2026 ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Nominations are now closed!

Thank you to all the many champions of our outstanding local businesses and leaders who submitted a nomination. The three finalists in each category will be announced in December.

Be sure to get your ticket to join us on February 5, 2026, as we celebrate Round Rock’s brightest stars at the 86th Annual Business Awards banquet.

The Investor of the Year is awarded to an individual whose involvement in the chamber’s programs, councils and/or events, through both financial and/or volunteer support, contributed to the organization’s overall achievements. This individual is an active advocate of the chamber and must be a current investor in good standing.

The Entrepreneur of the Year is a passionate, visionary leader and innovator who has built and sustained one or more successful dynamic businesses in Round Rock while contributing to our community and supporting the development of a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Emerging Leader award recognizes an individual who is 40 years old or under who has achieved professional success and contributed to the Round Rock community in a meaningful way. The individual is deemed to have made an overall positive impact to the chamber through community involvement and volunteer support.

The Big Boy Hester Small Business of the Year award recognizes a local business in Round Rock with twenty employees or less. The award is based on the business’ involvement in the community, contributions to the chamber, and general volunteer support. The business is deemed to have made an overall positive impact on the local economy through job growth, tax revenue and in other areas.

The Business of the Year award recognizes a local business in Round Rock with twenty-one employees or more. The award is based on the business’ involvement in the community, contributions to the chamber, as well as their financial and volunteer support. The business is deemed to have made an overall positive impact on the local economy through job growth, tax revenue, and in other areas.

The Newcomer of the Year is a company that is new to the Round Rock community, having opened its doors within the last 12 months. This business or organization has quickly become engaged in the community and is a model for demonstrating a positive impact for Round Rock’s business community and/or its residents.

The Best Place to Work award recognizes a company or organization of any size that exemplifies excellence in the categories of: Company Culture; Employee Retention; Wellness and Work-Life Balance; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Environmental and Social Responsibility.

The Citizen of the Year has most exemplified the qualities of leadership, character, family life, and community service, and whose civic contributions have resulted in recent or current positive impact to Round Rock and the surrounding community.

The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes an individual who has continually, over a minimum of ten years, most exemplified the qualities of leadership, character, family life, and community service to the Round Rock community and to fellow community members. This may not be awarded every year.