2026 SMBEA Application Profile & Overview

Disclaimer

By submitting this Application Profile and supplemental materials, Company authorizes The Sterling Council to use and publish articles, press releases, photographs, videos, logos, and any other form of print or digital media for educational, informational, and promotional purposes about the company. Print, video, and digital materials may be used in, but not limited to, The Sterling Council publications, newsletters, news articles, promotional materials, websites, social media, etc. Company waives the right to inspect or approve the product before publishing. Company hereby releases The Sterling Council, and anyone authorized by The Sterling Council to use the print, video, logos and digital materials and other materials concerning the company from any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses which company now has or may hereafter have by reason of any use thereof. Company understands that all media, video, audio or other materials produced and used by The Sterling Council, will be the property of The Sterling Council and subsequently in the public domain.

Expectations

• All participating manufacturers will be provided with written and verbal feedback from their Company evaluation, offering specific identified Company strengths and opportunities for improvement, as well as recommendations.
• Award Recipients will be announced mid-May 2026. SMBE Award participants are encouraged to attend the recognition and award event on May 29, 2026, at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek in Orlando.
• SMBE Award participants should expect to be invited to participate in knowledge sharing activities in the Regional manufacturing community, which may include participation in virtual or in-person plant tours, expositions and company displays, webinars, and other development events.
• SMBE Award participants will be invited to provide an examiner to represent the company in the 2027 awards process.
• Recipients will be invited to join The Sterling Council Board of Directors at the Honorary Designation Level at no-cost for the First Year.
• Company commitment includes a nominal fee investment for this award process with other promotional benefits, based on number of employees (FTEs) according to this schedule. Fee invoiced upon receipt of this Application.

Included in the fee are: Evaluation Process, Live and Written Feedback Reporting, Sterling Press Releases and other promotional activity for Evaluated Companies, No-Charge Sterling Executive Roundtable participation, No-Cost Expo Hall Table at Annual Sterling Conference, Reduced Conference Registration rate, Table Reservation at Awards Ceremony. Recipients will be invited to join The Sterling Council Board of Directors at the Honorary Designation Level no-cost for the First Year.

Time investment for the evaluation process by the nominated manufacturing company is about six to eight hours over several weeks from January to April 2026.

Other Important Information

• Eligibility: All manufacturers with production facilities in Florida and Georgia, not having won the Gold Level award in 2024 or 2025, are eligible to participate. Membership in any association is not required. A nomination may be made by any individual or organization including any industry group, supplier, customer, workforce or economic development organization, University/College/School, or government agency. Self-nominations are also acceptable.
• Only one profile per company per year will be accepted. If a company has multiple manufacturing facilities in Florida or Georgia and more than one submits a profile, the first one received will be the one considered.

If you have questions, please direct them to Phil Centonze, 954-684-2642, or Info@TheSMBEA.org.