Indiana Chamber of Commerce Awards Programs

Employees celebrate at our annual Best Places to Work event.

Award Programs

Company Honors

Community Honor

Individual Honors

Company Honors

Best Places to Work in Indiana

Annual program honoring the top companies in the state as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys. Winners selected and ranked from four categories: small companies of between 15 and 74 U.S. employees; medium companies of between 75 and 249 U.S. employees; large companies of between 250 and 999 U.S. employees; and major companies with 1,000 or more U.S. employees. Out-of-state parent companies eligible to participate if at least 15 full-time employees are in Indiana.

  • Program registration: 2024 program enrollment is now open.
  • Application form: available here during the application period
  • List of 2024 companies will be announced in February; rankings revealed and awards presented at May 8, 2024 event

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Jackson Lewis Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion Award

The Jackson Lewis Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion Award will recognize the work that is positively impacting the state of Indiana. Show us how DEI are woven into the fabric of your organization’s mission and values.

As you lead the charge on diversity, organizational transparency and social good, we want to see how you developed, promoted and executed in DEI, and how it has made a difference for your organization – and beyond.

This awards program will celebrate the hard work you and your team put into the important challenge of promoting a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace culture.

The 2023 applications are now closed.
The award winner will be announced at the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit on October 3, 2023

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Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards

Annual awards are a result of a partnership among the Indiana Department of Labor, on behalf of the Governor, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. 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.

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Employer of the Year – Work and Learn Indiana IMPACT Award

Annual award given to a non-profit and for-profit employer who embodies innovative approach to an internship program, offers meaningful project work, plus provides student with professional mentor and networking opportunities.

  • Nominations are open. The deadline is November 18, 2022
  • Nomination form
  • Award winners announced at the inaugural Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit featuring the 17th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon in February 2023

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Indiana Best Places to Work in Manufacturing

The Indiana Chamber is excited to announce a new program to celebrate the manufacturing industry and the great things they are doing for their employees and the state. You can now participate in the Indiana Best Places to Work in Manufacturing program! Enroll is this awards program that honors the top manufacturing companies in the state as determined through employer reports and comprehensive employee surveys.

  • Applications are now closed.
  • 2023 list will be announced in October; rankings revealed and awards presented at the awards luncheon on December 13, 2023

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Community Honor

NextEra Energy Resources Community of the Year

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 Carmel, Anderson, Evansville, LaPorte, Muncie, Warsaw, Fort Wayne, Bluffton, Muncie, Columbus, St. Joseph County, Kendallville, Indianapolis, Elkhart, Batesville, Rochester, Jeffersonville, Lafayette, Noblesville, Valparaiso, Terre Haute, Kokomo, Bedford, Bloomington, Fishers, Goshen, Jasper and Columbus.

  • Nominations are now open. Submit yours by June 3.
  • Award winner announced August/September and presented honor November 13, 2024, at the Chamber’s 35th Annual Awards Dinner (in Indianapolis)

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Individual Honors

Ogletree Deakins Human Resources Professional of the Year

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 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.

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Ogletree Deakins Business Leader of the Year

Honors an Indiana business leader who has demonstrated excellence in enhancing both their own organization and the broader business community through industry expertise and leadership.

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Birch Bayh-Richard Lugar Government Leader of the Year

Spotlights a government leader who has displayed dedication to advancing the business environment in the state of Indiana.

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Yamaha Dynamic Leader of the Year

Recognizes a leader who is working toward achieving goals outlined in the Indiana Vision 2025 economic development plan, particularly the Dynamic and Creative Culture driver that focuses on entrepreneurship and new business creation or expansion.

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Young Professional of the Year

Honors a young leader who has positively contributed to the Hoosier business landscape this year.

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Career Development Professional of the Year – Work and Learn Indiana IMPACT Award

Annual award given to a high school and a college/university education career services professional for assisting students with internship opportunities, communication with students/employers and coaching students on internship professionalism and career development.

  • Nominations are open. The deadline is November 18, 2022
  • Nomination form
  • Award winners announced at the inaugural Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit featuring the 17th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon in February 2023

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Intern of the Year – Work and Learn Indiana IMPACT Award

Annual award given to a high school student, college student and non-student intern based on contribution to employer’s business, demonstrated leadership skills during internship and professionalism.

  • Nominations are open. The deadline is November 18, 2022
  • Nomination form
  • Award winners announced at the annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon in February 2023

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Intern Supervisor of the Year – Work and Learn Indiana IMPACT Award

Interns, career development professionals or employee colleagues may nominate internship supervisors (including managers and mentors) who work directly with interns whom they feel warrant recognition for their performance on the job.

  • Nominations accepted: closed for 2021 honor
  • Nominations are open. The deadline is November 18, 2022
  • Award winners announced at the inaugural Work-Based Learning IMPACT Summit featuring the 17th Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon in February 2023

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Everyday Safety Hero Award

Annual award is a result of a partnership among the Indiana Department of Labor, on behalf of the Governor, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. Award given to individual who has championed workplace safety and health excellence in their respective workplace. The nominee is not required to be a safety or health professional. In fact, this award looks to acknowledge and recognize the contributions, participation, and impact that a frontline employee plays in Hoosier workplace safety and health.

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