Celebrate Michigan Sustainability Leaders at the Triple Bottom Line Bash and Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Awards

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum is expanding its signature awards program to recognize the sustainability accomplishments of Michigan businesses and institutions, and the lifetime accomplishments of the sustainability professionals that lead them.  On Thursday, November 13 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Triple Bottom Line Bash 2025 will introduce the Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Awards and Michigan Sustainable Business Hall of Fame.

The signature event of the western Michigan sustainability community, the Triple Bottom Line Bash began in 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.  The organization rebranded as the statewide Michigan Sustainable Business Forum at the event last year to kick off its now 30th anniversary campaign, which has included events across the state and the launch of several new programs.

The Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Awards program has been reorganized with an expanded slate of categories and recognition opportunities that reflect the diversity of industries, communities, and scale of organizations that are driving sustainability across the state.  The Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Awards will recognize up to 12 organizations in six categories for any of the following accomplishments: 

• Climate Leadership: has made meaningful progress toward decarbonization goals and/or has led the adoption or improvement of climate solutions in buildings, processes, industry, neighborhoods or systems.
• Social Justice: has meaningfully influenced community or industry efforts to address racial inequity, promote environmental justice, support workers, or demonstrate substantial and significant outcomes through volunteerism or community service.
• Circular Economy: has achieved a zero waste to landfill commitment, demonstrated industry or community leadership through recycling or reuse, or developed new end uses for recycled materials.
• Clean Water: has demonstrated leadership in the adoption of green stormwater infrastructure, removal of PFAS from products or the environment, or water efficiency.
• Food Systems & Hospitality: has demonstrated leadership in food loss and waste reduction, executed a zero waste event, adopted sustainable foodware, supported food system workers, and/or meaningfully addressed food insecurity through its programs, donations or support.
• Leadership & Advocacy: catalyzed a movement within an organization, community or industry in support of sustainability or sustainable business, and/or recently made a foundational breakthrough.

The six categories will each recognize one to three organizations for a total of no more than 12 awards:  Small Business, Public Sector, Campus, Industry & Agriculture, Services & Consulting, Sustainable Business of The Year.  

Nominations are now open for any organization that does business in Michigan through a brief form available here.  All submissions must include contact information for a representative of the organization, program or initiative being nominated. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged.  MiSBF may contact finalists for additional information as required by the selection committee.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, September 26. 

The Michigan Sustainable Business Hall of Fame celebrates professionals that have made significant and lasting contributions to sustainable business and sustainability in Michigan over the course of their career.  A lifetime achievement award, it recognizes impacts to local communities and industries, as well as internal company accomplishments that deserve wider recognition. 

Representative honorees include Jim Justice, the retired Vice President of Corporate Responsibility & Resource Management at Kalsec, Cascade Engineering founder and chair Fred Keller, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, US Green Building Council founding member and Catalyst Partners principal Keith Winn, PADNOS Executive Vice President Shelly Padnos and among others, the late Amy Butler, director of sustainability for Michigan State University at the time of her passing.

The Hall of Fame will be selected by a committee of sustainability leaders from across the state. Although there is no formal nomination process, any Forum member is welcome to recommend a candidate by contacting their member representative. 

Renowned for its unique blend of art, culture and nature, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is recognized as the best sculpture park in the U.S. by USA Today and is the most visited tourist attraction in West Michigan.  Triple Bottom Line Bash 2025 will conclude the Forum’s 30th Anniversary campaign and statewide expansion.  It is presented by Consumers Energy.

Sponsorship options are now available at the Triple Bottom Line Bash 2025 event page here. Tickets will be available for purchase on September 13.