award finalists. Honor open to all Hoosier businesses with 250 employees or fewer. Indiana companies that can demonstrate best practices in business sustainability and growth, commitment to employees and a track record of community involvement are encouraged to apply. Nominations can be by self-nomination or from outside the company.

• Applications accepted: TBD for 2009
• Application form: click here
• Award winner announced Jamuary 22, 2008 at Small Business Day at the Statehouse awards luncheon (in Indianapolis)

Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards 2008
Annual awards are a result of a partnership among the Indiana Department of Labor, on behalf of Gov. Mitch Daniels, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. Focus is on best practices for eliminating job-related accidents and illnesses, and saluting those organizations for which safety is the top workplace priority.

Awards are offered in four categories: innovations, partnerships, education and outreach, and construction (residential, specialty contractor or general contractor.) The safety awards are open to all organizations, regardless of size or number of workers affected. All Hoosier businesses, unions, municipalities, schools, service organizations, nonprofit organizations or individuals are eligible to apply for the awards. To qualify, a company must be deemed to be free of compliance disputes concerning all applicable local, state and federal statutes and regulations.

• Applications accepted: TBD for 2009
• Application form: available here or at http://www.insafetyconf.com/ during application period
• Award winners announced February 27, 2008, at Annual Indiana Safety and Health Conference & Expo luncheon (in Indianapolis)

Employer of the Year 2007 – Indiana INTERNnet IMPACT Award
Annual award given to employer who embodies innovative approach to an internship program, offers meaningful project work, plus provides student with professional mentor and networking opportunities.

• Applications accepted: July 15 to August 15, 2007
• Application form: available here during application period
• Award winner announced November 8, 2007, at Chamber’s Annual Awards Luncheon (in Indianapolis)

Community of the Year 2008
Annual award honoring a deserving Hoosier community for significant contributions to its local business climate and overall image. Past recipients of the prestigious award include Evansville, LaPorte, Muncie, Warsaw, Fort Wayne, Bluffton, Muncie, Columbus, St. Joseph County, Kendallville, Indianapolis, Elkhart, Batesville, Rochester, Jeffersonville and Lafayette.

• Applications accepted: Through June 18, 2008
• Application form: click here
• Award winner announced November 6, 2008, at Chamber’s 19th Annual Awards Dinner (in Indianapolis)

Indiana’s Best Buys (Public High Schools)
Annual listing of high schools offering the highest educational achievement levels for the lowest amount of tax dollars. No application process necessary. All Indiana public high schools (with available data) are included. The goal of the Best Buys report is to celebrate and encourage excellence in Indiana schools. It is designed to accentuate the positive aspects of Indiana’s schools and point out areas in which improvement may be made.

• 2007 Best Buy schools announced December 12, in press release (on homepage under Chamber News) and report (available at www.indianachamber.com/bestbuys/)
• 2008 Best Buys announced in mid-November

HR Professional of the Year 2008
Annual award open to all full-time human resources practitioners in Indiana. Individuals who have made significant contributions to their company/organization over the past year through implementation of best practices, organization design and effectiveness, and alignment and accomplishment of the strategic direction of their company are encouraged to apply. Nominees for Ogletree Deakins/HR Dimensions.HR Professional of the Year should also have a proven track record of giving back to the community and the HR profession. Nominations can be by self-nomination, peer, subordinate, supervisor or other, but must be accompanied by a sponsorship letter from the nominee’s organization.

• Applications accepted: Through August 1, 2008
• Application form: click here
• Award winner announced October 2008 at luncheon (in Indianapolis)

Career Services Professional of the Year 2008 – Indiana INTERNnet IMPACT Award
Annual award given to a career services professional for assisting students with their internship opportunities, communication with students/employers and coaching students on internship professionalism and career development.

• Applications accepted: TBD for 2008
• Application form: available here during application period
• Award winner announced later in the year at TBD Chamber event (in Indianapolis)

Intern of the Year 2008 – Indiana INTERNnet IMPACT Award
Annual award given to a student based on contribution to employer’s business, demonstrated leadership skills during internship and professionalism.

• Applications accepted: TBD for 2008
• Application form: available here during application period
• Award winner announced later in the year at TBD Chamber event (in Indianapolis)