2024 What's Right with the Region Awards

Nominations are open from Dec. 1, 2023 to Jan. 29, 2024.

We are seeking nominations in the following categories:

• Demonstrating Innovative Solutions: Nominee has demonstrated innovation, creativity and vision in making the St. Louis region a better place to live, work, invest or visit.

• Improving Equity and Inclusion: Nominee has shown a strong commitment to promoting diversity, access, inclusion, opportunity for all.

• Promoting Community Health & Well-being: Nominee is working to improve the collective health and wellness of our region’s residents, as well as addressing the social determinants of health.

• Emerging Initiatives: Nominee is a promising new business, organization or initiative (in existence for 3 years or less) that is already serving as a catalyst for change.

• Community Changemakers: Nominee is an individual leading and inspiring change in their organization, their community and/or our region for the benefit of all.

All submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which category should I choose? It’s not uncommon that a nominee might fit in multiple categories. Please choose the one that best fits the nature of your nomination. All entries will be reviewed prior to judging, and category adjustments may be made if needed.

• Can I nominate the organization where I’m employed? Yes, self-nominations by organizations are welcome.

• Will multiple nominations increase the chance of being selected? No, one thorough nomination is best. Additional weight is not given based on the number of nominations.

• I submitted a nomination in a past year that was not selected – should I submit again? Absolutely! With so many great entries each year, it’s always a difficult choice for our judges. We welcome resubmissions!

• Can I nominate an organization/individual who has been recognized before? Judges will consider all submissions, but they will take into account the length of time since last recognition and whether substantial changes have occurred. Entries recognized in the past five years are unlikely to be selected again.

• How do I know if a nominee has been recognized before? Check out the list of past honorees here.

All entries are reviewed by a committee of volunteers, including FOCUS alumni and community leaders.

If you would like to help select our 2024 honorees, sign up for Selection Day on Feb. 15, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Instructions and materials will be sent in early February to review and score.

The 2024 What's Right with the Region Awards are set for Thursday, May 9, from 5-8 p.m. at The Sheldon. Save the date for one of the most inspiring events of the year!

Early-bird tickets will go on sale in February.

As a nonprofit, this event represents FOCUS' most important fundraising event of the year, and your ticket purchase helps to support our ongoing mission to educate and connect leaders and facilitate important conversations in our community.

This year’s What’s Right with the Region Co-Chairs are:

Orvin Kimbrough                            Richard J. Liekweg
Chairman & CEO                                   President & CEO
Midwest BankCentre                            BJC HealthCare

Help FOCUS celebrate the change-makers in our community — the visionaries and unsung heroes who see challenges as opportunities to make a difference — by sponsoring the 27^th Annual What’s Right with the Region.

This is a unique opportunity to build stronger community ties, promote your business, and be intimately associated with one of the most well-known civic leadership organizations in the country.

Contact FOCUS Director of Development Michelle Stevens at michelles@focus-stl.org or (314) 657-4029 to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Over the past 26 years, FOCUS has had the privilege of celebrating the accomplishments of more than 500 honorees.

Past Honorees