Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Opens Nominations for 2026 Awards

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) has officially opened nominations for the 2026 Business Excellence Awards, inviting businesses within the region to showcase their achievements. Nominations will be accepted until March 9, 2026, and the awards aim to highlight companies that have demonstrated significant growth and contribution to the community.

Presented in partnership with KPMG LLP, the Business Excellence Awards will separate nominees into two categories based on annual revenue. Category 1 is designated for businesses with annual revenues of $1 million or more in each of the past three fiscal years, while Category 2 includes businesses with revenues of at least $250,000 during the same timeframe. This structure allows for a more tailored recognition of companies based on their scale and impact.

To qualify for nomination, companies must meet several criteria. They should be for-profit entities, either publicly or privately held, and based in Berks County. Alternatively, they must demonstrate that at least 50% of their revenue is generated from the county. Notably, the awards have expanded since last year to include companies headquartered outside Berks County, reflecting a broader recognition of regional business success.

Eligible companies must also be members of the GRCA and provide supporting documentation for their revenue figures with their nomination form. While a tax return is not required, businesses can submit an internal financial statement or an auditor-verified letter to confirm their revenues.

Nominees will be evaluated based on their revenue growth, considering both dollar and percentage increases, as specified in the guidelines. Businesses interested in applying can do so through the GRCA’s website at greaterreading.org/annualbusinessawards. Once nominations are completed, they must be submitted to KPMG via email or fax, ensuring that all financial data remains confidential.

Winners of this year’s awards will be celebrated during a video montage tribute at GRCA’s annual dinner, scheduled for May 13, 2026. The top three businesses in each category will receive special recognition at the event. Details about the dinner, including information about the keynote speaker and ticket sales, will be available on the GRCA website as the date approaches.

Last year, the awards featured 50 companies in Category 1 and 10 in Category 2. American Crane & Equipment Corp. was recognized as the leading company in the first category, showing significant growth from being unranked in 2023 to claiming the ninth position in 2024. Similarly, FXV Digital Design earned the top spot in Category 2 after not being ranked in previous years.

As the deadline for nominations approaches, the GRCA encourages eligible businesses to participate and share their success stories, contributing to the continued economic vitality of the Greater Reading region.