Three Madison Businesses Recognized at 2017 Business Excellence Forum

CONTACT:
Susan Thomson, CEO
ActionCOACH of Madison
susanthomson@actioncoach.com
608-441-5374

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three Madison Businesses Recognized at 2017 Business Excellence Forum

Be Inspired Salon Inc, wins Best Overall Marketing Program Award

MADISON, WI and HOUSTON, TX – Kati Whitledge, founder of Be Inspired Salon Inc. (www.beinspiredsalon.com), was named the winner for the Best Overall Marketing Program – Americas at the 2017 Business Excellence Awards, which was held at The Westin in Houston, Texas on February 20, 2017.

The Business Excellence Awards – which was hosted by ActionCOACH, the top international business coaching firm – honor the “best of the best” in small and medium sized businesses from around the world, and uses the event to showcase exceptional results achieved by business owners, entrepreneurs, their teams and their companies.

Whitledge and her company received the highest honor in the Best Overall Marketing Program category. Be Inspired Salon Inc. has carved out a niche in marketing for salon owners in all of the US.

“Since joining Mike McKay at ActionCOACH of Madison in 2012, I’ve expanded my salon and doubled our revenue. It’s allowed me the flexibility and freedom to simultaneously start three unique businesses while maintaining a standard of excellence within our salon,” Whiledge said. “This event gave me the opportunity to meet the best leaders in business from across the globe. When you sign up to work with ActionCOACH, you’re tapping into the success of your coach as well as the success of everyone they’re associated with. I’m grateful for every lesson, resource, and opportunity Mike has given me.”

ActionCOACH of Madison also had other clients who were recognized at the 2017 Business Excellence Forum and Awards as finalists in three additional categories:

–Peterson Technology Group (www.petersontechgroup.com), founded by Kevin Peterson, was a finalist in the Best Service Business with Less Than 10 People category.

–Kati Merical and Todd Hultman of Cabinet Masters (www.lifekitchens.com) were a finalist in the Fastest Growing Business category.

–In addition to winning the Best Overall Marketing Program award, Whitledge was a finalist in the Young CEO of the Year category

The 2017 Business Excellence Forums and Awards are part of ActionCOACH’s ongoing commitment to innovation, excellence and business re-education for owners and teams who operate and work in small-and-medium sized businesses. In addition to the awards ceremony, the Business Excellence Forum featured seminars with top speakers in the world of business, including Keith Cunningham, Ivan Misner, Tim Brown, Richard Maloney, Paul Dunn and ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars.

About ActionCOACH of Madison
ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business and executive coaching firm (Entrepreneur Magazine, 2005-2010), with more than 1,000 offices in 32 countries. ActionCOACH has been recognized locally as a finalist by InBusiness Magazine’s Executive Choice participants three consecutive years (2009-2011), and is a Global Top 100 performing firm.

Midwest Prototyping Wins Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award

Midwest Prototyping was announced as a Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award Winner for Emerging Technology. Nominated in both 2015 and 2016 as a manufacturer of the year, the award was presented February 23, 2017 at the annual reception dinner honoring the 26 nominees.

The annual Manufacturer of the Year Awards Program recognizes Wisconsin companies that demonstrate a commitment to business excellence, for their positive impact, making Wisconsin a better place to live, work and play.

“First and foremost, being recognized as a Manufacturer of the Year award winner is a testament to the incredible efforts put forth by the Midwest team.  Every day, our clients trust us to bring their projects to life, and every day, the entire staff at Midwest rises to the challenge,” said Steve Grundahl, President and Founder of Midwest Prototyping. “For additive manufacturing to be recognized at this level, on the same stage with so many strong traditional manufacturing companies is a breakthrough moment for our industry as well as our company – one that has us even more excited for the future.”

In its 29th year, the Manufacturer of the Year Awards Program recognizes companies of all sizes for all they do to drive Wisconsin’s economy. Companies were evaluated in areas such as financial growth or consistency, technological advances, product development, environmental solutions and sustainability, operational excellence and continuous improvement, commitment to employees and effective research and development. Award winners were selected by an independent panel of judges.

“Our state’s manufacturers are a critical part of Wisconsin’s heritage and Wisconsin’s future,” said Kurt R. Bauer, President/CEO of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. “We are proud to honor many of the manufacturers at this program that are utilizing new technologies and innovation that will change the way we look at the industry.”

Founded in 2001, Midwest Prototyping is a leading force in the additive manufacturing industry. Offering six distinct 3D printing technologies on 17 machines, and extensive in-house urethane casting and finishing services, Midwest Prototyping continues to provide innovative, cost-effective, and time-efficient solutions to organizations and individuals in a wide variety of industries and professions. To learn more, visit www.midwestproto.com.

Park Bank Honored with Financial Literacy Award

Park Bank is honored to be one of 15 individuals, businesses and organizations to receive the 2016 Governor’s Financial Literacy Award. In a recent ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol, Governor Scott Walker applauded the winners for efforts to promote financial literacy in schools, the workplace, and in communities throughout the state.

“Personal financial literacy is a life-long skill that helps the citizens of Wisconsin achieve their dreams, expand their opportunities, and ensure financial security for themselves and their families,” Governor Walker said. “These recipients demonstrate strong commitment to strengthening financial literacy and have had a tremendous impact on their communities. Our sincere thanks for your efforts, and we look forward to seeing all you accomplish in the coming years to help move Wisconsin forward.”

“At Park Bank, we want to make sure that we are helping our youth and our community by providing a foundation for understanding financial literacy including how saving and spending money impacts their future. It’s about preparing people to make financially responsible decisions,” said Park Bank President/CEO James Hegenbarth. Valuable topics taught included taxes and insurance, financing higher education, credit and borrowing, savings, and investing in conjunction with the teacher and an online, interactive web-based program. In addition, Park Bank employees also donated their time to various organizations including Junior Achievement, serving as financial coaches for families at Habitat for Humanity, Teach Children to Save events, high school financial literacy projects, serving on the Wisconsin Banker’s Association’s Financial Literacy advisory board, and teaching financial literacy seminars at the Urban League, Black Woman’s Leadership Conference, and the Black Women’s Wellness Day.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Madison Central Receives IHG 2016 Torchbearer Award

ATLANTA – The Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Madison Central received the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) 2016 Torchbearer Award, IHG’s most prestigious award.

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Madison Central is ranked 55^th of 2,196 properties within all Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn Express and Suites. This award is given to IHG hotels that achieve the highest levels of excellence in all aspects of operation — from quality to customer satisfaction.

“It is my pleasure to award the Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Madison Central as one of the top-notch hotels in our industry,” said Elie Maalouf, Chief Executive Officer – IHG, The Americas. “This hotel embodies the heart of our brand promise and continues to make IHG properties known and admired throughout the world, continuing our mission to deliver on great brands and Great Hotels Guests Love.”

Neil Densmore, President of Great Lakes Management Group – Verona, WI congratulates General Manager “Jessica Johnson” and staff on this outstanding accomplishment. In addition, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites – Madison Central received the 2016 Great Lakes Management Group Outstanding Customer Service Award and the 2016 General Manager of the Year Award. This hotel is also recognized by Trip Advisor as the # 1 hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.

The 2016 Torchbearer trophy, IHG’s symbol of top excellence, will be on permanent display at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Madison Central. To learn more visit www.hiexpress.com/madisoncentral, www.glmghotels.com, www.tripadvisor.com, www.ihg.com

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