Celebrating the Achievements of our 2025 Award Honorees

Nominate your family business
for a 2026 Award

Central Ohio’s Only Awards Program Celebrating Family Businesses

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, we came together at the Hilton Easton in Columbus to honor the achievements of Central Ohio family businesses at the 27th Annual Family Business Awards & Expo.

You can VIEW this year's list of award recipients and explore the photo gallery featuring all the honorees at the bottom of this page.

Before the Awards luncheon, Conway Center members had the chance to participate in the Family Business Expo, showcasing their companies, products, and services to hundreds of family business leaders and advisors.

VIEW the Expo participant directory and find the photo gallery of candid Expo moments at the bottom of this page.

The Awards luncheon celebrates honorees across categories that embody the essential elements of family business success: effective generational leadership transitions, innovative solutions to complex business challenges, significant community contributions, and exceptional dedication to their employees, customers, and business partners.

The 2025 Family Business Awards & Expo was made possible through the unwavering commitment of our valued sponsors. Our sincere thanks go to signature sponsors First Merchants Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Taft/; visionary sponsor Park National Bank; contributing sponsors Meaden & Moore, Porter Wright, and SWACO; and media sponsor Columbus CEO. We also gratefully acknowledge the generous in-kind support from our family business members Artina towards the trophies and Citicom for the printed programs.

More than 425 companies have been honored in the past 27 years and represent many of Central Ohio's finest family-owned businesses. VIEW our past Award winners.

Nominations are now open for the November 18, 2026 Family Business Awards!

NOMINATE a family business (including your own!) by submitting the nomination form. Nominees do not have to be members of the Conway Center to be considered for an award.

All award categories are listed at the bottom of this page. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Award Categories

Nominations are available year-round. We are now accepting nominations for our 2026 program! Click on the categories below to view the description of each award.

Conway Center Champion

Recognizes organizations or individuals that have shown significant support to the success of the Conway Center or who have made substantial gifts during life, and/or have included the Conway Center for Family Business in their estate plans.

Nominate

Family Business of the Year

Recognizes a family business that has made a significant contribution to their industry or the Central Ohio business community. Winner in this category will be asked to give short remarks.

Nominate

J. Richard Emens Lifetime Achievement

Recognizes a family business leader who has made a significant contribution to their industry or the Central Ohio business community. Winner in this category will be asked to give short remarks.

Nominate

Milestone Achievement

Recognizes family businesses that have reached a significant anniversary milestone during the award year.

Nominate

Resiliency Award

Recognizes a family business that has persevered, re-invented themselves, worked hard on sustainability of the family business, and/or that has come back from adversity.

Nominate