This Year's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan Announced by Michigan Business & Professional Association

WARREN, Mich., March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Only companies with the highest quality human resources initiatives can be named "West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For." This honor is highly sought after by competing companies throughout the region. These select companies will be honored by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) on Thurs., May 6 at the Pinnacle Center in the Grand Rapids area.

This year's winners practice innovative strategies and represent best practices in human resources in industries as diverse as the automotive, insurance, hospitality, communications and nonprofit. (See the attached list of honorees.)

An independent research firm evaluates each company's entry based on key measures in various categories.  They include Communication, Community Initiatives, Compensation and Benefits, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Employee Education and Development, Employee Engagement and Commitment, Recognition and Retention, Recruitment and Selection, Small Business and Work-Life Balance.

The winning 101 companies also vie for 10 elite awards, one granted for each category. Also an overall winner, who has excelled in all categories, will be honored with a "Best of the Best" award. The award winners will be announced during the luncheon.

The annual human resources symposium and awards program will begin with registration, networking and an exhibit gallery at 7:30 a.m. Educational workshops will follow at 8:00 a.m. The topics of this year's sessions will include "Moving Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy, " and "Changing Culture through Employee Engagement." The luncheon and awards ceremony begin at 11:00 a.m.

"The selection, recognition and awarding of this year's 101 companies allows our organization to showcase their best practices. The honorees have clearly demonstrated why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work. Companies that capitalize on their greatest resource - their employees - know how to attract and retain top talent," said Jennifer Kluge, MBPA chief operating officer and executive vice president.

Tickets for the symposium and awards lunch are $110 for MBPA members; $130 for non-members. A member table of 10 is $1,100; non-member tables are $1,300.  Sponsorships are also available.

Contact the Michigan Business and Professional Association at 586-393-8800 or visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to register or for more information. 

Sponsors of the "West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" include Davenport University, Grand Rapids Business Journal, WOOD TV8, WOOD Talk Radio, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, The Employers' Association, AT & T Michigan, DTE Energy, Spectrum Health, Staples, McGraw Wentworth, TowerPinkster, Rehmann and Progressive AE.

The "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" a program of the Michigan Business and Professional Association is presented annually in three markets: Metro Detroit, Chicago and West Michigan. Nominations are now being accepted for 2011. Visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to obtain an application.

Based in Warren, Mich., the Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA) is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 200,0000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like.  Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA) with more than 3,400 members. Visit them online at www.michbusiness.org or www.michfood.org.

THE 101 BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN WESTERN MICHIGAN

THE 2010 WINNERS

A PROGRAM OF THE MICHIGAN BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

SOURCE Michigan Business and Professional Association