Columbus, OH (July 29, 2016) – The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Columbus chapter, is proud to announce Elizabeth Blount McCormick, President and Co-Owner of UNIGLOBE Travel Designers, as the 2016 Visionary Award Honoree.
Founded in 1981 in Columbus, OH, UNIGLOBE Travel Designers is a minority, women-owned and family-owned award-winning travel management company. Since Elizabeth took over as president in 2012, the company has nearly doubled its revenue through acquisition of major accounts and expansion of its corporate travel business.
Prior to joining UNIGLOBE in 2006, Elizabeth had a vibrant career in retail management with Gap International in San Francisco and Miami, and EDUN, a mission-driven clothing line co-founded by Bono and located in NYC.
In addition to this peer-nominated recognition as a Visionary woman, Elizabeth has also been recognized as one of 12 Women “WELDing the Way” (2016), in the Forty Under 40 Class of 2016, as a Progressive Entrepreneur by Smart Women (2015), the winner of the 2014 Frederick J. Yates Memorial Scholarship Minority Business Award. Additionally, she was jointly awarded along with UNIGLOBE Travel Designers with the 2016 SBA Minority Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration-Columbus District Office, and for the Family Business Reinvention Award by The Conway Center for Family Business in 2015. Elizabeth is the 2nd Vice President for NAWBO Columbus and is in line to serve as president of the chapter in 2018-2019.
“The selection committee had a tough job this year,” said Laura MacGregor Comek of Comek Law. “We had five very different businesses this year and five very dynamic and truly visionary women. It has been amazing to hear their stories and learn about how they have created and grown their businesses. It would be difficult to imagine that our nearly 600 guests did not leave this event inspired.”
Also recognized at this year’s Visionary Gala was Sheila Mixon of the Greater Cincinnati Urban League and Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council as Women’s Business Champion, and Barb Girson, President of My Sales Tactics, as 2015 Member of the Year.
The featured keynote was from Alex Fisher, President and CEO of The Columbus Partnership, and 10TV Anchor Kristyn Hartman served as emcee.
About the Visionary Awards:
In its 19th year, the NAWBO Columbus Visionary Award is bestowed upon a local woman business owner who has achieved success with her business while making notable contributions to her community, her industry, and to initiatives for other women in business. NAWBO Columbus hosts this coveted award as a prestigious way to recognize and showcase the amazing women who not only own and operate businesses that are vital to Ohio’s economy, but also find time and resources to identify needs and drive social change. NAWBO Columbus held its Visionary Awards Gala on July 29 to recognize Blount McCormick, Mixon, Girson, and the other Visionary finalists, which included Jill Frey (Cummins Facility Services), Joelle Brock (Leading EDJE), Leena Madan (geoAMPS), and Mary McCarthy (Your Management Team).
About NAWBO Columbus:
National Association of Women Business Owners, Columbus, Ohio Chapter, is Central Ohio’s premier organization for women business owners. With over 220 members earning more than $1 billion in annual revenues and employing more than 3,000 people, NAWBO Columbus has established itself as the go-to place for inspiration, resources, and opportunities for female entrepreneurs.
