This annual Chamber award celebrates the importance of small business in the Springfield community and highlights the unique entrepreneurial spirit that flourishes here. In this area, 97 percent of businesses have fewer than 100 employees and 80 percent of the Chamber’s membership are small businesses.

The Small Business of the Year award is named in honor of W. Curtis Strube, the late director of Breech School of Business at Drury University. An avid supporter of small businesses, Strube founded the Chamber’s Small Business Council. The recipient is selected based on such factors as staying power, response to adversity, innovative products or services, business philosophy and contributions to the community.

For more information on the award, the event, the week or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jen Johnson.

Past recipients include:

1992 – Terminal Consolidation Company
1993 – Big Cabin Wholesale Gifts
1994 – Watts Heatway
1995 – Mears Floral Products
1996 – Opfer Communications
1997 – Springfield Business Journal
1998 – Butler, Rosenbury & Partners
1999 – ServiceWorld Computer Center
2000 – Aire-Master of America
2001 – Carnahan-White
2002 – Environmental Works
2003 – PFI Western Store
2004 – Millwood Golf & Racquet Club
2005 – Candy House Gourmet Chocolates
2006 – Amberg Entertainment
2007 – Family Pharmacy (Plainview Road location)
2008 – Pelham Phillips Architects & Engineers
2009 – TLC Property Management, LLC
2010 – Corporate Business Systems, Inc.
2011 – Ozarks Food Harvest, Inc.

Originated by the Chamber in 1985, the Salute to Health Care program recognizes health care as a leading industry in the Springfield area. Over nearly two decades, outstanding health care professionals and organizations have been recognized for community service and medical achievements. For more information on the award, the annual banquet or sponsorship opportunities, contact Kim Everest.

Past recipients include:

1985 – James T. Brown, M.D., Fred Coller, M.D., James R. Cook, M.D., Don F. Gose, M.D., F.T. H’Doubler, M.D., Charles Lockhart, M.D.
1986 – Durward G. Hall, M.D., Joe Hickman, Diana McClure, Margaret Norris, Jorge Louis Padron, Ph.D.
1987 – Robert D. Duncan, M.D., Thomas E. Ferrell, M.D., Terry Moore, Neil C. Wortley
1988 – Michael J. Clarke, M.D., Mary Ruth Cuddy, Laurie Cunningham
1989 – Harold Bengsch, Maude Lee Tillman, R.N., Glen Turner, M.D.
1990 – Oral B. Crawford, M.D., Rita Wright Gurian, R.N., B.S.N., C.A. Al Turner
1991 – Walter A. German, M.D., Keith A Laferriere, M.D., Kathleen M. O’Dell, The Sisters of Mercy
1992 – Stanley S. Peterson, M.D., Nancy H. Ceaser, M.D., Thomas M. MacDonnell, M.D.
1993 – Thomas E. Ashley, M.D., Ginny Staley Ross, R.N., M.Ed., Charles M. Edwards
1994 – Susan A. Blackard, R.N., John P. Ferguson, M.D.
1995 – Jim Blaine, M.D., Suzanne Dollar, R.N., B.S.N., Todd Schaible, Ph.D.
1996 – Delmar E. Caywood, J. Wendall Goodwin, M.D., The L.I.N.K. Clinic
1997 – John D. Bentley, M.D., Janie Brunette, R.N., M.S.N., Don Thompson
1998 – Joyce L. Madore, RNC, Don S. Overend, M.D., Maura Taylor
1999 – Phillip Carr, M.D., Jean Grabeel, R.N., Med., Mary Beth O’Reilly
2000 – AIDS Project of the Ozarks, Robert L. Carolla, M.D., Bernard A. Griesemer, M.D.
2001 – Nora M. Burgess, R.N., Betty L. Luckie, Larry W. Halverson, M.D., Rex Witherspoon, D.D.S.
2002 – Advocates for a Healthy Community, Wolfe Gerecht, M.D., Larry Wallis, Robert Zahn, M.D.
2003 – Community Hospices of America, Norman P. Knowlton, III, M.D., Mid-America Transplant Services, Kevin D. Wallace, DMD
2004 – MacDonald Bonebrake, M.D., Kim Dorn, RN, BSN, Donald Wantuck, M.D.
2005 – Major John W. "Bucky" Buckner, M.D., Judith A. Dasovich, M.D., Walter J. Gaska, M.D.
2006 – Robert Kipfer, M.D., James T. Rogers
2007 –  Thomas A. Colins, Sr., D.D.S., M.S., Patricia Dix, M.D., Roy W. Holand, M.D.
2008 – Jerry Cash, D.D.S., M.S., John F. Ferguson M.D., John Mihalevich, M.D.
2009 – Mr. Donald J. Babb, Dr. Michael S. Clarke, Dr. William Sistrunk
2010 –  Jose' Dominguez, M.D.; Meera Scarrow, M.D., J.D.; and Trudi Scott, Nurse Practitioner (Posthumous Honor)

In previous years, the Manufacturers Council of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has recognized the accomplishments of local manufacturing firms by awarding a Manufacturer of the Year award.

In 2009, the Chamber is retooling the event to be more inclusive and honor and appreciate all manufacturing in our area at the Manufacturing Appreciation Lunch on Dec. 9.

The award showcases the impact of manufacturing on the local economy—a sector that employs more than 27,000 people. Each nominee is evaluated on factors such as business stability and growth, employee development, product development and sustainability, environmental, health and safety performance and community involvement. A panel of judges visits the facilities of the finalists to experience the manufacturing process first-hand.

For the last several years, Drury University Students In Free Enterprise chapter assisted with the application process.  

Past recipients include:

1995 – Aaron’s Automotive Products
1996 – SMC Packaging Group
1997 – Hagale Industries
1998 – Hiland Dairy Foods
1999 – Northrop Grumman Interconnect Technologies
2000 – Kraft Foods, Inc.
2001 – The Maiman Company
2002 – ReGen Technologies
2003 – 3M
2004 – Megavolt
2005 – Edmunds Dental Prosthetics
2006 – Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co.
2007 – Jarden Plastic Solutions
2008 – Positronic Industries, Inc.

For more information on the award, the annual banquet or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jeff Seifried.

The Springfield-Greene County Choose Environmental Excellence initiative is a partnership of businesses, government and private citizens acting together to improve environmental awareness and action, with an awards luncheon held each spring to recognize those making a difference in our community.  For many years, the Chamber also honored the environmental responsibility of one of its members through the CEE Business Award.  In 2010, the Chamber will allow another community organization focused on sustainability to present a business award, while continuing its support of the Choose Environmental Excellence initiative and the annual awards luncheon.

Past recipients include:

2004 - NorthStar Battery Company
2005 - Nestle Purina PetCare
2006 - Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company
2007 - Discovery Center of the Ozarks
2008 - Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield
2009 - SMC Packaging Group