Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ™ Announced by The National Association for Business Resources

WARREN, Mich., July 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Being named a Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ™, is a designation that hundreds of companies pursue. This year, the 2012 winners proved to be companies that deliver exceptional human resources practices and an impressive commitment to their employees.

The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) selected only 101 companies that best represent the most innovative human resource programs to date. The winning companies will be honored at the Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ™ symposium and awards luncheon on Mon., Aug. 20, 2012 at the Double Tree Hotel in Oak Brook.

An independent research firm evaluates each company's entry based on key measures in various categories.  They include Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance and the Best of the Best Small Business. (See following list for winners.)

The winning 101 companies also vie for 12 elite awards, one granted for each category. Also, an overall winner that has excelled in all categories will be honored with a "Best of the Best Overall" award. The elite award winners will be revealed during the luncheon.

"It is truly an honor to recognize this year's winners," said Jennifer Kluge, NABR president. "The selection, recognition and awarding of Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ™ allows businesses to showcase their best practices and demonstrate why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work. This year's winning companies represent high standards and are an example for other companies to emulate."

The day's events will start off with registration and a networking continental breakfast at 8 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., a series of interactive educational sessions will include "Developing the Talent your Organization Needs to Grow this Year," "Attracting and Identifying the Best Employee Talent for Today and Tomorrow," "Dynamics of a Changing Workforce: Finding Critical Skills and the Knowledge Gap," and "Heart & Soul: Motivating your Workforce." The awards luncheon and announcement of the 12 elite winners will begin at 11:45 a.m.

Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ^™ is sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago, Assurance, CORP! magazine, FONA International, Harrah's Joliet, IIT's Center for Research and Service, The Management Association of Illinois, Verizon Wireless and VW Credit, Inc.

Admission for the awards luncheon and symposium for individuals is $260.  Tables for 10 are also available for $2,450.  If you are interested in attending the conference, contact the National Association for Business Resources at 866-321-1822 or visit www.101bestandbrightest.com.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ^™ is a program of the National Association for Business Resources and is presented annually in several markets including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Grand Rapids and now Nationally. Nominations are now being accepted for 2013. Visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to obtain an application.

The National Association for Business Resources (NABR) advocates and represents small and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. NABR specializes in providing businesses the benefits, programs, services, and assistance required to operate as efficiently and successfully as possible. Best practice solutions are available to members in the areas of human resources, healthcare, legal, transaction, compliance, marketing, and office services. For more information about NABR and its offerings, please visit www.nationalbiz.org or call 1-866-321-1822.

CHICAGO'S 101 BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR ^™ 2012 WINNERS

Of the hundreds of nominations received, the companies listed below met the criteria as a "Best and Brightest Company to Work For"

ADP
Advanced Group
American Academy of Pediatrics
Armstrong Aerospace, Inc.
Arrow Strategies, LLC
ArrrowStream
Assurance
BDO USA, LLP
Bel Brands USA
BGT Partners
Blue Plate
Blue, Inc.
Bosch Rexroth Corporation
Burwood Group, Inc.
Care Communications, Inc.
Centro Media Inc.
Clarity Consulting Inc.
Comcast Corporation
Community Counseling Centers of Chicago
ContextMedia Inc.
ConvergEx Group’s RealTick
Conway MacKenzie, Inc.
DentalPlans.com
Donlen Corporation
EMKAY Inc
Enesco, LLC
Ernst & Young
Flexco
FONA International, Inc.
Geneca
Genesis Technologies
Getty Images
Ghafari Associates, LLC
GoHealth Insurance
Greeley and Hansen LLC
Harley Ellis Devereaux
Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel
Hephzibah Children’s Association
Hitachi Consulting
iD Commerce + Logistics
Ifbyphone Inc.
Impact Networking, LLC
Instant Technology
Jupiter Communities, LLC
kCura
KeyLimeTie
KPMG LLP
Kutchins, Robbins & Diamond, Ltd.
LaSalle Network
Laurus Strategies
LeasePlan USA
Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC
Luna
McGladrey
Medline Industries, Inc.
Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.
Mortenson Construction
Mutual Trust Financial Group
National Futures Association
NCSA Athletic Recruiting
Nitel
NOW Foods
Office Concepts
Omron Electronics
OtterBase, Inc
Paylocity
PEAK6 Investments, LP
Perspectives, Ltd
Plexus
Protiviti Inc.
PSC Group, LLC
Rabjohns Financial Group
Radio Flyer
Red Frog Events
Rightpoint
Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, Ltd.
Ryan, LLC
Service Express, Inc.
Shure Incorporated
Sikich LLP
Skender Construction
Slalom Consulting
Sonoma Partners, LLC
Spot Trading
Starcom
Stout Risius Ross, Inc
SunCoke Energy
SWC Technology Partners
Takeda
Tasty Catering
The Carlson Group, Inc.
The Comprehensive Group
The James
ThoughtWorks, Inc
Turner Construction Company
Verizon Wireless
VW Credit, Inc.
West Monroe Partners
WestLake Financial Group
WMS Industries
WOW Internet Cable and Phone

SOURCE National Association for Business Resources