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

WARREN, Mich., March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It takes a clear commitment to quality human resources initiatives for a company to be named one of "West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For." These select companies will be honored by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) on Thursday, May 5 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 automotive, insurance, hospitality, communications and nonprofit organizations. (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 "The Quest for Future Talent:  Is Your Business Ready To Compete?" and "Best and Brightest Recruiting Inside and Out." The luncheon and awards ceremony begin at 11:00 a.m.

"This year's 101 award recipients stand out from most businesses in that they have exceeded traditional human resource practices to recruit, develop, motivate and retain their employees. They acknowledge the value their employees have on affecting the success of their company," said Jennifer Kluge, MBPA chief operating officer and executive vice president. "We are very impressed by the commitment that they have demonstrated to their employees."

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 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Davenport University, Grand Rapids Business Journal, WOOD TV8, WOOD Talk Radio, The Employers' Association, AT & T Michigan, DTE Energy, Spectrum Health, Staples, Rehmann and Progressive AE.

The "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" is presented annually in four markets: West Michigan, Metro Detroit, Chicago and Atlanta. Nominations are now being accepted for 2012. 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.

CONTACT:  Sue Voyles, +1-734-667-2005; or Ed Deeb, +1-586-393-8800 – B

SOURCE Michigan Business & Professional Association