Presenting Sponsor
Program Sponsor
AGENDA
Welcome & Sponsor Recognition
Tracy Myers, EVP of Member and Investor Engagement
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
Introduction of Emcee
Tracy Myers
Sponsor Remarks
Robert Gray, Emcee
SVP of Business Services, Allegacy Financial
Lunch
Provided by 1618 on Location
Introduction of Keynote
Tracy Myers
Keynote Presentation
Ricochet Growth Partners
2026 Small Business Awards Presentation
Robert Gray
Closing Remarks
Tracy Myers
SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
ProgramSponsor
PhotoSponsor
CIRCLE
EMCEE BIO
Robert Gray
SVP of Business Services Allegacy Fiancial
Robert Gray is the Sr. Vice President of Business Services at Allegacy Financial. He is responsible for leading and overseeing the commercial banking division across Allegacy’s footprint, as well as developing and implementing strategies to drive growth, profitability, and member satisfaction throughout North Carolina. He oversees all aspects of the company’s commercial portfolio, from sourcing new business opportunities to cultivating market relationships. His strategic leadership is instrumental in expanding Allegacy’s presence and influence, particularly through fostering his long-term relationships with business & industry professionals
Robert is a key contributor at industry events and community engagements, where he shares insights on market trends. Robert’s ability to build and nurture strong networks has made him a respected figure in the business community.
Robert is committed to the professional development of his team, mentoring emerging leaders and driving a culture of excellence within Allegacy.
AWARDS
Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities Awards
Outstanding Employer of the Year
This award recognizes employers who demonstrate outstanding achievements in improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This award is given to employers with an excellent record of hiring and/or facilitating employment for people with disabilities, and continue to make efforts to create a barrier-free environment
Brant Taylor Barrier-Free Success Award
This award recognizes and honors an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to creating a barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities
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AWARDS
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Entrepreneur of the Year recognizes a person, or company, whose entrepreneurial success has created a thriving and sustainable business. This winner continues to contribute in meaningful ways to our local entrepreneurial ecosystem
Ignition Award
This innovative, early-stage business should be on everyone’s “Watch List” as they are already thriving, contributing to our local economy and helping our community soar to greater heights. Companies in this category must have launched in the past three years and have already ignited positive impacts on our community
People’s Choice Award
All nominees for the Small Business Awards are entered into the running for the People’s Choice Award. The vote is determined by our full membership.
Small Business of the Year
The winning company exemplifies both business and civic leadership Community involvement, management practices, and overall financial performance are the primary criteria for this category.
NOMINEES
AKS Gifts and Promotionals
Bears, Balloons & Beyond
Bibey Machine and Fabrication
Cambodian Association of North Carolina
Croom Key Realty
Feel So Good Body Butter
First Stop Medical Solutions
Focus Estate Solutions
Greensboro Commercial Properties
Infrafit
Insulation Commandos of Greensboro
Joyful Pediatrics
K Aaron Consulting & Co
Keaton Consulting Company
Kneaded By Kani
Kristin Kling Financial Advisor
Long Lasting Life LLC
Loom Coffee Co.
Lorac Academy
Merchconnect
Nclusive Scan
Neighborhood Barre Greensboro
Next Chapter Bookstore and Gift Shop
Noah's Arc Welding LLC
Peace of Her by Lou
Pink's Windows Piedmont Triad
Red Boot LLC
Saunders Mowing & Landscaping LLC
StudioRes
The Glow Joint Aesthetics
The Historic Magnolia House
DIRECTORY
Member Directory
We hope you enjoy the 2026 Small Business Awards and have the opportunity to connect with many of the outstanding businesses and organizations that make up the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Each company you meet today represents the innovation, commitment, and community spirit driving Guilford County forward
Want to learn more about the members you connected with, or discover others in our network? Explore our online directory, your trusted resource for finding the businesses shaping our community.
Thank you for supporting our members and championing the success of local businesses!
MEMBER DIRECTORY
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please take photos while you’re here enjoying the 2026 Small Business Awards and don’t forget to share your best shots and group photos with us on social media Tag us at @GSOChamber so we can celebrate with you! Let’s make this event the talk of the town! Follow us at @GSOChamber
STARTUP WEEK
Our 2026 Greensboro Startup Week is already going strong Here is a list of events for the rest of the week, starting right after today’s Small Business Awards.
Tuesday, April 28
2:15 pm Founders Panel
4:15 pm Fundraising Rules for Raising Capital
5:30 pm Networking Happy Hour at Hidden Gate Brewing
Wednesday, April 29
9 am Keynote - Future of Logistics: On the Road Real World Automation
10 am Triad Women in Manufacturing: The Leaders Driving Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Morale & Environment
10 am Build Your First Application with AI: Rapid Prototyping, From Ideas to Reality
11 am Building Resilient Supply Chains: From Materials to Manufacturing to Market
12:15 pm Founding the Future: Young Engineers from TRIAD
1:30 pm Fireside Chat: From Idea to Impact: Innovation and Best Practices in Modern Product Development
2:30 pm Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Startups: Building Scalable Product Development from Day One
3 pm Building the Future Factory: How Greensboro is Combining Technology, Workforce Development, and Continuous Improvement
4 pm Closing the EV Battery Loop: From Repair and Resale to Reuse, Repurposing, and Recycling
5:30 pm VIP Reception
Thursday, April 30
9 am Keynote - JetZero
10 am Keynote - Honda Jet
11 am Frontier Aerospace
5:30 pm Capital Connects
Stay up-to-date on all the sessions, who the speakers are, and where these are happening on our StartUp Week Agenda webpage. Click below.
Startup Week
RISE+CONNECT
As we celebrate Small Businesses today, we want to make sure you know about our Rise + Connect: Small Business series, which brings together business leaders from similar-sized organizations for an exclusive quarterly breakfast.
Our next event is Tuesday, May 19, starting at 8:30 am at Colorworks 2 at Revolution Mill, 1000 Revolution Mill Dr
For this event, Shawn Straub of Alt + HR will join us to talk through the ever-changing employment law landscape It is more important than ever to have a well-crafted handbook that supports compliance with employment laws and mitigates your company’s risk. Every business, regardless of size, should have a legally compliant handbook to establish clear expectations, ensure consistent communication of policies, and protect against legal risks. This document will serve as a centralized guide for employees, outlining company culture, rules, and procedures, which will help improve productivity and reduce misunderstandings.
By the way, Shawn Straub was our 2025 Small Business Community Contributor Award Winner!
Mark your calendar for the whole series, we would love for you to join us again in September and December.
