News about area businesses and businesspeople.

Conner receives history award for book

The Kentucky Historical Society honored outstanding achievements in the field of Kentucky history during the Kentucky History Celebration this month at the Old State Capitol in Frankfort.

Among this year’s winners was Glen Conner, recipient of the Class A Publication Award for “ ’Til Freedom Came: Slaves in Allen County, Kentucky 1815-1865.”

Conner, the retired state climatologist at Western Kentucky University, was nominated by Sharon Tabor of Bowling Green.

“ ’Til Freedom Came: Slaves in Allen County, Kentucky 1815-1865” is the result of a three-year research project by Conner. Using research from the Allen County Historical Society, the National Archives, other repositories across the country and local cemeteries, this book tells the history of slavery in Allen County.

The annual Kentucky History Awards program recognizes exceptional achievements in Kentucky history by individuals, business and civic leaders, communities, museums and history organizations. The program also honors individuals and groups that have demonstrated efforts to promote the preservation, awareness and appreciation of state and local history.

Foundation offering ‘Veteran Fast Launch’

The SCORE Foundation, in partnership with major corporations, is offering the new “Veteran Fast Launch” initiative.

The new program will be a combined package of training scholarships, free software and services, combined with SCORE’s mentoring program, in order to help accelerate the ability of veterans and their families to start and succeed as small business owners.

— To learn more, visit vetsfastlaunch.org/about-the-initative.

Imagewest brings home awards from contest

Imagewest won four awards and an honorable mention at the 2011 Professional Marketing Association Markie Awards.

Imagewest is an advertising and public relations agency run by Western Kentucky University students. Each semester, a new team of interns at the agency produces work for clients.

Imagewest entered its work in 14 categories and received five awards: Best Marketing Campaign: Barren River Animal Welfare Association; Best Direct Mail Piece: Imagewest seven-year anniversary and grand reopening; Best Press Kit/PR Campaign: Imagewest International; Best Specialty Item: Imagewest seven-year anniversary and grand reopening; and Honorable Mention Fundraising Campaign/Special Event: Imagewest seven-year anniversary and grand reopening.

“It was incredible to see our award-winning work displayed at the banquet,” senior graphic designer Alan Schneller said. “We devote so much time, effort and passion to make every project great at Imagewest, and it’s nice to receive recognition for that.”

The 11th annual Markie Awards were Nov. 15 at the Holiday Inn University Plaza in Bowling Green. PMA is an organization for networking, professional development and peer recognition. The Markie Awards honor the best examples of marketing by PMA members in Bowling Green throughout the year. The awards are based on creativity and effectiveness derived from the project’s marketing objective, target audience and results.

Interns for the fall 2010 semester included Clay Cauley, Carrollton; Megan Edwards, Fort Mitchell; Scottie Ellis, Frankfort; Leslie Hill, Louisville; Ker’ri Krieg, Russell Springs; Jiwon Lee, Seoul, South Korea; Kelly Mulhall, Elizabethtown; Leanna Norwood, Central City; Nick Van Hooser, Woodburn; KaiLee Viehland, Princeton; Alice Weber, Bowling Green; and Kara Williams, Graham.

Interns for the spring 2011 semester included Kelley Boothe, Georgetown; Stephen Charny, Louisville; Ryan Franklin, Louisville; Kelly Haight, Bowling Green; Tea Lacic, Mainz, Germany; Caitlin Pike, La Grange; Sarah Pope, Louisville; Stephanie Romano, Goshen; Alan Schneller, Oakland; Jessica Troccoli, Old Hickory, Tenn.; Jane Wood, Bowling Green; and Justin Wuetcher, Goshen.

Interns for the fall 2011 semester include: Eric Brodzinski, Noblesville, Ind.; Michelle Child, Taylor Mill; Kayla Cruse, Upton; Megan Dunlevy, Louisville; Bethany Hubartt, Indianapolis; Paige Johnson, Bowling Green; Tony King, Louisville; Jackelyn Mead, Hendersonville; Veronica Newman, Hopkinsville; Alan Schneller, Oakland; and Kayla Spelling, Covington.

Clarke gets travel award for 2nd year in row

For the second straight year, the Cruise Holidays cruise-specialty travel agency network has presented its “Top Producing Virtual Office” award to franchise owner Sheri Clarke of Bowling Green.

The award is given to the business that achieved the highest sales during the previous year. Clarke was honored during the Cruise Holidays annual convention on Nov. 5-12 aboard Holland America Line’s ms Eurodam.

“Sheri hit the ground running when she opened her own Cruise Holidays franchise in 2005. She adhered closely to our training program and quickly began specializing in planning travel for large groups. … She effectively handles the many intricate details that come up when planning travel for groups as large as 1,200 people, much to her clients’ delight,” said Mark Schiffner, vice president and chief operating officer of Cruise Holidays, in a news release.

Clarke has been inducted into the Cruise Holidays President’s Circle the past two years, which recognizes the sales achievements of the franchise network’s top performers. As a part of the President’s Circle, Clarke and the other inductees will sail on the Queen Mary 2 in June.

— For more information about Sheri Clarke’s business, visit her website at www.shericlarke.com.