The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber has announced the nominees for its 2026 Business Recognition Breakfast Awards Ceremony and Annual Meeting, an event that celebrates excellence, collaboration and community impact across the region’s business landscape.
The annual event is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20, at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center’s Grand Upton Hall.
Chamber President and CEO Arthur Havlicek said the awards reflect the strength and diversity of Southwest Michigan’s business and nonprofit communities.
“Each year, the nominations highlight the strength, innovation, and community commitment that make our region thrive,” Havlicek said. “They are a powerful reminder that we are truly stronger together and that collaboration, leadership, and shared purpose continue to drive meaningful impact across Southwest Michigan.”
Havlicek said the breakfast also serves as the Chamber’s annual meeting, offering an update on its work over the past year while looking ahead to future growth.
“This event is really an annual celebration of the region’s business community and all of the excellence that’s occurred in the past year,” he said.
“The second half of the event is especially exciting because we get to celebrate the best of the best — businesses, organizations and individuals who are making Southwest Michigan a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
The 2026 awards are organized into business-focused, community-focused and individual-focused categories.
Business-focused nominees include:
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Best New Business: Ellsbury Commercial Group, Gym Rat Performance and Wellness, Melrose Aesthetic, The Batalis Agency – Farm Bureau Insurance, and The Grant Hotel.
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Economic Impact Award: Berrien County, Corewell Health, Four Winds Casinos, and Holtec International.
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Small Business of the Year: 2nd & Main Coffeehouse + Bar, Bread + Bar, Naturally You Aesthetics Medical Spa, and Zo’s Mini Donuts.
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Non-Profit of the Year: Meals on Wheels, New Heights CCDA, Redbud Area Ministries, and Region IV Area Agency on Aging.
Community-focused nominees for the Community Placemaking Award include:
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City of Buchanan – Downtown Infrastructure Project
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Lake Charter Township – John Gast Memorial Trail
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New Buffalo Township – Disc Golf Course at Glassman Park
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Village of Berrien Springs – Mechanic Street Project
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Lincoln Charter Township – John Beers Sidewalk Project
Individual-focused nominees include:
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Rising Star Award: Allison Brown of ServPro, Austin Batalis of The Batalis Agency – Farm Bureau Insurance, Chris Britton of New Heights CCDA, and James Morris of Gym Rat Performance and Wellness.
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Pat Moody Award: Jeffery Bradford and Matt Davis of Wightman, and Megan Yore of Sturgis Bank.
In keeping with tradition, the Chamber will also recognize one of its ambassadors as the 2026 Ambassador of the Year.
Havlicek said this year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” reflects increased collaboration across communities and organizations throughout Berrien County and the broader region.
“We’ve seen more partnerships across communities and across the county,” he said. “Without that type of collaboration and partnership, our region is just not going to move forward.”
He added that the Chamber will once again use live voting during the breakfast, allowing attendees to select award winners in real time.
“This is the largest business event in Southwest Michigan,” Havlicek said. “It’s a room you’ll want to be in as we celebrate, reflect and rally the business community to do even more in the year ahead.”
Tickets for the event are currently available. Additional event details and ticket information are available online at this link.
