Tampa Bay Chamber Announces 2026 Small Business of the Year Award Winners

November 6, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brandy Gottlieb

Senior Director of Marketing and Communications

Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce

tampabaychamber.com

TAMPA, Fla. (Nov.6, 2026) – The Tampa Bay Chamber announced this year’s Small Business of the Year Award winners on Nov. 5 during the 46th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards.

The event, presented by TD Bank, drew more than 400 guests, is a long-standing tradition that celebrates small businesses in the Tampa Bay area.

Congratulations to this year’s award winners, which include the following:
   

Congratulations to Roy Sweatman, president, Southern Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. Sweatman was named this year’s Outstanding Leader.

Denise Reddick is president and CEO of Brisk Coffee Roasters. She said, "Myself and everyone at Brisk Coffee Roasters are very proud and grateful for the recognition. As a second generation Tampanian, it makes me especially proud to represent our community and to be a part of the greatest city in the world, Tampa Bay."

“Every year, the Small Business of the Year Awards recognizes the remarkable dedication of the more than 350 businesses nominated and the volunteers who make the program possible. The passion, determination, and heart of the entrepreneurs and leaders who go through this process are what make Tampa Bay’s business community so strong,” said Lindsay August of TD Bank, chair of the 2026 Small Business of the Year Awards. “Over nine months, our finalists completed an extensive four-stage journey and were carefully evaluated on everything from business goals and operational management to innovation, leadership, and community contributions. This year’s finalists set a high bar. Thank you to every business that shared its story with us, and to the incredible group of people behind this process.”

“Small businesses are the heart of Tampa Bay’s economy,” said Bob Rohrlack, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber. “For 46 years, our Small Business of the Year Awards have recognized the entrepreneurs and leaders whose vision and resilience keep our region growing. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s awardees, who show every day what makes Tampa Bay an exceptional place to live, work and thrive.”

 

To learn more about The Tampa Bay Chamber’s small business initiatives, visit tampabaychamber.com/pages/small-business/

The Tampa Bay Chamber has been serving the region since 1885. A not-for-profit membership organization, it currently serves approximately 1,400 member companies of all sizes and industries. Among the top 2% of chambers in the nation with a five-star rating by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa Bay Chamber is recognized by business, government, education and community leaders as the leading advocate for the business community in the Tampa Bay area.

For more information on the Tampa Bay Chamber visit www.TampaBayChamber.com

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