For 15 years, West Virginia’s flagship business school has recognized the most outstanding businesspeople associated with the state. Now, the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics will elevate the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame to a wider stage, moving the event to a world-renowned resort and scheduling it on the evening preceding the annual gathering of the state’s business leaders and policymakers.

B&E, which manages the Hall of Fame event, made the announcement today (August 31) on the opening day of the 2016 West Virginia Business Summit at The Greenbrier. As a result of the change, the Hall of Fame event will not take place in 2016 while it transitions to its new plan and venue — The Greenbrier — for 2017.

“It just makes sense, as our event continues to grow, that we fuel the momentum and upward trajectory of the Hall of Fame by giving it even more exposure and making it available to attendees at the West Virginia Business Summit,” said Javier Reyes, B&E Milan Puskar Dean. “This is a great opportunity to elevate the event to its deserved stature, and to make it available to the business leaders and policymakers that are working to shape the business community of our great state. And the focal point of the event is that we are celebrating the accomplishments of people with strong connections to West Virginia.”

Since its inception in 2001, 63 individuals have been inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame. Even though there will be no event this year, nominations are currently open for the Hall of Fame and will remain open until October 15, 2016.

The Hall of Fame was created by B&E to recognize individuals with strong ties to West Virginia who have made significant and lasting contributions in national and/or international businesses, state-based enterprises, and entrepreneurial and family businesses. Nominees are not required to be a West Virginia University graduate or a college graduate.

Inductees are seen as people who have had a noteworthy impact on West Virginia’s business landscape and have demonstrated commitment and success in the state. Additionally, they serve as commendable role models for students and younger generations everywhere.

W. Marston “Marty” Becker, who is chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee, a 2009 inductee and a B&E alumnus, said the growth and popularity of the annual event warrants the changes.

“This is a fantastic event, and we want to make sure we are reaching out to recognize people in West Virginia and beyond,” said Becker. “The event will now be held at The Greenbrier on the eve of the West Virginia Business Summit, making it even more accessible to the state’s business leaders. And we have received overwhelming support from the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the Business Summit. These changes reflect the right time, the right place, and the right people.”

For complete nomination criteria and further information on the Hall of Fame, visit www.be.wvu.edu/hall_fame. For further information on the WVU College of Business and Economics, follow B&E on Twitter at @wvucobe or visit be.wvu.edu.

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CONTACT: Kimberly Becker, WVU College of Business and Economics
304.293.7812, kimberly.becker@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.