(FLINT, Mich. – Sept. 28, 2016) The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau will recognize business excellence and community leadership with the third-annual Art of Achievement Awards. Nominations are open for the area’s premier awards celebration.

The Art of Achievement honors outstanding business and community leadership in Flint & Genesee. Nominations for 2016 are being sought in the following business and hospitality categories:

Business Awards

• CEO Business Award – Any company with 50 or more employees working to have a positive impact in Flint & Genesee.
• Small Business Award – Any company with less than 50 employees working to have a positive impact in Flint & Genesee.
• Minority Owned Business Award – Any minority-owned business working to have a positive impact in Flint & Genesee.
• Claire M. White Award – Honoring a woman working for the betterment of Flint & Genesee in community, career or someone else’s life.
• Young Professional Leader Award – Any young professional 35 or younger making great strides to benefit their company and/or the community.
• Nonprofit Impact Award – Any charity, church or nonprofit making great strides to positively impact any facet of the Flint & Genesee community.

Hospitality Awards

• Gloria J. DeHart Award – Exemplifies an individual or organization who has worked to improve Flint & Genesee in the eyes of the hospitality community, creating a positive impact and perception of Flint & Genesee.
• Hospitality Ambassador Award – Recognizes exemplary customer service in the non-hotel areas of food service, bartender, transportation, business, etc.
• Frontline Ambassador Award – Recognizes a hospitality worker within a Genesee County hotel who provided outstanding service to guests staying at their establishment.
• Restaurant of the Year – Recognizes a Genesee County restaurant for their outstanding service, menu and overall experience of the customer.
• Hotel of the Year – Recognizes a Genesee County hotel for outstanding service, comfort and attention to hotel guests, providing an excellent overall experience.
• Community Champion Award – Recognizes a local resident who worked with the Flint & Genesee CVB staff to bring a meeting into Genesee County that had the highest economic impact in terms of attendees and overnight rooms.

“This is a community-wide celebration of the accomplishments that are helping to move Flint forward,” said Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “So we want to hear from our members, as well as from members of the community at-large, about who’s most deserving of this recognition.”

Nominations are open to for-profit businesses, nonprofits and individuals in Genesee County, and are due Oct. 21 via online submission. Self-nomination is also permissible.

“Art of Achievement is also a great way for businesses to promote their brand through sponsorships,” Herman said.

This year’s awards will be presented Nov. 15 at the Flint Institute of Arts, located on the Flint Cultural Center campus. Gallery will be open for browsing during the event. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online here.

For more information about the awards and sponsorships, contact Heather Kale at (810) 600-1427 or .