PRESENTS

Coolest Places to Work

Image of the event logo

Event Details:

November 19, 2025 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
170 1st St SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Cost: $85 a ticket, $800 for a table of 10.

Event Contact:

Lucas Hayes
(319) 665-6397
[email protected]

Interested in sponsoring this event?

Contact Lauren Grask
(319) 665-6397
[email protected]

CBJ's Coolest Places to Work awards honors local companies creating the most engaging and rewarding work environments. Self-nominated companies in Kirkwood’s seven-county region are selected based on a Worker Satisfaction Survey. Honorees will be recognized during the November 2025 event, at which point rankings will be revealed and the CEO from the Coolest of the Cool company will give remarks.

Get Your Tickets to the Coolest Places to Work event

Cost: $85 a ticket, $800 for a table of 10.

FAQ

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What does the Coolest Places to Work include?

Dinner, awards ceremony, and ability to engage with honorees and attendees during networking before and after the event.

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When is the last day to buy tickets?

Ticket sales close exactly one week prior to the event.
*All dietary restrictions must be submitted a week prior to the event. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

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What is your refund & cancellation policy?

If you are unable to attend the event you have purchased a ticket for, refunds can be processed, less the transaction fee, up to one week before the event. Event attendees are locked in one week before the event, and refunds cannot be given after that date. Please reach out to Jean Suckow to request a refund at [email protected] or by calling the CBJ Office at 319-665-6397.

In cases of inclement weather, the Corridor Business Journal will assess the situation and will alert all attendees if the event will be postponed or canceled. Refunds will not be offered if the postponed event is held. In the unlikely event of a cancellation, they may be exchanged for a different event of the same value, free of charge, subject to availability.

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I’ve purchased a ticket(s), do I receive a physical one?

No. There are no physical tickets. Attendees are asked to check-in at the registration table prior to the event.

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How are winners selected?

An outside workforce research group will determine honorees through a confidential survey process.

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When will the winners be announced?

Winners will be announced prior to the event on the Corridor Business Journal website, social media channels, and published in the paper.

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What is the CBJ?

The Corridor Business Journal covers news that is of interest, use and importance for anyone who does business in the growing Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Corridor. CBJ is not part of a chain. The newspaper is owned and operated independently by John and Aspen Lohman.

A portion of each issue is dedicated to one sector of the business community. Among many other focus issues, these topics range from diversity to small business, to politics & elections and banking. We also publish a host of supplemental materials.

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Where can I get more information?

For editorial information, contact the newsroom ([email protected])
For subscription information, contact Jean Suckow ([email protected])
For advertising information, contact Kelly Meyer ([email protected]) or Meribeth Schmidt ([email protected])

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Have questions about sponsorship opportunities?

For sponsorship information, contact Lauren Grask at [email protected].

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2024 Coolest Places to Work (listed alphabetically)

2024 Honorees in alphabetical order


  • Advanced Therapy Specialists
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County
  • Choreo
  • Clickstop, Inc.
  • Crystal Group
  • Eastern Iowa Arts Academy
  • Eastern Iowa Sleep Center
  • Engie Iowa
  • Essence of Life Hospice
  • F&M Bank
  • FaithLife Church
  • First Interstate Bank
  • Heritage Area Agency on Aging
  • Hibu
  • Infinity
  • McGrath Family of Dealerships
  • MercyCare Business Health Solutions, Wellness
  • Novy
  • On With Life
  • Ryan Companies US, Inc.
  • Skogman Companies
  • Strategic Financial Solutions
  • Theatre Cedar Rapids
  • TrueNorth Companies