100 Best Companies to Work for 2012

Minnesota Business Magazine is proud to announce the first annual Best Companies to Work for 2012, honoring Minnesota companies that are setting the standard for leadership, strong benefits, best work environment, innovative training programs, happiest employees and more.  Join us in recognizing these local companies making an impact on the state of Minnesota at an awards gala on June 4th, 2012 at The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel.  Winners will be announced in the following categories; Best Company to Work For – Small-sized Company, Best Company to Work For – Medium-sized Company, Best Company to Work For – Large-sized Company and Best Company to Work For – Nonprofit.

We are pleased to announce that Don Shelby, journalist and former WCCO reporter and television anchor will keynote and Chris Wright, President of the Minnesota Timberwolves, will act as emcee for the 2012 Best Companies to Work For awards gala.

Very few tickets remain for this event and we expect to sell out by early May. For table sponsorship and awards banquet ticket information, please contact Anne DeWolfe at 612.548.3180.

Minnesota Business Magazine’s 2012 Best Companies to Work For - Event Details

Date:
Monday, June 4
 
Location:
The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel
225 South Third Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55401
 
Parking: 
The Depot Minneapolis has a heated, underground parking structure adjacent to the hotel and only a block away from access to the downtown Minneapolis skyway. The ramp is accessible from 5th Avenue South. Parking rates are 0-1 hours - $4, 1-2 hrs - $6, 2-3 hrs - $8 and 3-12 hrs - $9.
Valet parking is also available at the front entrance of the Renaissance hotel, located on 3rd Street South. Valet rates are $28 daily.

Event Timeline:
 6:00 p.m.  The Great Hall & Winter Garden – Networking & Cocktail Reception
 7:00 p.m.  The Depot Pavilion – Dinner, Program & Awards

Emcee: Don Shelby

Don Shelby has been a reporter and television anchor for 45 years.  Before retiring from daily journalism in 2010, he worked for 32 years as anchor, investigative reporter and environmental correspondent for WCCO-TV. He has won three national Emmys, the Columbia-duPont, the Scripps-Howard, the National Distinguished Service Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, and has twice won the Pulitzer Prize of broadcasting: The George Foster Peabody.  He was honored in 1983 with the top award for investigative reporting by the International Radio and Television News Directors Association.  He has been awarded more than two-dozen regional top honors from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Associated Press and United Press International. Since his retirement, Don continues his work in environmental journalism, reporting for MinnPost, the on-line daily, and is a member of the Climate Science Rapid Response Team roundtable. He currently serves on the board of Minnesota GreenStar, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and is the Capital Campaign Chair for the Washburn Center for Children. Don is also the author of The Season Never Ends: Wins, Losses, and the Wisdom of the Game, with a foreword by Tubby Smith. Don and his wife, Barbara, have been together for nearly forty years, and have three grown daughters.

Keynote Speaker:  Chris Wright

This season marks Wright's 22nd year with the Timberwolves organization and eighth as the team's president. Wright is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team. He leads a senior management group that is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the business operations of the franchise. By developing a culture driven by the values of maximum effort, teamwork, passion for what we do, innovative thinking, fun and integrity, Wright and his senior management team are integrating the business and basketball operations to meet the strategic and financial goals of the team. As president, Wright also articulates the mission for the organization, which is to creatively provide the ultimate sports and entertainment experience at exceptional value, with unparalleled customer service, while connecting with and engaging in our community. Whether coming to the arena, watching a game on television, purchasing a ticket online, or meeting players and staff in the community, Timberwolves fans know that they are the sole focus of the organization’s efforts. Wright believes that by developing a culture that emphasizes “one team,” “one voice” and “one with our community,” that the Timberwolves will have the ability to achieve great things. He believes in hiring a staff that is genuinely optimistic and passionate about the franchise — a staff that is professional, yet strives for fun with Timberwolves fans and clients.

A native of England, Wright came to the United States in 1978. Prior to joining the Timberwolves, he spent three years working for the state of Minnesota, first as a consultant working on bids for major national and international events, including the programming of the $17.4 million National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn. Prior to that, Wright also served as general manager for two Major Indoor Soccer League Teams, the Pittsburgh Spirit (1981-86) and the Minnesota Strikers (1986-87). Wright, who graduated from Carnegie College of Physical Education in Headingly, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, is very involved in and consults with many local charities and youth sports programs. He was elected to and serves on the board of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. He resides in Eden Prairie, Minn., with his wife Walla and daughter Christy. Wright also has two sons Ned and Jeff, and daughters-in-law Lauren and Amy.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor.

Thank you to our Signature Sponsor.