Wrenn Insurance has been nominated and selected for the 2004 Kansas City Small Business Monthly “25 Under 25 Award.”

As part of its 10-year anniversary celebration in 2002, Kansas City Small Business Monthly launched the annual 25 Under 25 Awards to recognize 25 outstanding Kansas City area businesses with under 25 employees.

Until the 25 Under 25 Awards, no formal recognition program existed in the Kansas City area that specifically targeted the smallest of businesses, those with under 25 employees. Yet this segment of business comprises the largest number of companies both locally and nationally, with roughly 83 percent of Kansas City area and 86 percent of businesses nationwide employing 19 or fewer employees.

Awards Criteria and Application/Selection Process

Nominated companies must meet the following criteria:

• Employ fewer than 25 full-time employees (or full-time equivalents)
• Operate a for-profit business for three (3) or more years
• Be located within the Greater Kansas City area

Nominations are accepted from the business community from September 1 to November 1 each year. Qualified nominees complete an application and provide additional support materials that are reviewed by a panel of third-party judges from the business community. The panel of judges reviews the applicants and selects the final 25 honorees according to the following

• Financial
• Ability to overcome obstacles/adversity/challenges
• Community involvement/service
• Distinguishing or defining characteristics/qualities
• Company vision

The 25 finalists are announced in mid-December, and events are scheduled throughout the following February to honor the finalists. Honorees are profiled in a special 25 Under 25 supplement in the February issue of Kansas City Small Business Monthly and invited to be guests on the “Eye on Small Business” radio show. In addition, sponsor Commerce Bank hosts a luncheon for the honorees. The events culminate in an awards dinner and gala held on a Saturday night in late February, featuring a networking reception, Wall of Fame, video salutes from Kansas City business leaders, catered sit-down dinner and awards presentation.

Corporate Report 100

Wrenn Insurance has once again qualified as one of the fastest growing businesses in Kansas City as measured by the last four years of revenue growth by the Ingram's Corporate Report 100.