Event Background: Since 2014, the Columbus Smart 50 Awards recognize the top executives of the 50 smartest companies in the Central Ohio region for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations. All 50 winners will be honored at a special celebration, and three organizations will receive specialty awards for their achievements in three category areas – innovation, impact, and sustainability. Additionally, all guests will be treated to a keynote address on what it takes to lead a successful “smart” company.
During a year when COVID-19 has changes lives and what it means to gather, an event that is typically done in-person as a large awards gala had to pivot to a virtual environment. After a lot of research and demos, we selected the virtual event platform, Remo, for this event. We worked closely with their development team to customize a floor-plan that would prominently display our sponsor organizations and would be easy to navigate. One of the biggest aspects of our events that we wanted to make sure we could translate virtually was face-to-face networking. This platform allowed us to set up various tables and lounges for attendees to intimately connect via video chat. We interspersed networking breaks throughout the awards presentation and pre-recorded content to reduce technical difficulties day-of. Built into the floor-plan were an SBN Concierge table and Remo Help Desk where attendees could go if they had any questions or technical questions. All attendees were emailed know-before-you-go information, the event link, and a link to a video help guide prior to the event day. A Smart Business team member was on stand-bye as the primary contact if anyone had any trouble accessing the event link.
2020 Class of Honorees
John Ammendola Grange Insurance
Stephen Behnke MD MedOne Hospital Physicians
Frederic Bertley COSI
Kimberly Blackwell PMM Agency
Aaron Boggs RevLocal
Kelly Borth GREENCREST
Max Brickman Heartland Ventures
Peg Buehrle ActionCOACH Columbus
Jim Caldwell Pearl Interactive Network
Lisa Carmona Zaner-Bloser
Hugh Cathey ChromoCare Holding
Benjamin Clarke Bold Penguin
Peter Coratola Ease Logistics
Michael Corey Human Services Chamber of Franklin County
Matthew Davis CoHatch
Tina Fisher Givevia
Rachel Friedman Tenfold
Chris Gabrelcik Lubrication Specialties, Inc.
Oyauma Garrison A Kid Again
Alex George Astute
Randy Gerber Gerber, LLC
Navin Goyal LOUD Capital
Joel Guth Gryphon Financial Partners
Greg Guy Air Force One, Inc.
Michelle Heritage Community Shelter Board
Judy Huang Global Solutions
Ryan Huyghe Able/Mr. Roof (Crane Renovation Group)
Wendy Ivany Leading EDJE
Rob Johnson Vertiv
Steven Knight Quantum Health
Alan Kutasy Agility Partners
Catherine Lang-Cline Portfolio Creative
Linda Lehmkuhl MedVet Medical & Cancer Center for Pets
Bob Lester Dura-Seal
Susan Lewis Kaylor St. Vincent Family Center
Dr. Patrick Maynard I Am Boundless
Stokes McIntyre MindForge, LLC.
Dr. Melissa McRae Vitality Natural Wellness and Medspa
James Merkel Rockbridge
Michael Morgan Updox
Debbie Penzone Charles Penzone Incorporated
Nick Potts ScriptDrop
Diane Reed City BBQ
Rick Ricart Ricart Automotive Group
Sasha Saberi Atlas Partners
Hiten Shah MES, Inc.
Ira Sharfin Continental Office
Kyle Shen Nexceris
Cheryl Stauffer Crimson Design Group
Lou Von Thaer Battelle
KATHERINE STUCKY 