The Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) is seeking nominations of the best family-owned Maine businesses to be recognized at the 23rd annual Maine Family Business Awards. 

All family-owned businesses in Maine are eligible for consideration; membership in IFOB is not required to be nominated. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged. For the purposes of the Maine Family Business 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.  Nominated businesses will know who nominated them for an award.

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

For more information about the awards and nomination process, please visit IFOB’s newly redesigned website at www.fambusiness.org or call the Institute at (207) 798-2667. The deadline for nominations is Friday, June 30, 2023. Nominated businesses will have until Friday, July 14 to complete the application for the awards which details their business history and more and automatically become semi-finalists. Any family business that completes the application will receive a free membership to the IFOB for the rest of the year which includes educational programs, networking events and more.

The Maine Family Business Awards are presented in partnership with MEMIC, the Maine-based employee safety insurance group, during a gala evening event that will take place on Wednesday, October 18 at an exciting new venue to be announced at a future date. Amanda Hill, Weeknight Anchor for NEWS CENTER Maine will host the awards again this year. Janet Cole Cross, of Cole Cross Connections, LLC will be honored with the BerryDunn Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chase Morrill, Ashely Morrill and Ryan Eldridge, creators of the Kennebec Cabin Company, LLC of Manchester, who achieved fame via the Maine Cabin Masters reality show, will be the guest speakers at the 2023 Maine Family Business Awards. Last year the Kennebec Cabin Company won the First Generation Award. Along with the company’s reality show they run a retail and online store featuring products by Maine artisans and craftspeople, as well as a bar, eatery and live music and event venue called The Woodshed. 

Awards to be presented include:

• Renys Large Business Award (25 or more employees)
• Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award
• Horch Roofing First Generation Award
• M&T Bank Innovation & Technology Award
• Shep Lee Community Service Award
• Maddy Corson Small Business Award (fewer than 25 employees)
• Geiger Environmental Leadership Award

An independent judging panel selects winners based on criteria that include the nature of family involvement, the success of the business, the work environment, and innovative business practices or strategies.

Honorees in 2022 included Luke’s Lobster, Loyal Biscuit Co., S.W. Collins Company, Box of Maine, Kennebec Cabin Company, Franklin Printing and Rugged Seas.

Sponsors of the Maine Family Business Awards include title sponsor MEMIC, L.L. Bean, Machias Savings Bank, Renys, Family Enterprise USA, Chalmers Insurance Group, BerryDunn, Verrill, M&T Bank, Geiger, Skowhegan Savings, Digital Research, Inc., Volk Packaging Corporation, Zachau Construction, Cross Insurance, Lee Auto Malls, Oakhurst, Bangor Savings Bank, Morong Falmouth, Horch Roofing, Norway Savings Bank, Maine HR Convention, Down East, Direct Mail of Maine, flyte new media, AV Technik, Mainebiz, Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, and Sun Journal.

About the Institute for Family-Owned Business:

Now in its 29th year, the Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting family-owned businesses, which represent about 80 percent of all businesses in Maine. Through consulting, seminars, workshops, and networking, the Institute assists family-owned firms in meeting the unique managerial challenges associated with operating and sustaining a successful family enterprise. Additional information is available on the Institute’s website, www.fambusiness.org.