Will you be among the 1,500-plus people celebrating inspiring people and places at the Indiana Chamber’s signature event?

The New York Times #1 best-selling author of Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis will headline the 29th Annual Awards Dinner on November 13.

In the book, J.D. Vance offers his depiction of growing up in Appalachia and an analysis of the cultural and family trials that come with poverty, substance abuse and industry decline. Released in 2016, the book provided timely perspective on the rise of political populism and the growing concerns of many Americans. Read JD Vance’s full bio.

Presented by Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, the Annual Awards Dinner will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.

Rising Up.

The evening will feature presentation of four awards, with a new twist: Winners will be revealed in the weeks leading up to the event in September. Look for announcements of the following honorees and help recognize them in November:

  • Ogletree Deakins Business Leader of the Year
  • Government Leader of the Year
  • Dynamic Leader of the Year
  • Community of the Year

Rising Up.

Want a sneak peak of what Vance has in store? Check out the Q&A in the September-October edition of BizVoice®, the Indiana Chamber’s award-winning business magazine (available online and via the print edition on August 30). Here’s an excerpt:

BV: What type of changes have you seen in economic development from a regional perspective?

Vance: “You definitely see a broad recognition that people have to rethink economic development so that their towns and cities are not left behind. Whether that’s improving infrastructure or increasing educational choice, there is a pretty broad recognition that people need to participate meaningfully in the modern economy and if you want to do that, you have to rethink some of the ways you have been doing things. … In some ways, thinking about economic development as the sum of the parts that can add up to a more cohesive and prosperous whole is one of the trends that I like and am pretty excited about.”

Purchase tables of 10 or individual tickets at www.indianachamber.com/ad or by calling Nick at
(800) 824-6885. Seating is limited.

The opening reception sponsor is PNC. The speaker reception sponsor is Hirons Advertising, Public Relations, Digital.

Corporate sponsors are AT&T Indiana; CBRE; French Lick Resort; NIPSCO; OneAmerica; Tilson; and Zimmer Biomet.

Contributing sponsors are AECOM Hunt; Allison Transmission; Community Health Network; Disher; DowAgroSciences; FedEx; Fineline Printing Group; IGT Indiana; Indiana Soybean Alliance/Indiana Corn Marketing Council; Indiana Wesleyan University; Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick; KERAMIDA Inc.; The Kroger Co; Markey’s Rental & Staging; MCM CPAs & Advisors; Pacers Sports & Entertainment; Roche Diagnostics Corporation; Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.; Vectren; Vera Bradley; WFYI Productions; and WGU Indiana.

Additional sponsorships are available by contacting Jim Wagner at (317) 264-6876.