2026 New & Emerging Business Excellence Award Nomination

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of its members with the presentation of our annual Business Excellence Awards*.

The New and Emerging Business Award is presented to a member business in McLean County with growing success. Eligible businesses must be new to McLean County and exhibit excellence in business practices, community service and employee relations. They’re a growing business that is making their mark in McLean County through engagement with the Chamber and other service organizations, providing new job opportunities, and have proven business growth. Eligible businesses must have 3 or more employees. (# of employees is calculated with full-time employees counting as 1, and part-time employees counting as .5)

Previous winners of the New and Emerging Business Award include:
Lil Beaver Brewery (2018)
Brandt (2019)
CRAFTED Commons (2021)
BloNo Pizza Co. (2022)
AXIS 360 (2023)
Bonchon (2024)
Nautical Bowls (2025)

In order to be eligible for this award, the business or organization must meet the following requirements:

• Be a member in good standing with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce

• Business must have 3 or more employees

• Have been in operation for at least 6 months, but less than 3 years as of September 1, 2025.

• For-profit business with growing success in McLean County's business community

• Demonstrate excellence in business practices, community service and employee relations

• Show proven business growth

• Not be a previous recipient of this specific award*

Recipients of this award are eligible to win other Business Excellence Awards in the future, but not back to back years.

Associations, companies, or individuals may nominate new and emerging businesses that meet the requirements of this award. Self-nominations are accepted.

Nominations must be received by 5pm on October 19, 2026.

All finalists will be asked to submit additional supporting information including a business professional resume, letters of recommendation, and photos for their nomination packet, which will be due by December 7, 2026. Finalists are also required to be in attendance at the Chamber's Annual Gala on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

*Judged and selected by chamber executives from across our state, these prestigious awards will be presented on Saturday, February 6, 2027, as part of the Chamber's Annual Gala.

Fields marked with an * are required.

Nominator Information

Nominator Name *

Nominator Email *

Nominator Phone Number *

Criteria

This business is a current McLean County Chamber of Commerce member. *

*Please understand non-member businesses may be nominated, however, in order to be a qualifying candidate, businesses must join the Chamber prior to nomination deadline of Monday, October 19th in order to be considered.

Yes

I have received permission to nominate this individual/company/organization. *

*It is required to get permission in advance from the nominee.

Yes

Please specify why you feel this business should be recognized. *

Provide information on general business operations, business growth and future plans, community involvement, Chamber involvement, and information that sets the business apart from others in the same business area. The judges will score the nomination based on these categories.

Maximum 500 words.

Nominated Business Information

Nominated Business Name *

Nominated Business Address *

Years in Business *

Size of Organization *

Nominated Business Primary Contact *

Nominated Business Contact Email *

Nominated Business Phone Number *

Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.