U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman has officially opened the call for nominations for the 2024 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards. As the leader of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the advocate for America’s 33 million small businesses within President Biden’s Cabinet, Administrator Guzman highlights the essential role SBA-assisted small businesses play in driving the American economy.
National Small Business Week celebrates and honors the remarkable achievements, victories, contributions, and resilience of these small businesses.
Administrator Guzman emphasized, “Small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy, embodying the American Dream for countless entrepreneurs. From neighborhood mom-and-pop shops to cutting-edge startups, small businesses create jobs, offer crucial services, and shape the character of the communities they serve. National Small Business Week is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishments and the indispensable contributions they make across the nation.”
Here’s how you can get involved:
Nomination Details:
To nominate a deserving small business owner in your area and access the necessary forms, criteria, and guidelines, visit sba.gov/nsbw. The deadline for all nominations is 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CT) on December 7, 2023.
Awards Ceremony:
The awards will be presented during the NSBW Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., taking place from April 28-29, 2024.
60 Years of Celebration:
For nearly six decades, the SBA has proudly observed National Small Business Week, shining a spotlight on the significant contributions of American entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Highlighting Excellence:
The SBA’s flagship award during NSBW is the Small Business Person of the Year. One business owner from each of the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, will be chosen for individual State Winner awards. These state winners will then vie for the prestigious title of National Small Business Person of the Year.
Additional Award Categories:
Nominations are also being accepted for various other award categories, including:
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
- Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery (recognizing resilience and contributions in disaster recovery)
- Federal Procurement Awards (honoring excellence in federal procurement)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence (celebrating large prime contractors that use small businesses as suppliers and contractors)
- 8(a) Graduate of the Year
- Awards to SBA Resource Partners (acknowledging excellence and innovation among SBA resource partners)
Local Recognition:
The SBA St. Louis District Office is excited to reintroduce a comprehensive range of Small Business Week awards this year. This expansion allows them to acknowledge more small businesses, especially those that may not receive recognition elsewhere, for their valuable contributions to local economies. The various award categories include Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year, Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year, Women-Owned Small Business of the Year, Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year, Family-Owned Small Business of the Year, Immigrant-Owned Small Business of the Year, HUBZone-Owned Small Business of the Year, Start-Up Small Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur Small Business of the Year, Technology Small Business of the Year, Home-Based Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Success Award Business of the Year, and Small Business Advocate of the Year. Note that SBA will present these awards at the St. Louis District level only, while awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will advance to the national competition.
Upcoming Webinar:
To assist potential nominators, the SBA St. Louis District Office will host a National Small Business Week Call for Award Nominees webinar on September 26 at 10:00 a.m. During this informative session, staff will provide valuable tips for submitting successful award nominations and address any questions you may have.
For additional details, local contacts, and related information, please visit SBA National Small Business Week. Join us in celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship and recognizing the small businesses that make a difference in our communities and beyond!
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