Community Impact Awards 2013

** Watch a video of the event here.

** View and purchase photos from the event here.

** Read about the finalists here.

Change agents come in all shapes and sizes. The inaugural Community Impact Awards, held Feb. 21 at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus, honored companies (and company initiatives) making a positive impact on Minnesota communities. 

Keynote Speaker: R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis

Mayor Rybak took office facing a post-9/11 budget crisis and deep state and federal budget cuts. He responded by implementing innovative fiscal reforms that saved taxpayers millions by reducing $80 million of inherited debt, reigning in government spending, and producing six balanced budgets in four years.

Rybak’s other accomplishments include recruiting Allina and the Global Market to the Midtown Exchange, closing the City’s employment gap, creating 2,500 new housing units in three years with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, growing the police department by 100 officers in the last two years, and launching the innovative Minneapolis 311 phone system.

Mayor Rybak is now leading efforts to revitalize north Minneapolis, attack juvenile crime, make Minneapolis a wireless city, end homelessness in 10 years, and significantly reduce the city’s energy consumption to combat global climate change.

Mayor Rybak believes that Minneapolis has the potential to become the great American city of our time, and his Great City Agenda to achieve that vision includes making Minneapolis a place to live, preparing the next generation through the Minneapolis Promise, creating great public spaces by reweaving the urban fabric, closing the gaps between haves and have-nots, and running the city government well, but running it for a reason.

Emcee: Paul Batz, Author / Speaker/ Executive Coach

Paul Batz is a seasoned coach, master facilitator and inspiring professional speaker. With more than 25 years of experience in professional services, he has accumulated thousands of hours facilitating clarity of message and direction and creating momentum toward important goals. Paul’s publishing and consulting company What Really Works, is a branded statement of his belief in practical everyday wisdom that makes a difference.

AWARDS:

Creative Campaign Award -- Best marketing campaigns created on a pro-bono basis by a Minnesota-based agency.

** Gabriel deGrood Bendt [winner]
** Introworks [finalist]
** Roepke Public Relations [finalist]

Employment Award -- Companies that have brought major employment to a community in Minnesota -- or kept it here.

** Donnelly Custom Manufacturing [finalist]
** Marvin Windows and Doors [winner]
** Miller Manufacturing Company [finalist]

Community-Event Award -- An event supported by a company that brings a community together.

** Cowboy Jack’s (The After Midnight Group) [finalist]
** First & First [finalist]
** The Nerdery [winner]

Long-Term Achievement Award -- Companies that have shown at least 10 years of commitment to nonprofit organizations in Minnesota.

** Bremer Bank [finalist]
** H.B. Fuller [finalist]
** Weber Shandwick [winner]

Social Entrepreneurship Award -- Companies that were created to address social, environmental, or other issues affecting Minnesota.

** Cream for a Cause [finalist]
** Finnegans [winner]
** Forgotten Shirts [finalist]

Sustainability Award -- Companies that have found creative ways to offer products or services in a way that’s better for the environment in the long run.

** Accent Signage Systems [winner]
** CR-BPS [finalist]
** Legends Golf Club [finalist]

Workplace Giving Campaign Award -- Successful employee giving or volunteer campaign created by a company for a specific nonprofit.

** American Engineering Testing [finalist]
** C.H. Robinson Worldwide [finalist]
** CSM Corporation [winner]

Yellow Ribbon Award -- Companies that have made a specific effort to employ our returning veterans.

Youth Initiative Award -- Company events or programs that teach children skills or inspire them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

** Bowman Tool & Machining [winner]
** Flint Hills Resources [finalist]
** Salo [finalist]

Best in Class Award: Large (500+ employees)

** Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America [finalist]
** Bremer Bank [winner]
** Morrissey Hospitality Companies [finalist]

Best in Class Award: Midsize (51-500 employees)

** Gray Plant Mooty [finalist]
** Marco [winner]
** Northeast Bank [finalist]

Best in Class Award: Small (50 or fewer employees)

** Evolve Systems [finalist]
** Little & Company [finalist]
** Maguire Agency [winner]

Thank you to our Partner Sponsor: