Southwest Airlines and ASU Gammage have been named the large and small/medium Businesses of the Year by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) during the 30th Annual IMPACT Awards held Wednesday, May 10 at The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.
Large Business of the Year: Southwest Airlines
“We are very excited and this is a great honor for Southwest Airlines. This is an opportunity to represent to the community exactly what Southwest Airlines is,” said Craig Drew, senior vice president air operations/director of operations for Southwest Airlines. “I just want to say thank you to the 4,400 Southwest Airlines employees who work here in Phoenix who have made this possible.”
Small/Medium Business of the Year: ASU Gammage
“It’s such an honor to be named Business of the Year. So many amazing business were recognized today at the IMPACT Awards that to be considered among them is tremendous,” said Victor Hamburger, senior director of marketing & communications for ASU Gammage. “I was so elated, it’s tremendous. It reflects so well on all the work our team has done to bring the best of Broadway to the Valley.”
Drew and Hamburger react to being named 2017 IMPACT Businesses of the Year.
The two companies were selected for the honors from eight local companies which are recipients of the Chamber’s 30th Annual IMPACT Awards, honoring the accomplishments of small and large Valley businesses and the positive influences they have on the business community and economy.
“This year’s IMPACT Awards recipients are a testament to the success that can be achieved through dedication to leadership, innovation and community,” said Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Sanders. “These businesses and organizations will continue to drive the growth of the Greater Phoenix region for years to come.”
Follow each link below to watch a brief video highlighting each IMPACT Award recipient.
Large Business Category (More than 250 employees):
2017 Arizona Advocate – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
2017 Community Champion – Southwest Airlines
2017 Economic Driver – EPCOR Water USA
2017 Exceptional Innovator – Sonora Quest Laboratories
Small to Medium Business Category (250 employees or fewer):
2017 Arizona Advocate – Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation
2017 Community Champion – Crisis Response Network
2017 Economic Driver – ASU Gammage
2017 Exceptional Innovator – Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc.
IMPACTful Nonprofit Award
In addition to honoring exceptional Valley businesses, the Chamber added the IMPACTful Nonprofit Award last year to recognize the outstanding work of Valley nonprofits. Congratulations to 30th Anniversary IMPACTful Nonprofit Award recipient Duet: Partners in Health & Aging. The IMPACTful Nonprofit Award recipient is chosen by popular vote of the community. Duet was chosen this year from these deserving finalists, all of whom exemplify hard work and dedication to our community.
IMPACTful finalists:
American Red Cross of Greater Phoenix
Duet: Partners in Health & Aging
Sentinel Awards
The Chamber recognizes three outstanding elected officials with the Sentinel Awards, which highlight the great things that can be accomplished when business and government work together.
Sentinel Award recipients:
Arizona House Speaker J.D. Mesnard
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery
Phoenix City Councilman Daniel Valenzuela
