CED Excellence Awards
Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards
You are invited to join us at the Bakery District in Fort Smith for our inaugural UAFS Center for Economic Development – Excellence Awards.
This event is dedicated to honoring the achievements of regional family-owned and small businesses. Additionally, we celebrate a significant milestone as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center, which has been instrumental in offering education and support to family businesses throughout the region.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: The Bakery District in Fort Smith
Event is SOLD OUT
Nomination Information
Nominations will be accepted until early September, so nominate an individual, family-owned business, or small business (including your own) by submitting the online nomination form for 2024. 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, along with a link to the online nomination form (closed).
The nomination deadline to be considered for a 2024 award is Wednesday, Sept. 12.
FAQs
- 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. 12, 2024.
- 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 company 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.
Keynote Speaker
Willie Robertson
We're thrilled to announce that Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander and Buck Commander and star of Duck Dynasty, will be gracing us as the keynote speaker at the inaugural CED Excellence Awards Oct. 24!
Willie will illuminate our event with his remarkable Robertson family business journey, illustrating how they transformed a modest enterprise into the thriving, multi-million dollar empire it stands as today. Known for his genuine Southern charisma and iconic beard, Willie captivates audiences with his storytelling prowess, offering insights into working alongside family, overcoming obstacles, and the guiding principles that fuel the growth of his family's business.
Award Categories
Sponsors