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Michiganders invited to attend Michigan Celebrates Small Business Summit in Lansing on April 21

Friday, March 21st, 2025

Michiganders invited to attend Michigan Celebrates Small Business Summit in Lansing on April 21

Event targeted to small business owners, but all are welcome

Lansing, Mich – Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) is hosting a Small Business Summit ahead of its annual awards gala on April 21st in Lansing.

The summit will include a luncheon with a small business panel presentation, networking, 15 breakout sessions and a robust exhibit hall featuring resources for small business owners. It takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 21, with a Capitol Day experience and the annual Awards Gala taking place on Tuesday, April 22. Ticket information for all activities is available at michigancelebrates.org.

“The Michigan Celebrates Small Business Summit is an opportunity for small businesses to come together and connect, while gaining knowledge to accelerate their future success,” said SBAM President & CEO Brian Calley. “We are excited to build on the rich history of Michigan Celebrates with the addition of this summit centered around resources for small business owners.”

Breakout sessions at the MCSB Small Business Summit will include branding, engaging with the media, building a sellable business, busting myths on access and opportunity, fraud mitigation, cybersecurity and more.

MCSB offers a platform for Michigan companies to be recognized for their business endeavors and positive impact on the state’s economy. The gala launched in 2004 and has become Michigan’s premier awards program for small business. There have been over 1,000 companies honored at MCSB over the past 20 years, including 950 second-stage companies recognized by the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award. This year 90 small businesses will be honored.

The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) Foundation now serves as managing partner of MCSB, under the direction of a new advisory committee. The advisory committee includes:

About Michigan Celebrates Small Business

Michigan Celebrates Small Business was created by a group of founding organizations that offer resources for small businesses. Since 2004, the annual awards gala has celebrated how small businesses positively impact our communities and state. MCSB is focused on supporting, connecting and celebrating small businesses in Michigan.

MCSB Announces 2025 Awardees

Tuesday, March 4th, 2025

Michigan Celebrates Small Business announces 2025 awardees from across the state

90 small business owners and supporters will be celebrated at East Lansing gala on April 22

Lansing, MI – Michigan Celebrates Small Business today unveiled a range of accolades for small business owners throughout the state, including recognition for Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch and the introduction of new categories specifically for microbusinesses and disability-owned businesses. Launched in 2004, the Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards have been celebrating and elevating Michigan small businesses for more than two decades, with over 1,000 companies having been honored over the past 20 years.

After receiving more than 650 nominations for the competitive 2025 awards program, 90 Michigan small businesses will be recognized for their role in growing the state’s economy, creating jobs and being an integral part of communities from Muskegon to Ironwood to Ann Arbor. The full list of 2025 award recipients can be found at MichiganCelebrates.org.

Small Business owners and supporters from across Michigan will gather in April to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2025 awardees who have contributed to Michigan’s economy and are poised for sustained growth and success. This year’s celebration includes a small business summit and VIP reception on Monday April 21st, with a Capitol Day and black-tie awards gala on April 22nd.

“Michigan’s small businesses have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Even amidst significant challenges, these recipients of Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards are innovating and growing in extraordinary ways,” said Brian Calley, President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated entrepreneurs as the core of our state’s economy. They deserve all the recognition they can get, and we’re excited to bring everyone together next month to honor their achievements.”

MCSB offered nine awards categories this year to honor the diverse landscape of small businesses, including the notable Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award.

The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch must be second-stage companies, defined as having 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent (FTE) employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. The companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan. Judges for this award evaluate the applicants’ demonstration of intent and capacity to grow based on employee  or sales growth, entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage, and other notable factors that showcase the company’s success.

Other small business awards are presented at the gala, including:

New awards this year are:

The full list of 2025 award winners can be found at https://michigancelebrates.org/mcsb-awardees/.

Nominations open for 21st Annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards

Monday, October 7th, 2024

Lansing, Mich – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) Awards program, a prestigious annual competition honoring thriving small businesses and their supporters. The nominations open with the addition of two new honors: the Disability-Owned Small Business Awards and the Micro Business Awards.

MCSB offers a platform for Michigan companies to be recognized for their business endeavors and positive impact on the state’s economy. The gala launched in 2004 and has become Michigan’s premier awards program for small business. There have been over 1,000 companies honored at MCSB over the past 20 years, including 950 second-stage companies recognized by the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award.

The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) Foundation will now serve as managing partner of the program, under the direction of a new advisory committee. The Foundation is planning new developments to transform and expand the program with small business focused activities and the renowned awards gala. The advisory committee includes:

“The SBAM Foundation is excited to build upon the rich history that the Michigan Celebrates Small Business program has brought to Michigan’s entrepreneurial economy,” said SBAM Foundation Board Chair Brian Calley. “We encourage people to nominate small businesses and join us in celebrating their achievements.”

Awards open for nominations include:

Awards also will be presented to MCSB Alumni who were previously awarded as a Michigan 50 Company to Watch. The two award categories include:

Nominate a business! Self-nomination is also encouraged.

Nominations close on November 11, 2024. All awards will be presented at the Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Gala in April 2025.

About Michigan Celebrates Small Business

Michigan Celebrates Small Business was created by a group of founding organizations that offer resources for small businesses. Since 2004, the annual awards gala has celebrated how small businesses positively impact our communities and state. MCSB is focused on supporting, connecting and celebrating small businesses in Michigan.