AWARDS AT
RE:CON

BOOM is a statewide award ceremony recognizing individuals with a disability who have excelled. The goal of the BOOM Awards is to provide stereotype-busting role models for people with disabilities.

Each year we celebrate 3 individuals – an employee, an entrepreneur and an athlete – who have ignored doubters and pursued their dreams, in order to live the life they desire.

The awardees are celebrated at the event, and have a vignette created of their story.

Thank you to the 2024 BOOM Award Sponsors

Elderly Instruments
M3 Group

Congratulations to the 2024 Award Winners

Employee of the Year

Rob Bennett

The Employee of the Year is someone who has made a significant contribution at their place of employment. This person has displayed promptness, initiative and drive in the performance of their job duties with their current employer.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Nick Long

The Entrepreneur of the Year is someone who has persevered to start and run

a successful business, for a minimum of one year. This person has displayed

determination, inventiveness and tenacity as a business owner.

Athlete of the Year

Derik Smith

The Athlete of the Year is someone who competes and excels in a team or individual sport. This person has displayed a high level of skill, continuous improvement and excellent performance in a series of venues or competitions.

Special thanks to Work Skills Corporation for making the BOOM Award artwork.

You can see the vignettes from all our past awardees here.

apex – Outstanding Employer

celebrates a business that has fostered exceptional employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to community access in Michigan. This employer will have demonstrated a commitment to inclusion and diversity in hiring practices, training, and talent development. The award will recognize an employer that has created a workplace culture rich with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, skills and abilities.

apex – Outstanding Community Partner

recognizes an individual or an organization that has dramatically improved the quality of services and supports for people with disabilities and other barriers. This award honors the vital role and commitment of our community partners – often unsung heroes – contributing to the betterment of an existing program, or creating a new model that has positively and sustainably affected the quality of life for the people we serve – removing barriers, restarting lives, and restoring community. Service and support areas might include employment, housing, transportation, education, or recreation and the arts.

apex – Transformational Leadership

recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated the ability to develop and implement creative and effective leadership strategies; nurture valuable collaboration and partnership; and work across boundaries to achieve transformational outcomes with the people we serve. This could be attained through advocacy, innovative programs, partnership models, published research – solutions that have changed the game in a positive way. Nominees may represent community providers, government, business, advocacy organizations, or academia.