2010 AGORA Winners Print E-mail

 

June 2, 2010

(SPOKANE, Wash.) – Greater Spokane Incorporated announced the winners of the 2010 AGORA Awards this morning at The Davenport Hotel.  The AGORA Awards recognize businesses in our region that exemplify leadership in supporting a strong economy and quality of life. The winners were picked by an independent team of volunteer judges based on a list of criteria including company growth, marketing strategy, employee environment, response to adversity, customer service, community service and contribution to economic development and job creation.  Winners don't have to be members of Greater Spokane Incorporated.


Small Nonprofit:
Spokane Humane Society

The Spokane Humane Society has been in existence since 1897 working diligently to stop animal cruelty and provide a warm, comfortable shelter for Spokane’s unwanted and cast-off animals. They have achieved an astounding 98% pet adoption rate and provide care for more than 3,100 animals annually while placing 2500-3500 animals in homes through their adoption programs.  A core of 164 volunteers at the facility and an additional 689 volunteers assist with foster care, special events and special projects.  Volunteers provided 12,000 hours of service in 2009.

Large Nonprofit:
YMCA of the Inland Northwest

YMCA of the Inland Northwest serves its members of all ages through a large number of programs including health and wellness activities, youth sports, summer day camps, Camp Reed, Aquatics, early Childhood Development, before and after school childcare, and teen programs.  The YMCA has 52,000 total members and in the last year alone has added 25,000 new individual members and 200 new employees.  Currently over 49,000 Spokane County residents are members, which is a 78% increase over the same time last year.  They serve 31,000 youth under the age of 18, over 8,000 of which are from households below poverty level.

Small Business:
Catered for You

Catered for You business owners Romeo and Linette Herrera, started their business without financial assistance, and as they saw the opportunity to grow, they turned to local resources such as SBA and SCORE to continue to build their dream.  Their solid business plan has guided their growth and expansion.  The quality of their catering is measured and evaluated at every event with both employee input and customer feedback.


Medium Business:
Nystrom Olson Collins, Inc.

Nystrom Olson Collins, Inc, founded in 2005, is a boutique design studio focusing on socially and environmentally sustainable architecture.  Their primary concern is expressing a modern ideology in the Pacific Northwest vernacular.  Examples of their work can be seen at their office, Dishman Dodge, D’Arienzo Cabin, Inland Imaging, and The Flying Goat.  NOC is a sound company with a vision for the future that includes the success of his staff, the community, the environment and most importantly, contributing to the world of architecture.

Large Business
Advantage IQ

Advantage IQ has developed their own personality and produced fantastic growth through pioneering a new service offering for local, national and international markets. Their year over year growth rate is 31 percent.  In addition to its overwhelming favorable revenue growth, Advantage IQ has been able to maintain an entrepreneurial culture that values its people. It is a company that takes great pride in their more than 500 employees and is proud to be based in Spokane.

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
Stewart and Associates

Greg Stewart and his team at Stewart and Associates embrace marketing and selling Spokane companies on their great services. Their marketing effort starts with a strong staff team approach and a marketing plan with tasks, deadlines, and a lead focus from team members.  Greg leads his team with a solid business plan and strategies for growth.  They share the "wins" daily with each other such as the gaining of new clients, and client compliments.

C. Michael Archer Community Service
Moss Adams

Moss Adams’ commitment to service and employee development quickly enables new employees to become valued experts in a professional area.  For the employees of Moss Adams, community service is about having a champion, a passion and following it. Giving back to the community where they live is important and their generosity is unmatched.  Moss Adams exemplifies balance. For employees it strives for a work life balance and as a business, it is a balance between business success and service to its community.

About the AGORA Awards
In ancient Athens, the AGORA was the center of all business activity, the market place, hence the program name.  This program recognizes those businesses in our community and region that exemplify leadership to support a strong economy and quality of life. Greater Spokane Incorporated directs much of its focus and activity to enhance the growth of existing business, and through that growth, the prosperity of the region.  All finalists were interviewed by an independent team of volunteer judges. All finalists were also eligible to be selected as the AGORA Award winner in the C. Michael Archer Community Service or Entrepreneurial Spirit award categories.

About Greater Spokane Incorporated
Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) is committed to accelerating regional economic prosperity throughout the Spokane region – an area that serves as the business and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest and supports a population of 1.4 million.  GSI is the area’s only Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, providing leadership to build a stronger economy since 1881.  GSI is funded by more than 1,400 private-sector member investors; Washington State; Spokane County; and the cities of Spokane; Spokane Valley; Liberty Lake; Cheney; Airway Heights; Medical Lake; Newport and Millwood.  For more information, visit www.greaterspokane.org or contact us at 509-624-1393 or 1-800-SPOKANE.