2026 Business & Leadership Awards Nominations
The Business & Leadership Awards Luncheon was established by William Carey University and the Gulf Coast Business Council to recognize and celebrate leadership at every level—from small business owners to large-scale corporate and organizational leaders—while strengthening connections between education, industry, and community.
Nominate a leader
Nomination Procedure
- Candidates may self-nominate.
- Submit completed nomination form by June 1, 2026.
The Small Business Leadership Award recognizes a small business owner or family whose leadership has made a meaningful economic, social, and cultural contribution to the community. Qualifications - Nominees must exhibit respectable character in the community, and their mission must not conflict with the mission of William Carey University. - Nominees may be from either for-profit or not-for-profit sectors. - Nominees must employ 100 people or less. - Business operations are localized geographically except for marketing. - Financing of business is supplied by one individual or a small group.
The Joseph C. Canizaro Leadership Award recognizes an executive leader, leadership team, or entrepreneur demonstrating exceptional leadership, ethical business practices, and measurable community impact at a regional or enterprise level. Qualifications - Nominees must exhibit respectable character in the community, and their mission must not conflict with the mission of William Carey University. - Open to any size business operating regionally. - The organization must demonstrate a significant presence or measurable impact on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Luncheon to be held June 23, 2026 at The Great Southern Club in Gulfport, Mississippi.
