Nominations for the 2026 Ovation Awards are now open!

Know an outstanding leader? A dedicated volunteer? A dynamic up-and comer? Or maybe you are one!

Nominate or apply for the 2026 Ovation Awards! This year, we are honoring the individuals in the community that are making a difference in Kenosha County – leading businesses, giving back, and demonstrating excellence in all they do.

Apply or nominate your colleagues, mentors, mentees, customers, business partners – anyone deserving –  for these prestigious recognitions!

The process is entirely online and it only takes a few minutes to complete. We do not expect nominators to know everything – KABA will follow up with the nominated person for additional information if they choose to accept the nomination.

Each nominator or applicant will be entered into a drawing to receive two complimentary tickets to the 2026 Ovation Awards Dinner.

All nominations must be submitted by Friday, August 29, 2025.

Please review the eligibility criteria for each award before submitting nominations. You may nominate more than one person for each award and the same person for multiple awards. Be sure to complete each nomination as completely as possible and include your contact information.

Business Leader of the Year

Applicant/nominee must be a professional who has worked for a company that has been in business for at least three years, and will be evaluated based on leadership in the business community, a commitment to community service, and contribution to the growth or continued success of the company at which he or she works. The company the applicant/nominee works for must be a for-profit entity, have operations within Kenosha County and be an investor/member in good standing of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.

Community Impact Award

Applicants/nominees must be a professional who has had a tangible, positive effect on the community through initiatives that address specific needs, improve quality of life, or promote positive change in Kenosha County. This could include active participation in community events, volunteering, or financial contributions. The nominee’s contributions should be seen as going beyond their typical professional or volunteer roles.

The applicant/nominee must work for a company or organization with operations within Kenosha County which is an investor/member in good standing of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.

Applicants/nominees must be a young professional (under app. 40 years old) that has demonstrated leadership among his or her peers, initiative, a commitment to community service, and has contributed to the growth and/or continued success of the company at which he or she works. The applicant/nominee must work for a company or organization with operations within Kenosha County which is an investor/member in good standing of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance.

An award selection committee comprised of previous award winners; representatives from the staff and board of directors of KABA and BizTimes Media; as well as representatives from UW-Parkside, Gateway Technical College, and Carthage College.

The Ovation Awards have been honoring excellence in business in Kenosha County since 2005. Past recipients of the Business of the Year award include Niagara Bottling, Heartland Produce, Catalyst Exhibits, Good Foods Group, ULINE, Kenall Manufacturing, Rust-Oleum Corporation, Allied Plastics and Snap-on Incorporated.

The 2026 awards will be presented at an annual dinner hosted by KABA on Thursday, February 5, 2026. Watch for additional details to be available soon!

Interested in sponsorship?  Please contact KABA at info@kaba.org or 262.605.1100.