Women in Business Awards event set for October

Summer used to be a "slow time" for the staff of the Springfield Business Journal. Local commerce seemed to almost grind to a halt in the Ozarks' steaming summer heat. Some businesses even closed up shop to leave for long weekends or even long weeks to cool off at the lake.

It was a slow news time, a slow advertising time, a slow walking time. Those days are gone. It's busy here, and our customers SBJ readers and advertisers are just as caught up in the swirl of economic activity and growth as we are.

We don't miss those "dog days," and I sense nobody in business in Springfield and southwest Missouri misses them. Nobody is complaining either. We are grateful, we are fortunate, and we have known other times, so we really appreciate our well-being.

This is our recent lineup of events: The Business Journal's 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award candidates were profiled in the July 23 issue. The banquet celebrating honorees and the publication's 21st anniversary took place July 26.

Economic Impact finalists were presented in the July 30 glossy magazine insert, and this week, highlights of the awards event are featured in our Photo Finish on page 47.

The Springfield Business Journal staff was honored to host approximately 260 of the area's most active business and professional people, along with Missouri Gov. Bob Holden as our special guest.

Last week, nominations closed for the Oct. 10 luncheon festivities honoring 2001's 20 Most Influential Women In Business. Business Journal readers submitted an impressive group of candidates, and now the judges must judge.

A glossy awards book will also mark the fall event and further honor the businesswomen who have demonstrated remarkable achievement in their careers, and in development of personal and professional strength.

Last year's honorees were Rosa Archibald, Donna Baker, Judy Breeding, Nancy Brown, Nadia Cavner, Diana Cowan, Elise Crain, Dona Elkins, Voncille Elmer, Kris Evans, Mary Faucett, Karen Hall, Teresa Hall, Carol Jones, Mary Kay Meek, Patti Penny, Danette Proctor, Nikki Sells, Karen Shannon and Jan Strube. And now, some of these special women will participate in the 2001 judging process.

I personally get especially excited about the Women In Business event because many of the honorees are close friends, people who have supported each other during the growing years. They are women who have, in a manner of speaking, chopped their way through the workplace jungle, forging a pathway for the many opportunities that we now enjoy and sometimes not often take for granted.

The 2000 awards luncheon drew more than 400 attendees friends, families and associates of these special businesswomen and tickets for this year's event at University Plaza are already being sought. As soon as they are printed, SBJ staff will be sending them out to the individuals who have made reservations.

Like you, we are dancing and learning and working as fast as we can.

Please call SBJ Special Events Coordinator Debra Fickbohm for more information about the 2001 Most Influential Women In Business Awards. Her telephone number is 417-831-3238, and her e-mail is dfickbohm@sbj.net.