GRAND HAVEN, Michigan, May 17, 2006-At a celebration luncheon attended by over 500 area businesspersons, Media 1 was presented with the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce (GRACC) 2006 Small Business of the Year award. The awards ceremony was held at the DeVos Place Convention Center, as a highlight of the GRACC Sales, Networking, and Leadership Conference and Expo.
"It´s a great honor for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize Media 1 as the Small Business of the Year," said Media 1 CEO and founder, Chris Willis. "This award is a glowing testimony to the high quality and strong work ethic that our business community is known for."
Media 1, founded in 1993, is a Grand Haven-based consulting firm that develops custom interactive training and performance support programs for a wide array of local and international corporate clients. The company has early roots as a technical communications company, and has grown to be a full-service training and performance development and consulting firm.
This year, the GRACC set out to honor a small business that has maintained its focus in spite of challenges, leveraged its internal/external resources to be more successful, and established strategies to manage its business and differentiate itself in today´s competitive market. Media 1 was selected from a group of five finalists.
"The Chamber recognizes that small businesses are the backbone of the West Michigan economy," says Jeanne Englehart, President of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. "Media 1 is a great example of how a local small business can serve customers worldwide and participate in the global business community."
In accepting the award, Willis acknowledged those who have supported her in building the business, including the GRACC, the West Michigan Small Business and Development Center (SBTDC), National City Bank and Lakeshore 504 along with her family and "second family" of Media 1 employees. "It takes a single entrepreneur with a vision to start a business," said Willis, "but it takes the proverbial village to grow one."
About Media 1
Founded in 1993, Media 1specializes in creating innovative learning programs and decision support tools to help global corporations achieve their sales and performance goals. Media 1, based in Grand Haven, Michigan, is an award-winning developer of globally focused instructor-led and online training programs for clients including Hewlett-Packard, Meijer, and Siemens. For more information, visit the Media 1 Web site at http://www.media1.us.
About the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
With more than a century of experience creating opportunities for business success, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is the premier business membership organization in West Michigan. Though they count the area´s largest employers among our more than 3000 member businesses, more than 80% of chamber members are small businesses with 50 or less employees. By focusing on Membership, Diversity and Advocacy efforts, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce is a community partner that provides value for members, enhances the business climate in the area, and advocates for public policy that supports economic growth and vitality.Contact: Audra L. Troccko
Media 1
(616) 935-1155
(atroccko[at]media1.us)