Awards and Certifications From October 6
Ann Arbor Spark takes top honors for economic developers: Ann Arbor Spark has been awarded top honors for its Web site and printed materials by the Michigan Economic Developers Association. Ann Arbor Spark also received an honorable mention award in the category of technology-based economic development for its Business Accelerator from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for Excellence in Economic Development. Ann Arbor Spark's Business Accelerator was honored for its Regional Incubator Network, including Spark East, Spark Central and the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center. Entrepreneur Boot Camp, the Spark Expert Resource Board and the online business planning program, Cantillon, also helped Ann Arbor Spark stand out from competing economic development organizations across the world. For the MEDA award, Ann Arbor Spark competed against other economic development organizations in the state serving the population of 100,001 to 500,000. For IEDC, Ann Arbor SPARK competed in the populations of 25,000-200,000 category against economic development organizations globally. More at www.AnnArborUSA.org.
Lambert, Edwards & Associates Wins PR News Firm of the Year: Grand Rapids-based Lambert, Edwards & Associates, West Michigan's top-ranked public relations agency and the state's largest investor relations firm, announced today that it has been named PR News' national Firm of the Year in the small agency category. The PR News Platinum PR Awards recognize the year's most outstanding communications initiatives and programs in the public relations field. A panel of corporate, agency, nonprofit and academic executives, as well as the staff of leading trade journal PR News, reviewed hundreds of applicants, and chose LE&A from a group of nine finalists in the Small Agency category, which is open to any U.S. or Canadian-based PR agency with an annual income below $10 million. Each candidate was judged on their innovations, client growth and retention, and agency culture. The winner was announced at the Platinum PR Awards ceremony earlier this week in New York City. Awards were presented in 38 categories, culminating in the Firm of the Year honors. This latest announcement adds to what has already been a year of accolades for the firm. Earlier this year, LE&A was named Small PR Firm of the Year by PRWeek, another trade journal for the PR and corporate communications profession. The firm also won its fourth Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil, the only agency in Michigan to win this "Oscar of PR", and earned "Innovation of the Year" from media journal Bulldog Reporter. More at www.lambert-edwards.com.
Trivalent Receives Public Sector Elite status from HP: Grandville-based Trivalent Group Inc., one of Michigan's largest technology firms, has been approved as a Hewlett-Packard Public Sector Elite partner throughout HP's 2011 fiscal year. Public Sector Elite status identifies and rewards partners that have the expertise required to sell HP products and services in strategic public sector markets, including education, and federal, state, and local governments. HP selected Elite status recipients based on each partner's demonstrated market expertise and revenue attainment and a comprehensive evaluation of the HP Public Sector Elite designation. Established in 2003, Trivalent Group also has offices in Mt. Pleasant and Kalamazoo.
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