Staff report

Sixteen family-owned businesses from the Mahoning Valley will be honored at the fifth annual Family-Owned Business Recognition Dinner on Feb. 18 at The Lake Club in Poland.

The event is being presented by the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber and partners Huntington, HBK, Roetzel & Andress and JFS Wealth Advisors.

The Family-Owned Business Program was designed to help family businesses of all sizes and industries with succession planning, including maximizing value, understanding tax implications and myriad other aspects during the transition of a business. The dinner event showcases the successes and importance of family-owned businesses in our community.

Of the 16 selected honorees, one will be chosen from each category as the recipient of a special award. The four unique categories, listed below, are designed to highlight a family-owned business or individual that has excelled in each.

Submissions are due by Dec. 16.

The categories are:

• Success in Succession: This category highlights a well-executed and unique succession plan that occurred in recent years. Participants should emphasize how the deal came together, what factors were driving the deal and how the company is performing afterward.

• Social Impact Award: This category is focused on a family-owned business that went above and beyond to support the community while leveraging the business. Nominees should show how the business has made a difference to the community in a positive way.

• Local to National Presence: This award goes to a family-owned business that has developed a national or global presence while remaining family-owned.

• Growth Story: This award is for a family-owned business that took its enterprise to the next level. This could be a business that creatively changed its business model or experienced phenomenal growth.

In addition to receiving recognition at the event, all 16 selected nominees will be highlighted on various forms of social media and in the Chamber’s Valley Business Magazine.

Whitney Haslam Johnson and JW Johnson, managing partners of Haslam Sports Group — owner of the Cleveland Browns — arer keynote speakers for the dinner. The Johnsons bring a unique perspective on family enterprise, professional sports and community impact.

The nomination form is available at https://shor turl.at/OPocY.

For more information, contact Kim Calvert, executive vice president, Membership, Events, MarComm, at Kim@RegionalChamber.com or (330) 744.2131, Ext. 1235.