Best Practice: The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce
Chapter: NAWBO Orlando
Contact: Diane Sears, diane@di-vese-media.com and Therese Smyntek, ts@loorlando.com
Goal: To bring community partners together, to raise money for a new foundation and to increase corporate sponsorships NAWBO Orlando created The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce.
Implementation: NAWBO Orlando has a community awards ceremony consisting of six categories. They are non-profit, small business, medium business, large business, individual advocate, advocate organization/corporation. The awardees are nominated from nine counties.
NAWBO Orlando is the managing partner and founder but they are not the only group involved. They bring in community partners such as Walt Disney World, WKMG-Channel 6 (CBS), local diversity groups and Chambers of Commerce.
Results: NAWBO Orlando found that having the Beacon Awards helped to bring their community partners together. They also were able to substantially increase their corporate sponsors. Proceeds from the Awards ceremony went to the NAWBO Orlando Foundation. This foundation focuses on education in the community, including sending Women Business Owners to school for MBA's, financial classes, certification courses to further their businesses and create new jobs.