Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Announces Finalists for the 16th Annual Greater Austin Business Awards

August 3, 2016, AUSTIN, TX – The Austin Chamber of Commerce plans to celebrate the stars of Austin business at the 15th Annual Greater Austin Business Awards. The winners for each category will be announced at the awards ceremony held at the Austin Hyatt Regency Downtown on September 1, 2016. The Austin community is invited to participate in the selection of this year's Most Uniquely Austin category winner through a survey available online.

Close to 500 nominations were submitted for the Business Awards. Of those submissions, 100 finalists were narrowed down in the following categories:

The Horseshoe Bay Resort Most Uniquely Austin Award recognizes a company that embraces Austin's unique culture and exemplifies what it means to live and do business in Austin. Finalists: ATX Plays, LLC; Austin Monthly; Blazer Tag Adventure Center; Lammes Candies Since 1865; Long Center; Melly; Moms Making Six Figures; STG Design; SweetCheeks Products, Inc; UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum.

The eBay, Inc. Technology & Innovation Award recognizes any organization in any industry that employs new ideas or approaches to doing business. Large Division Finalists: AMD; Atlassian; Austin Regional Clinic; Boundless; OutboundEngine. Mid-Sized Division Finalists: Adlucent, CynergisTek; Innography; SqureRoot, Inc; Transfinder Corp. Small Division Finalists: Banyan Water; Belston Technologies; Live Music Tutor; Remedy; XOR Data Exchange.

The Goodwill Industries of Central Texas Non-Profit Award recognizes any Section 501(c)(3) public charity or private foundation that is tirelessly focused on serving the community and the partnerships they have built with for-profit organizations. Finalists: Austin Habitat for Humanity; Boys and Girls Clubs of the Austin Area; Central Texas Food Bank; Meals on Wheels of Central Texas; Notley.

The Cook-Walden Funeral Home Community Relations Award recognizes any organization in any industry that demonstrates a successful approach to corporate social responsibility and can show a positive impact on the community. Large Division Finalists: Kendra Scott, LLC; AMD; Rose Dental Group; Silicon Labs; Texas Mutual Insurance Company; Wells Fargo. Mid-Sized Division Finalists: Bulldog Solutions; Chasse Consulting: Sales Strategies, Inc.; FreightPros; Onnit; Spire Consulting Group, LLC. Small Division Finalists: Alejandra de la Torre – State Farm Agency; Alt Creative; Altura Solutions, LP; United Heritage Charity Foundation; VESS Consulting Group.

The British Airways International Trade and Expansion Award recognizes investments by international companies in Austin that create jobs locally, as well as Austin-based companies who have expanded internationally, either through export activity or overseas offices. Finalists: Alliance Abroad Group; ARM, Inc.; Austin Fraser, Inc.; Bioo Scientific; Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, LLC; World First.

The Higginbotham Health & Wellness Award recognizes any organization in any industry that actively encourages employees to engage in a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. Large Division Finalists: Accruent; Atlassian; CoAdvantage; HID Global; Silicon Labs. Mid-Sized Division Finalists: Five Stone Tax Advisors; Onnit; Simpler Trading, LLC; The Karis Group; The Zebra. Small Division Finalists: Go Nutrition; Medi-Weightloss Clinic; Pinny and Trowel, LLC.

The Intel Environmental Responsibility & Sustainability Award recognizes any organization in any industry that demonstrates commitment to environmentally sound practices. Large Division Finalists: ARM, Inc.; Legalzoom. Mid-Sized Division Finalists: FATHOM; Freedom Solar Power; TreeHouse, Inc. Small Division Finalists: At Your Disposal; Banyan Water; Capsa Ventures; Residology, Inc.

The KPMG Executive Leadership Award recognizes presidents, principals or chief executive officers for devoting time and energy to strengthen and transform the organization they lead. Large Division Finalists: Jay Fox, Baylor Scott & White Health; David Fuess, Catapult Systems; Jonathan and Yvette Boatwright, Reality Austin; Kevin B. Thompson, SolarWinds; Heather Brunner, WP Engine. Mid-Sized Division Finalists: Beverly Chasse, Chasse Consulting: Sales Strategies, Inc.; John Carter, Simpler Trading, LLC; Anthony Gonzales, Spire Consulting Group, LLC; Chris Taylor, Square Root, Inc.; Jason Ballard, TreeHouse, Inc. Small Division Finalists: Joshua B. Lee, StandOut Authority; Stephen Delgado, P.E., Texas Engineering Solutions.

The Time Warner Cable Business Class Customer Service & Loyalty Award recognizes any organization in any industry dedicated to outstanding customer service and satisfaction in all aspects of sales and service. Large Division Finalists: Hilton Austin; Meals on Wheels of Central Texas; Tiff’s Treats; Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House. Mid-Sized Division Finalists: Austin Granite Direct; Five Star ER; SOAL TECHNOLOGIES; The Zebra; Perry's Transfinder Corporation. Small Division Finalists: Austin Roof Doctor; IT Freedom, Inc.; Urban Mattress of South Austin; Wolfgang Career Coaching; Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes.

The list of finalists can be viewed at austinchamber.com/awards. The public is encouraged to submit their vote for the Most Uniquely Austin award by participating in this survey: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ed044pqnir50hr4q/start

Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas and Blackbaud have generously donated $5,000 to the Non-Profit Award recipient and are recognized as Presenting Co-Sponsors.

About the Austin Chamber

The mission of the Austin Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for its 3,000+ members. For more information about the Austin Chamber of Commerce visit AustinChamber.com.

Media Inquiries:

Luke Sheffield, Public Relations Manager, Austin Chamber of Commerce

O: 512.322.5637

lsheffield@austinchamber.com

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