The Omaha 25 Awards Luncheon recognizes Greater Omaha area businesses for their contributions to the positive growth of our business community. The twenty-five awards are presented in several categories. Recipients are selected from nominations of Chamber members, based on a variety of criteria.

The awards include the Corporate Citizenship Award, the Emerging Business of the Year Award, the Minority Business of the Year Award, the Nonprofit Organization of the Year Awards, the Small Business of the Year Award, the Women in Leadership Award, Golden Spike Awards and the Excellence in Business Awards.

The following recipients will be recognized at an 11:45 a.m. luncheon on May 12 at Holiday Inn Omaha Convention Center, 3321 S. 72nd St.:

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Bozell

The Corporate Citizenship Award recognizes an organization whose philosophy of giving has made a significant impact on the Omaha metropolitan community’s health and well being. The award was created to encourage and support corporate social responsibility.

The Corporate Citizenship Award is sponsored by FirstComp.

EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Veteran Defense Services, Inc.

The Emerging Business of the Year Award recognizes a successful business start-up that has laid the foundation for future growth and achievement by developing sound business strategy and practices.

MINORITY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
ProKarma, Inc.

The Minority Business of the Year Award recognizes a successful ethnic minority-owned firm that has demonstrated business growth and contributions to the community.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Social Settlement and Uta Halee Girls Village, Inc.

The Nonprofit Organization of the Year Awards recognize organizations for their excellent stewardship of resources and exceptional outcomes.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Rockbrook Village Shopping Center, Inc.

This award is chosen from the 2008 Small Business of the Month Award winners. This business is recognized for its commitment to strong customer service and community involvement.
The Small Business of the Month and Year Awards are sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Adrian Minks, Omaha Public Power District

The Women in Leadership Award recognizes and honors women leaders who have excelled in their chosen field, devoted time and energy to strengthen and transform the community and mentor and develop others.

GOLDEN SPIKE AWARDS
Anthony’s Steakhouse & Ozone Lounge
Farmers National Company
Hillcrest Health Systems, Inc.
Jensen Tire & Auto
Markel BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar & Mini
Renze Display

This award recognizes businesses or industries that boost economic development and the stability in all areas of metropolitan Omaha. These recipients have expanded their businesses through capital improvements, expanded operations or added jobs over the past five years and have an operating history of at least 10 years.

The Golden Spike Awards are sponsored by Northwest Bank.

EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS
CoSentry
CSSS.NET
Hemphill Staffing Solutions, Inc.
Holmes Murphy
Lifespan Technology Recycling
Merchants Credit Adjusters, Inc.
Miller Electric Company
PayPal
Remcon
Right at Home, Inc.
Signature Performance, Inc.
Thrasher Basement Systems, Inc.

This award recognizes outstanding companies with an operating history of at least five years, positive revenue and payroll growth over the last three years, and demonstrates excellence in business practices.

The 2009 Omaha 25 Awards Luncheon is sponsored by KETV and SMITH HAYES Financial Services Corporation. The Corporate Citizenship Award is sponsored by FirstComp. The Golden Spike Awards are sponsored by Northwest Bank. The Small Business of the Month and Year Awards are sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.

Tickets are $40 per person and $400 per table of ten for members and $80 per person and $800 per table of ten for nonmembers. Reservations are due by Wednesday, May 6
through www.omahachamber.org/omaha25, to reservations@omahachamber.org or (402) 978-7912.

The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to increase business, investment and employment in the Greater Omaha area.

CONTACT: Karla Ewert, vice president – communications
(402) 978-7942, office or (402) 320-4559, cell
Greater Omaha Chamber
1301 Harney St. • Omaha, NE 68102 • 13206 Grover St. • Omaha, NE 68144
Phone (402) 346-5000 • Fax (402) 346-7050 OmahaChamber.org