2026 Business Awards
We’re thrilled to celebrate the remarkable individuals, businesses, and nonprofits nominated by our community. Preview the nominees, make your picks, and then celebrate with us as we reveal the winners at the Annual Gala on November 21st. Need tickets? Head to the Gala page for info!
Small Business of the Year
AA Accounting, LLC
SK Security
J's BBQ Smokehouse & Catering
Woof's Play & Stay
Strauss Peyton Portrait Studio
Zoom Room
Corporate Business of the Year
30hop
IKEA
Clinical Counseling Associates
Lifted Logic
Fogo de Chao
Nonprofit Organization of the Year
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
Special Olympics Kansas
CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties
St. Mark's Food Pantry - Santa Fe Waystation
Downtown Overland Park Partnership
Warman Service Award - Volunteer of the Year
Bridget Anaya
(Funeral Business Consulting)
Jenny Smith
(City of Mission Parks + Recreation)
Cathy Holub
(IKEA Merriam)
Meredith Reynolds
(Reynolds Automotive)
Esther Jost-Mengarelli
(CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties)
Mitch Ray
(Pinnacle Staffing Group)
Vote for Award Winners
Final voting is open to the community at large (Chamber members, patrons, and NEJC community members) from August 10, 2026 to 5pm on August 17, 2026. Only one vote per person/email address is allowed during the nomination and voting period. Recipients are honored with these prestigious awards during a awards ceremony at The Annual Gala on November 21st, 2026.
Vote here: https://business.nejcchamber.com/nominations
Past Honorees
Small Business of the Year
- 2025 - AR's Breakfast & Brunch
- 2024 Advocates for Seniors
- 2023 State Farm – Denise Garcia
- 2022 Sirna Brothers
- 2021 Kennyhertz Perry, LLC
- 2020 Lulu’s Boutique
- 2019 Toppers Pizza
- 2018 Springboard Creative
- 2017 Casey’s Auto Repair
- 2016 Twisted Sisters Coffee Shop
- 2015 Turning Point Home Solutions, Inc.
- 2014 The Barn Players & SpeedPro Imaging Shawnee
Corporate Business of the Year
- 2025 - Drake Development
- 2024 ServPro
- 2023 GFL Environmental
- 2022 Security Bank of Kansas City
- 2021 Johnson County Community College
- 2020 Johnson County Park and Recreation District
- 2019 Saint Lukes Health System
- 2018 ScriptPro
- 2017 Costco Wholesale
- 2016 First National Bank
- 2015 The University of Kansas Medical Center
- 2014 AdventHealth
Non Profit of the Year (Est. 2019)
- 2025 The Barn Players
- 2024 Tyler’s House
- 2023 Growing Futures Early Education Center, INC
- 2022 CAPA
- 2021 The Farmer’s House
- 2020 Growing Futures Early Education Center
- 2019 Horizons Academy
New Business of the Year (Award retired in 2019)
- 2018 KC Pretzel Boy’s
- 2017 1889 Pizza Napoletana
- 2016 Nothing Bundt Cakes
- 2015 Buggies Pest Control
- 2014 Twisted Sisters Coffee Shop
Warman Service Award
Evergy recognizes recipients of the Warman Service Award: This award is given to recognize an individual in the NEJC Chamber who exemplifies the generosity of Dale Warman, past Chairman of the Board and longtime Chamber volunteer.
- 2025 Ben Broderick, Great American Bank
- 2024 Denise Garcia, State Farm
- 2023 David Swinehart, Hart Media Solutions
- 2022 Linda Adams, Cherry-Pickers Marketing
- 2021 Mark Naster, Hillcrest Transitional Housing
- 2020 Angelo Zuniga, Pinnacle Employer Services
- 2019 Joseph Matovu, Retired
- 2018 Cat Heisler, Pete’s Pest Control
- 2017 Fire Chief Tony Lopez, Consolidated Fire District No. 2
- 2016 Jennifer Pantoja, Hampton Inn
- 2015 Cindy Heckman, Village Flower Company
- 2014 Jose Ramirez, Moss Printing