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 (2025 Nominees)

Winner: AR's Breakfast & Brunch

Clinical Counseling Associates (CCA)

Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop

Corporate Business of the Year (2025 Nominees)

Winner: Drake Development

Pinnacle Staffing Group

Nonprofit Organization of the Year (2025 Nominees)

Winner: The Barn Players

CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties

Friends of JCDS

Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Ben Broderick

Christina Wilkins

Vote for Awards Winners

Final voting is open to the community at large (Chamber members, patrons, and NEJC community members) from August 3, 2026 to 5pm on August 10, 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.

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