2026 Business
Excellence Awards
EVENT DATE RESCHEDULED TO DECEMBER 10, 2026!
TIME: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Culinary Institute of America: Marriott Pavilion
Join us in celebrating Dutchess County's business community!
BUY TICKETS NOW! SPONSORSHIP & AD OPPORTUNITIES
Honoring Our Region's Top Businesses
For over 25 years, the Business Excellence Awards celebration has attracted hundreds of prominent business leaders to recognize the people and companies that demonstrate unique vision, innovation and achievement in support of our region’s economy. Each year, our award winners prove the impact our business community has on making Dutchess County a great place to live, work, and visit. Winners have demonstrated commitment to the advancement of the business community and impact the lives of our citizens by creating jobs and increasing the tax base.
Congratulations to the 2026 Honorees!
The Art Effect | Cafe Spice LLC | Daubman Corporate Interiors | Scenic Hudson | Tiny Greens Farm LLC
2026 Nonprofit of the Year
The Art Effect
The Art Effect is a nonprofit organization working to empower young people to develop their creative voice, shape their futures, and bring about positive social change. With a diverse slate of programming for students, the organization also engages the wider Hudson Valley community and is expecting to see more than 10,000 visitors this year at exhibitions, films, public art projects, and community events. In 2025, The Art Effect raised nearly $2 million to support its mission, with over 5,000 youth engaging in 120 programs and events.
2026 Tastemaker of the Year
Cafe Spice LLC
Café Spice is a Beacon-based food manufacturing company that has grown from a family-owned business into a nationally recognized leader in chef-crafted prepared meals inspired by global flavors. Founded with the vision of making authentic, high-quality international cuisine more accessible, the company has built a reputation for culinary innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to quality. Today, Café Spice serves retailers, foodservice operators, and consumers across the U.S., bringing bold, globally inspired meals from its headquarters in the Hudson Valley to kitchens nationwide.
2026 Small Business of the Year
Daubman Corporate Interiors
Daubman Corporate Interiors is a fourth-generation, family-owned business with deep roots in Dutchess County and a legacy that spans over six decades. Founded in 1962 in the basement of the Daubman family home, the company has evolved from an office machine repair shop into a trusted independent contract furniture dealership serving clients across the Hudson Valley region. Located in Poughkeepsie, Daubman Corporate Interiors provides tailored commercial interior solutions grounded in strong values and a client-first philosophy.
2026 Large Business of the Year
Scenic Hudson
The Hudson Valley is known for its stunning views and pristine natural landscape, which would not be possible without Dutchess County nonprofit Scenic Hudson. Established in 1963 by a small group of residents to stop a project that would have destroyed Storm King Mountain, Scenic Hudson launched the modern grassroots environmental movement. For over six decades, its legacy has grown and its mission has expanded to include widespread environmental protection and preservation.
2026 Agribusiness of the Year
Tiny Greens Farm LLC
Tiny Greens Farm is an innovative agriculture small business specializing in premium microgreens grown year-round and distributed to restaurants, schools, grocery stores, and food service distributors across the Hudson Valley. Its mission is to expand access to fresh, locally grown food, strengthen regional food systems, and demonstrate that small-scale agriculture can be both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
Thank you to our 2026 Business Excellence Awards Sponsors!
Corporate Sponsor
Visionary Sponsor
Advocate Sponsor
Design Sponsor
Questions about the Business Excellence Awards?
For additional questions regarding nominations or sponsorship, you may contact Amanda Gomes, Marketing and Development Manager at amanda@thinkdutchess.com