Skip to main contentSkip to main navigationSkip to footer content

CED Excellence Awards

Third Annual Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards

You are invited to join us at the Bakery District for our third annual UAFS Center for Economic Development – Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards.

This event is dedicated to honoring the achievements of regional family-owned and small businesses.

Event Registration Opening Soon!

 

6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026

5:30 p.m. - Networking and Complimentary Drinks

6-8 p.m. - Event

The Bakery District in Fort Smith

Nomination Information

Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 30, 2026, so nominate an individual, family-owned business, or small business (including your own) by submitting the online nomination form for 2026. Note that nominees do not need to be current members of the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center or working with the Arkansas Small Business Technology and Development Center.

All award categories are listed below.

Submit Nominations

 

Event Details 

  • Business / Business Casual

  • The business must be located in Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Scott, or Polk counties in Arkansas or Le Flore or Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma.
  • Nominations will be accepted until Sept. 24, 2025.
  • Businesses and individuals CAN nominate themselves and are encouraged to do so.
  • Nominees DO NOT need to be current members of the UAFS Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center or Small Business Technology and Development Center.
  • To qualify for a small business award, the business must have no more than 50 employees.
  • To qualify for a family-owned business award, the business should have at least two family members actively participating in company management, and the family must have a controlling interest in the business.
  • To qualify for the “Advisor of the Year Award,” the individual should be primarily engaged in providing resources to either  family or small businesses. 
  • There will be one winner per award, but the awards committee may give out two awards in cases where two companies or individuals are difficult to make a decision.
  • One nomination per person/per award but multiple people within an organization can nominate.
  • Winners cannot win the same award more than once.

For questions about the event, contact either Justin Smith at Justin.SmithFREEuafs or Chelsea Cowan at Chelsea.CowanFREEuafs.

Award Categories

Click on the categories below to view the description of each award.

To qualify for a Small Business Award, the business must have no more than 50 employees.

  • Technology and Innovation Business Award – Highlights a small business that has demonstrated innovative thinking as the primary driver of its success through products, services, or processes, resulting in meaningful growth or scalability.
  • Early Success and Growth Award – Acknowledges a small business that has achieved rapid traction and measurable growth within a short timeframe, such as customer acquisition, revenue generation, or market expansion.
  • Small Business of the Year Award – This is the highest honor in the Small Business Awards category, recognizing a small business that has achieved outstanding performance, resilience, and impact. Honorees exhibit a powerful combination of sustained growth, innovative practices, and a deep commitment to their customers, employees, and community. This award celebrates a business that not only thrives in a competitive market, but sets the standard for excellence in small business leadership.

To qualify for a family-owned business award, the business should have at least two family members actively participating in company management, and the family must have a controlling interest in their business.

  • Legacy Champion Award – Honors an individual whose leadership within a family business exemplifies the highest standards of excellence, contributing significantly to both the business and the broader community. This award celebrates those who champion the preservation and enhancement of family legacies, whether they are a family member or a trusted non-family leader.
  • Emerging Luminary Award – Acknowledges an individual who is a rising leader or emerging talent within a family business and demonstrates exceptional promise and growing impact within the company and the broader community.
  • Family Unity Award – Recognizes a family-owned business characterized by strong familial bonds, collaborative spirit, and a shared vision among its members. This award highlights businesses where trust, unity, and genuine personal connections are cultivated and nurtured amongst family members.
  • Business Renewal Award – Commends a family business that has taken intentional steps to adapt, evolve, or reposition itself for the future, ensuring sustained growth, long-term viability, and thoughtful stewardship across generations
  • Family Business of the Year Award – This is the highest honor in the Family-Owned Business Awards category, awarded to a family-owned business that exemplifies multigenerational excellence, integrity, and leadership in its industry and community. This business stands out for its legacy of impact, commitment to shared values, and ability to navigate challenges while maintaining strong family cohesion. It is a model of how family businesses can drive innovation, stewardship, and meaningful change over time.
  • Business Advisor of the Year Award – Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional impact in advising or supporting family-owned or small businesses. This advisor provides strategic guidance, trusted counsel, and meaningful resources that contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of the businesses they serve.

Sponsor

Walcott Logo