Cover Photo: Small Business of the Year 2025, Hanto and Clarke General Contractors
You’re invited to recognize outstanding local businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders ahead of November ceremony at the Saenger Theatre.
Studer Community Institute (SCI) is inviting the Pensacola community to submit nominations for the 2026 EntreCon® Awards, honoring businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders whose work has strengthened the local economy and community.
The nomination window is open and closes on Monday, August 17,2026.
Veteran Business Owner of the Year 2025: From the Mind of Elrico Tunstall StudiosThe EntreCon® Awards will be presented during an in-person ceremony, with keynote speaker CAPT Chandra Newman, United States Navy, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola, kicking off the two-dayEntreCon® Business and Leadership Conference on November 12–13.
This year’s conference theme, “INvest,”challenges leaders and organizations to invest intentionally in people, businesses and the future of our community.
“The EntreCon® Awards are one of our favorite ways to shine a light on the people and organizations who are truly investing in this community,” said Chris Heaney, Director of Building Jobs at the Studer Community Institute.
“We know there are incredible businesses and leaders doing this work every day, and we want the public’s help in finding them. If you know someone who deserves recognition, now is the time to nominate them.”
2026 Award Categories: Nominations are open in the following categories, honoring businesses and leaders at every stage of their journey:
Rodney Jackson Minority-Owned Business of the Year — Recognizes a minority-owned small businessdemonstrating outstanding achievement, social responsibility, creativity and leadership.
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year — Recognizes a veteran-owned small business demonstrating outstandingachievement, social responsibility, creativity and leadership.
Female Business Owner of the Year 2025: Alla Prima Coffee RoasterFemale-Owned Business of the Year — Recognizes a women-owned small business demonstrating outstanding achievement, social responsibility, creativity and leadership.
Emerging Business of the Year — Open to businesses launched within the last two years that show strong leadership, a promising vision and a clear mission.
Small Business of the Year — Open to businesses with fewer than 50 employees that prioritize employee inclusion, community involvement and innovation.
Large Business of the Year — Open to businesses with more than 50 employees that have adapted to change, driven economic growth and invested in employee development.
Non-Profit of the Year — Recognizes a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life through volunteering, partnerships or fundraising.
Entrepreneur of the Year — Recognizes an entrepreneur with a creative product or service that solves a marketplace problem while serving as a community leader.
Employer of the Year — Recognizes a business with an outstanding, supportive work environment, strong training programs and a commitment to work-life balance.
John Myslak Award for Servant Leader — Honors a leader who enriches the lives of others and helps build a more just and caring community, in memory of John Myslak.
Female Business Owner of the Year Runner Up 2025: The FarmThis year’s Awards Ceremony will feature guest speaker Captain Chandra Newman, USN, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola.
With more than two decades of distinguished military service across aviation, operations and strategic planning, Captain Newman brings a unique perspective on leadership, service and purpose to the evening’s program.
How to Nominate
Nominations will be accepted online at studeri.org/jobs/entrecon from now until August 17, 2026. The public is encouraged to nominate deserving businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders across any of the ten categories.
Winners will be announced live at the Awards Ceremony on November 11.
About EntreCon®
EntreCon® is an annual two-day business, leadership and entrepreneurship conference hosted by Studer Community Institute, drawing more than 400 attendees each year for access to local and national speakers and workshop leaders.EntreCon® 2026 will take place November 12–13 in downtown Pensacola, Florida. For more information or to register, visit studeri.org/jobs/entrecon.
