|
|
2009Imaginasium president named Business Person of the YearNo matter how troubled today’s economic waters may be, organizations that remain committed to their core and their teams are the ones that weather it best. “Still, sometimes its hard to feel like a big success when it seems like you’re treading water instead of flying forward, as you’re used to doing.” That’s the sentiment from Imaginasium president Patrick Hopkins, newly-named Business Person of the Year by the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at its 18th annual Business Recognition Awards luncheon. “The economy has touched all of us,” said Hopkins. “It’s been a tough year for our industry and our company — hands-down the most difficult since I joined Imaginasium 10 years ago. But we’re thankful to have wonderful clients who believe in the power of brand and communications and an outstanding team who continues to do the right thing for them.” Held at the KI Convention Center June 3rd, the Business Recognition Awards acknowledged six area businesses in a number of categories, including leadership, entrepreneurship and growth. The Small Business Person of the Year Award was presented to recognize a local business leader who has demonstrated achievement in ownership or management of a small business or who has made significant contributions to the small business environment in Brown County. Those selected have demonstrated leadership in bringing about business growth and have an outstanding reputation. Hopkins noted that recession or not, it was uncomfortable to accept the award as an individual. “No business is successful because of just one person,” he said. “Every day, I rely on a lot of talented and supportive people who allow me to go out and be the face of Imaginasium and get the credit for the hard work and dedication to doing the right thing for our clients.” Imaginasium has a team of 15 and is co-owned with Hopkins by founders Joe Bergner and Denis Kreft. “Pat’s been the driving force in the transformation of Imaginasium to an expert brand alignment firm from a generalist-type advertising agency,” said Kreft. “That’s positioned the company to be a much more valued partner to clients, and opened revenue streams that allow us to be much more successful in the long run. Pat’s been a tremendous face of the company with public displays of thought leadership and active branding of the company to strengthen our market position.” Imaginasium adds this latest honor to a long list of community contributions, including board membership on the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Phoenix Fund, the Greater Green Bay YMCA and the Cerebral Palsy Center. Hopkins is also a member of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Roundtable program and a recent presenter at the Chamber’s Northeast Wisconsin social media marketing workshop. He’s also previously been invited to speak on brand alignment for the American Marketing Association and the Wisconsin Society of Human Resource Management. Upon accepting the award, Pat summed it up by saying that in these times, companies must not only keep their focus, but band together more tightly and more focused than ever. “When we put our heads together, we’ll always get farther than trying to go it alone,” he said. MEDIA COVERAGE |