Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance

A wonderful turnout for our Linked to The Future: AI for Small Business yesterday! Special thanks to Tim Branyan of Hoosier Heartland Indiana Small Business Development Center for an informative presentation and showing how AI can be used by small business owners. Learn more about the series here: https://lnkd.in/gdXQx6en Our next event will be on Dec. 10. Be on the lookout for more information!

Support your local Kokomo Downtown District businesses this holiday season with the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association Old-Fashioned Window Contest! Cast your vote by scanning the QR codes at your favorite participating businesses now until Dec. 5 for their chance to win the Old-Fashioned Holiday Cheer Award! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g259jmSU Already have a favorite? You can vote here as well: https://lnkd.in/gzwngdnV

Two weeks later, we're still thinking about our amazing 110th Annual Awards Celebration! We are super grateful for all who have helped make this event dazzling, and we congratulate all of our award winners for their achievements and contributions to the community! Learn more about our winners here: https://lnkd.in/gW23j2ax Thank you so much to the following businesses who provided services to make our evening amazing: Matt Bolinger- Lights and Sound Michael Hickey and Jim Hunt – Photography Hoorays and Soirees – Balloons Gina Curl – Centerpieces American Tool And Party Rental – Stage A huge thank you to the Bel Air Events staff for the delicious food and service! The following community partners were also instrumental in bringing the history of the evening together: Haynes International Gil Porter, Howard County Historian Alyssa Witter-Pier and the Howard County Historical Society Kokomo-Howard County Public Library Our sponsor from this year's event are: Executive Event Sponsor Community First Bank of Indiana Cocktail Mixer and Reception Sponsor: BerryComm, LLC Alliance Ally Sponsors Bowen Health Community Howard Regional Health Business Champion Sponsors Duke Energy Indiana University Kokomo Haynes International, Inc Koorsen Fire & Security Silver Birch of Kokomo Corporate Partner Sponsors Krystal Ruble State Farm Agent The Productive Assistant Security Federal Savings Bank

Do you have questions about how AI works or what it can do for you? Find the answers you need tomorrow during our Linked to The Future master class with Tim Branyan of Hoosier Heartland Indiana Small Business Development Center! Come and learn how AI can help your small business, so you can walk out with knowing how to use it! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gqq9Qz7J Can't make it in person? Join us virtually via Zoom!

Have you started making your New Year's resolutions? Is one of them growing your small business? If so, then make applying for the 2025 Drive Business Pitch Competition your goal for next year! Share us your business plans for your chance to become a 2025 finalist! If selected, you will be a candidate who could win a $10,000 grant that can go towards making your business dreams come true! How does that sound for a New Year's resolution? Apply by Feb. 1 here: https://lnkd.in/g2icvbwT

Have you ever looked at an email that you planned on sending but didn't liked the way it was written? Using AI as seen in the video here can help you create an email that not only reads well but can grab someone's attention. This is just one of the ways AI can help you in your life, especially if you are a small business owner. Interested? Discover the possibilities of AI in your business by checking out our next Linked to The Future class with Hoosier Heartland Indiana Small Business Development Center on Nov. 21. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gqq9Qz7J Can't make it in person? Join us virtually via Zoom on the provided link!

Our 110th Annual Awards Celebration last night was truly spectacular! We would like to thank everyone for a wonderful evening and congratulate our award winners! Small Business of the Year: CrossFit Kokomo Large Business of the Year: Trilogy Health Services Businessperson of the Year: Michael Shor of Haynes International Volunteer of the Year: Lisa Collins of Metronet Fiber IMPACT Award: Samaritan Caregivers Elizabeth Foster Award: Julie Smith Ambassador of The Year: George Mast of Community Howard Regional Health Economic Impact Award: SSG Hotels Downtown Champion Award: Lainey Schroer of Community First Bank of Indiana Visitors Bureau F.I.R.S.T.S. Award: Kokomo School Corporation Special thanks to the Bel Air Events staff for their help with last night's celebration, Howard County Historical Society and the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library for the historical pieces displayed in the lobby, and our sponsors and guests for making this a memorable celebration! Our community is amazing thanks to people like you! Our sponsor from this year's event are: Executive Event Sponsor Community First Bank of Indiana Cocktail Mixer and Reception Sponsor: BerryComm, LLC Alliance Ally Sponsors Bowen Health Community Howard Regional Health Business Champion Sponsors Duke Energy Indiana University Kokomo Haynes International Koorsen Fire & Security Silver Birch of Kokomo Corporate Partner Sponsors Krystal Ruble State Farm Agent The Productive Assistant Security Federal Savings Bank

It was a full house at our Korean Business Training yesterday! Special thanks to The Hobson Kokomo for allowing us to use the venue, HMH Contractors for refreshments, Soo and the Moyars team for insightful information, and to everyone who attended this informative event! If you are interested in learning more from this series, mark your calendars for our next session on Jan. 15! Missed out on this training? Visit our website to find video coverage to share with your coworkers. Learn more here: greaterkokomo.com/culture/

A friendly reminder that our Korean Business Training is tomorrow from 9-10 a.m. at The Hobson for those who have registered. The topic for discussion will be about the best practices for our hospitality and service partners.

Last Friday, the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association helped the community get a head start on holiday shopping and support local businesses with First Friday: Shop and Stroll. We congratulate them for another successful First Friday event! Want to be a part of next month's event? Register your business here: https://lnkd.in/gjpKdWMr