Nominations sought for Maine Family Business Awards

File Photo / Foreside Photography Winners of the 2022 Maine Family Business Awards at last year's event.

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Nominations are being sought for the 2023 Maine Family Business Awards, which recognizes enterprises that go the extra mile, whether they are members of the Portland-based nonprofit Institute for Family-Owned Business or not.

The winners will be announced and celebrated in October, when Janet Cole Cross of Cole Cross Connections LLC will be honored with the BerryDunn Lifetime Achievement Award.

For the purpose of the awards, a family business is one in which one owner either shares ownership or works in the business with at least one other family member (contemporaneously, or over time), and has a commitment to the continuation of the enterprise. Self-nominations are encouraged.

“Each year we are excited to honor the incredible family businesses that are thriving here in Maine,” said Catherine Wygant Fossett, IFOB’s executive director. “Since the Maine Family Business Awards were started in 2000, we have recognized more than 100 family-owned businesses for their excellence.”

Nominations are due by June 30, and nominated businesses will have until July 14, to complete an application with details about their business history and more, after which they automatically become semi-finalists. Find out more and submit a nomination here.

Any family business that completes the application will receive a free membership to IFOB for the rest of the year for access to benefits that include educational programs and networking events.

The Maine Family Business Awards will be presented in partnership with MEMIC at an Oct. 18 event at an "exciting new venue to be announced at a later date," according to IFOB.

Last year’s winners included the Manchester-based Kennebec Cabin Co. of Manchester, whose owners achieved worldwide fame via the “Maine Cabin Masters” reality show, and Farmington’s Franklin Printing.

This year, Kennebec Cabin Co. creators Chase Morrill, Ashely Morrill and Ryan Eldridge will return as guest speakers for the 2023 awards presentation.