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2026 Family Business Awards & Summit: Rooted in Excellence, The Legacy Continues
August 25, 2026 11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
(EDT)
Description
Register today for this year's Family Business Center Summit & Awards, an inspiring and celebratory afternoon dedicated to the strength, impact, and future of family business.
Bringing together two signature experiences, this annual event combines an engaging leadership summit with a meaningful awards celebration. Designed for family business owners, leaders, and next-generation innovators, the program offers valuable insights, authentic conversations, and opportunities to connect with peers who share the unique journey of family enterprise.
The afternoon begins with networking and lunch, followed by thought-provoking discussions and concludes with a celebratory awards presentation recognizing excellence across our region's family business community.
Family Business Summit
Sponsored by Axiom Financial Strategies Group
This year's Summit explores what it means to lead with purpose while navigating growth, change, and generational transition.
Summit Keynote: Honoring Legacy and Embracing Change
Matthew Nix, fifth-generation leader of a 124-year-old family business, will share lessons learned from growing up in the shop, leading through transformation, and building for the future. In this keynote, "Honoring Legacy and Embracing Change," Matthew reflects on the values passed down through generations, the challenges of scaling a family business, and the responsibility of stewardship in modern leadership. He will discuss how Nix Companies evolved from a small family operation into a regional organization through intentional culture, innovation, and strategic growth, including its recent partnership with Huncilman Sheet Metal, also a fifth-generation family business. Through personal stories and practical insights, Matthew will challenge the next generation of leaders to preserve what matters most while embracing the change required to build the next 100 years.
Summit Panel Discussion
Following the keynote, Matthew Nix will be joined by Parker Huncilman, fifth-generation leader and Managing Partner of Huncilman Sheet Metal Fabrication, for a conversation facilitated by Vaughan Scott.
Together, they will share real-world insights on:
- Building partnerships between legacy organizations
- Leading through transition, acquisition, and growth
- Preserving identity and values while scaling operations
- Strengthening culture and alignment across teams and generation
Family Business Awards
Presented by Commonwealth Credit Union
The event culminates in the Family Business Awards, a celebration of outstanding organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, continuity, innovation, and community impact. These awards honor the businesses that are not only sustaining success across generations but also strengthening the communities they serve.
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Generations of Excellence
Emerging Family Business Innovator
Legacy Builder
Round Table Luminary
Commonwealth Credit Union Excellence in Community Impact
Family Business Community Catalyst
Family Business Legacy
Join us as we honor the past, engage in the present, and celebrate the future - rooted in excellence and built to last.
Event Agenda:
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Registration
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: Welcome Remarks
1:00 PM - 1:40 PM: Keynote Speaker: Matthew Nix
1:40PM - 1:50 PM: Break
1:50 PM - 2:30 PM: Panel Discussion featuring Matthew Nix & Parker Huncilman, facilitated by Vaughan Scott
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM Break
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM Commonwealth Credit Union & Family Business Center Remarks
