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Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re joining us for the annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Gala or want to learn more about our programs, this page covers the most common questions we receive.

Awards Gala FAQ

When is the Gala?

The 2026 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards gala will be held April 21 – 22, 2026.

The 2026 Michigan Celebrates Small Business event will be held in the Greater Lansing area on April 21 & 22.

April 21:

Small Business Summit – Kellogg Center
VIP Reception – Kellogg Center

April 22:

Capitol Day – House Office Building
Gala – Breslin Center

All are welcome that want to celebrate and support Michigan small businesses.

The MCSB awards gala is the “Academy Awards” of the Michigan small business community. It is attended by growing companies, community leaders, and others that seek to recognize the most significant contributions of small business to the Michigan economy.

MCSB is planning a spectacular and engaging evening full of excitement to celebrate our small business awardees.

The awards program is made possible through the support of our sponsors. Please visit our Become a Sponsor page for details.

If you have additional questions about Michigan Celebrates Small Business, please contact us at info@michigancelebrates.org or (517) 482-8788.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business FAQ

What is Michigan Celebrates Small Business?

Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) represents one of the most substantial collaborations of small business support resources in the nation. MCSB exists to raise the profile of small businesses in Michigan, build a network of entrepreneurial companies, and tell the stories of successful, growing Michigan entrepreneurs.

MCSB is driven by the MCSB Advisory Committee organizations:

  • Edward Lowe Foundation
  • Michigan Black Business Alliance
  • West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
  • Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM)
  • Kinexus Group
  • Michigan Rehabilitation Services
  • National Veteran Business Development Council

See the Awards page for a complete list of award types and eligibility criteria.

Anyone may nominate a company. Nominations typically come from service providers (accountants, bankers, attorneys, public relations professionals and others); economic development offices; trade, business and community associations; the media; and universities. Past Companies to Watch award recipients are encouraged to nominate their peers. You can even nominate yourself if you meet the criteria for receiving the award.

Nominations for the 2026 event are now open! You can submit a nominating by clicking here!

MCSB is supported by about fifty judges from across the state who have established experience in small business growth, economic development, community leadership, and banking. Judges are typically selected from the non-profit or public sector. Collectively, more than one-thousand hours are dedicated to evaluating and rating award applications based on how the companies best demonstrate award criteria.

All applicants will be notified by e-mail in early 2026, once the final round of judging delibrations have concluded, regarding the status of their application. Please contact us with questions related to the status of your nomination or application.

 

The SBAM Foundation