The Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce SPOTLIGHT Awards is an annual recognition of business, nonprofit and individual leaders in the Auburn Area, who work tirelessly to improve our communities and help our region thrive as a center of economic activity and social leadership in the South Puget Sound region.
AWARD CATEGORIES
CONNECT Achieve Award | Recognizing an Educator who has excelled in creating, implementing or supporting a high-caliber education and/or workforce development system aligned with closing the employment gap. (2020 Award Sponsor: Green River College)
Auburn Area CONNECT Award | Recognizing a business or individual whose services has positively connected Auburn Area businesses and/or the community. (2020 Award Sponsor: ICON Materials)
CONNECT Business Sustainability Award | Recognizing a business successfully implementing innovative ways of safeguarding employees, communities, and the environment while also contributing to the local economic and social health to reduce the impact on resources globally. (2020 Award Sponsor: MultiCare)
CONNECT Impact Award | Recognizing a business that has had a significant cause-oriented impact in its sector and/or community and contributed to the advancement of the economy. (2020 Award Sponsor: Boeing)
CONNECT Entrepreneur of the Year | Recognizing an entrepreneur whose business is less than five-years-old and has made a significant impact in their industry and/or the Auburn Area. (2020 Award Sponsor: Cornerstone Benefits Consulting Group)
CONNECT Diversity & Equity-Centered Business of the Year | Recognizing an Auburn business or agency that has made an impactful commitment to embrace diversity in their workplace, implement equity-centered partnerships, and create inclusive community connections. (2020 Award Sponsor: City of Auburn)
CONNECT Employer of the Year | Recognizing an employer who has implemented innovative job retention, creation, benefits, and/or compensation plans that foster a thriving work environment in the Auburn Area. (2020 Award Sponsor: Emerald Aire, Inc.)
CONNECT Woman Leader of the Year | Recognizing a woman business leader that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by women leaders in the Auburn Area. (2020 Award Sponsor: The Outlet Collection | Seattle)
CONNECT Nonprofit of the Year | Recognizing the success of a nonprofit organization in the Auburn Area. (2020 Award Sponsor: Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound)
Bill Kyle Award | Recognizing an individual who has contributed outstanding advocacy and legislative impact in the Auburn Area.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Nominations will be accepted through September 18th, 2020. All nominations must be emailed to accounts@auburnareawa.org.
- Nominations must include the following information:
- Name of the business or individual nominated
- The CONNECT award for which you are submitting the nomination
- The name of a business nominee's point of contact
- Nominee's email address & phone number
- Your name & email address
- A statement of nomination describing the business or individual's work in the Auburn Area and the reasons for which you are submitting their name for a CONNECT Award (no longer than 750 words).
CLICK HERE to access a PDF version of the CONNECT Award nomination form. Electronic copies of the completed nomination form can be submitted by email to accounts@auburnareawa.org.
*Note: One winner will be selected in each category.
2020 CONNECT SPOTLIGHT AWARD SPONSORS
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Auburn Area CONNECT Chamber of Commerce is offering business sponsorship packages for Auburn Area businesses interested in supporting the 2020 SPOTLIGHT Awards program. This is your chance to help us honor fellow business members in the Auburn Area! The sponsorship package benefits are detailed below. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, send your completed sponsorship form (CLICK HERE to download) to auburncc@auburnareawa.org by October 8th, 2020.
2019 Auburn Area CONNECT Spotlight Award Winners
CONNECT Achieve Award: Dr. Suzanne Johnson, Green River College
Auburn Area CONNECT Award: Auburn Police Department
CONNECT Environmental Practices Award: MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
CONNECT Impact Award: Orion Industries
CONNECT Entrepreneur Award: Blackfish Spirits Distillery
CONNECT Minority Owned Award: Reggie Matto, Clarion Hotel Auburn
CONNECT Employer of the Year: Emeral Aire Inc.
Auburn Area Woman Leader of the Year Award: Brittany Karlson, Vinifera/Auburn Downtown Association
CONNECT Nonprofit of the Year Award: Battlefield Addiction
Bill Kyle Award: Mayor Leanne Guier, City of Pacific
