This Year's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in Chicago Announced By National Association for Business Resources

CHICAGO, June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Only companies with the highest quality human resources initiatives can be named "Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For." This honor is highly sought after by competing companies throughout the region. These select companies will be honored by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) on Monday, August 2 at the Oak Brook Marriott.

This year's winners practice innovative strategies and represent best practices in human resources in industries as diverse as the automotive, insurance, hospitality, communications and nonprofit. (See the attached list of honorees.)

An independent research firm evaluates each company's entry based on key measures in various categories.  They include Communication, Community Initiatives, Compensation and Benefits, Diversity and Multiculturalism, Employee Education and Development, Employee Engagement and Commitment, Recognition and Retention, Recruitment and Selection, Small Business and Work-Life Balance.

The winning 101 companies also vie for 10 elite awards, one granted for each category. Also an overall winner, who has excelled in all categories, will be honored with a "Best of the Best" award. The award winners will be announced during the luncheon.

The annual human resources symposium and awards program will begin with registration, networking and an exhibit gallery at 8:00 a.m. Educational workshops will follow at 8:30 a.m. The topics of this year's sessions will include "Succession Planning Strategies: The Right People, for the Right Jobs, at the Right Time; Retooling for the Future Economy; Creating a Culture of Employee Enrichment and Leveraging the Digital World:  New and Innovative Strategies of Engagement." The luncheon and awards ceremony begin at 11:00 a.m.

"The selection, recognition and awarding of this year's 101 companies allows our organization to showcase their best practices. The honorees have clearly demonstrated why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work. Companies that capitalize on their greatest resource—their employees—know how to attract and retain top talent," said Jennifer Kluge, President of NABR.

Tickets for the symposium and awards lunch are $225 for NABR members; $250 for non-members. A member table of 10 is $2,250; non-member tables are $2,500.  Sponsorships are also available.

Contact the National Association for Business Resources at 866.321.1822 or visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to register or for more information.

Sponsors of the "Chicago's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" include FONA International, IIT's Center for Research and Service, The Management Association of Illinois, Astellas US LLC, American Chartered Bank, Verizon Wireless, Assurance Agency, Ltd.

ABC 7 Chicago, Hitachi Consulting, Harrah's Joliet Casino & Hotel and VW Credit, Inc.

The "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" a program of the National Association for Business Resources is presented annually in three markets: Metro Detroit, Chicago and West Michigan. Nominations are now being accepted for 2011. Visit www.101bestandbrightest.com to obtain an application.

Based in Warren, Mich., the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) is a business organization of small to medium-sized businesses, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 200,0000 persons nationally. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like.  Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. Visit NABR online at www.nationalbiz.org.

THE 101 BEST AND BRIGHTEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN CHICAGO 2010 WINNERS

Of the hundreds of nominations received, the companies listed below met the criteria as a "Best and Brightest Company to Work For"

SOURCE National Association for Business Resources