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2010 Kreusi Award
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DESCRIPTION |
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The Kruesi Award is America’s first community innovation award. The award was created in 2001 to recognize area businesses that best exemplify an innovative spirit. The designation honors a Chattanooga family whose Swiss ancestor, John Kruesi, immigrated to America and worked with the inventor Thomas A. Edison. Kruesi made the first phonograph in 1877 and was the principal mechanic on countless other patented innovations, including the incandescent light bulb. His son Paul Kruesi settled in Chattanooga, founded the American Lava Company in 1902, and served as president of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. The legacy and lineage of the Kruesi family permeate the community today, symbolizing enlightened enterprise and philanthropy.
The Kruesi Award for Innovation is presented each year to the local company that best exemplifies the inventive spirit in business. Applications for the Kruesi Award will be reviewed by two panels of experts: one comprising local business people, entrepreneurs and community leaders, and a second comprising national business leaders and entrepreneurs. The national panel will select the winner of the Kruesi Award, which will be announced during the Chamber's Spirit of Innovation Awards luncheon on April 28, 2010. For reservations, please call the Chamber’s reservation hotline at 423.763.4366. |
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CRITERIA |
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Defining Innovation
The selection committee approaches the definition in the broadest sense. The committee looks for new technologies and new ways of doing things. These innovations may originate on the manufacturing line, in the research lab, the marketing department, the training room, or the boardroom. Some innovations reflect a major breakthrough; others result from an accumulation of small developments. But all successful innovations positively influence a company's performance, productivity, quality or competitiveness.
Selection Criteria
To be eligible for the Kruesi Award, the innovation must meet certain criteria:
• The applicant must have conceived and/or implemented the innovation within the last five years;
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate that the innovation was conceived, developed and/or implemented in the Chattanooga area;
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate that the innovative practice has been implemented and has produced a measurable impact on the applicant's performance, productivity, quality or competitiveness.
Selection Process
Applications for the Kruesi Award will be reviewed by two panels of experts: one comprising local business people, entrepreneurs and community leaders, and a second comprising international business leaders and entrepreneurs. The international panel will select the winner of the Kruesi Award, which will be announced during the Chamber's Spirit of Innovation Award luncheon on April 28, 2010. |
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APPLICATION PROCESS |
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Who can Apply?
• Chattanooga-area companies, large and small, in any sector: manufacturing, service, retail, etc.
• Individuals
• For-profit and non-profit businesses, institutions, and organizations
• Government agencies
• Chamber members and non-members
Application Process
Interested applicants submit an "Intent to Enter" – a paragraph briefly describing the innovation and its conformance to the eligibility requirements. Deadline for 2010 Kruesi Award is December 15, 2009. We are currently accepting applications for the 2011 Kruesi Award.
How to Apply
To apply for the Kruesi Award click on the Simplified Application Process to answer a few basic questions and submit a paragraph describing your company's innovation and its impact. Contact Lindsay Hiatt at 423.763.4337 or lhiatt@chattanoogachamber.com for more information.
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2010 FINALISTS |
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Astec
GlenVeigh
Global Manufacturing Alliance Group
Innovative Software Design, Inc
Interlock Industries, Inc.
Lectrus
Thermal TC |
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PAST RECIPIENTS |
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2009 |
DJO Chattanooga |
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2008 |
Automation IG |
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2007 |
eSpin Technologies |
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2006 |
Shared Health |
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2005 |
Specialized Enterprises |
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2004 |
AquaShield, Inc. |
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2003 |
American Mammographics |
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2003 |
Alexian Brothers: Live at Home Program |
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2002 |
U.S. Xpress |
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2001 |
Collins & Aikman Floorcoverings |
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