Nominations Open for 2026 EntreCon Awards Honoring Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Nominations officially opened yesterday for the 2026 EntreCon Awards, inviting residents and community leaders across Northwest Florida to recognize the entrepreneurs, small businesses, and organizational leaders driving growth in the Pensacola area.

Organized by the Studer Community Institute (SCI), the annual awards program honors individuals and entities whose vision, leadership, and commitment create a lasting positive impact in the region. The awards cover organizations at every stage of their lifecycle, from newly established start-ups to large corporate enterprises across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Recognizing Leadership and Enterprise

The EntreCon Awards are held in conjunction with SCI’s annual conference focused on leadership, business development, and regional growth. A total of ten award categories will be presented during the 2026 program to celebrate business achievement, innovation, and community involvement.

While the complete list of 2026 category definitions is being finalized, recognized honors from previous years include the Rodney Jackson Minority-Owned Business of the Year award, which highlights business growth, creative vision, and social responsibility.

Ceremony and Keynote Speaker

The 2026 EntreCon Awards presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Pensacola.

Capt. Chandra Newman, USN, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola, will deliver the opening address for the ceremony. Capt. Newman’s remarks will emphasize the vital role of leadership, service, and strong partnerships between Northwest Florida’s military installations and civilian business stakeholders.

Nomination Requirements and Details

Local business owners and community members can prepare materials as official nomination forms and category definitions are published on the official event platform. While formal submission deadlines and specific judging criteria will be fully detailed in upcoming releases, previous application processes have required key organizational growth metrics.

Nominator materials generally include:

• Business age and operational history
• Employee count and workforce metrics
• Annual revenue figures and demonstrated growth
• Participation in professional training or leadership development programs
• A summary of mission impact and community leadership

For more information on submission details and upcoming announcements, visit the official Studer Community Institute and EntreCon websites.

Sources

• EntreCon® | Studer Community Institute
• Awards Entry Form – New 3 | ENTRECON 2025
• Studer Community Institute – EntreCon
• EntreCon Pensacola Awards Entry Form

This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.