Forward Janesville Events

2025 Awards Luncheon

Holiday Inn - Janesville Conference Center 3100 Wellington Place Janesville, WI 53546

4/9/25
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars for this uplifting and inspiring luncheon that sells out every year!
This event is an opportunity to recognize and honor the businesses, organizations, and individual members that have made a positive impact in our community over the past year. Register to reserve your table or seat today!

$80 per individual (member pricing)
$800 per corporate table of 10

We look forward to recognizing award winners in the following categories:

Emerging Leader: Awarded to a young professional who has excelled in their profession, demonstrated professional competency and integrity, and exhibits the attributes and ability to become a future leader.
Community Improvement: Awarded to a business or individual who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to the growth and well-being of the community.
Educator of the Year: Awarded to an individual or group who has actively encouraged partnerships between the business and education communities.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Awarded to an individual who has exemplified leadership and the entrepreneurial spirit in making their ideas, and ultimately their business, successful. The nominee must be the owner/operator of a business enterprise with less than 50 employees.
Business of the Year (50 or fewer employees): Awarded to a business that recognizes that business success and community involvement go hand in hand. The award recognizes the exemplary customer service, product knowledge, community support, and professionalism that make their business a success and a great asset to the community.
Business of the Year (50+ employees): Awarded to a business that recognizes that business success and community involvement are two vital components of a business strategy. The award recognizes the exemplary customer service, product knowledge, community support, and professionalism that make their business a success and an asset to the community.
Diversity: Awarded to a business or individual that has shown exemplary contributions in implementing policies, procedures, and/or programs that enhance diversity in the Janesville community.
Ambassador Award: Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary representation of the business community. This individual has been a positive public relations liaison for FJI at ribbon cuttings, special events, and networking sessions. They have also been involved in extra committee work and projects.
Advocacy Award: Awarded to an individual who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the business community to advocate for and/or voice its needs throughout the community & at all levels of government.
Lifetime Achievement: Honors an individual who has made a measurable difference in our community. Janesville is a better place because the honoree of the Lifetime Achievement Award has been active and engaged in initiatives that embrace the idea of community commitment.

A photo of the stage and speakers at the 2024 Forward Janesville Annual Dinner.

From our signature events held every year to our monthly Business After Five networking events, at Forward Janesville we pride ourselves on providing meaningful opportunities for our member businesses.

Make new connections, business partners, collaborators, and potential clients that, like you, are working to grow your business. Showcase your business – whether through sponsorship, attendance or participation – to a wide community. Take advantage of business resources and presenters that can help you navigate potential pitfalls. And more!

We hope you’ll join us at our next event and throughout the year!

SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENTS

Annual Dinner

Join more than 600 of your fellow business leaders and community champions for the premier business event of the year, featuring networking, dinner and a prominent speaker.

Awards Luncheon

Each spring, we recognize and honor businesses, organizations and individuals that have made a positive impact on our community.

Rock Regional Business Expo

A business favorite from the early 2000s, our business expo returned in 2024 and features more than 70 local businesses showcasing themselves to hundreds of attendees from Rock County and beyond.

Golf Outing

Spend a day with us on the links networking with local businesses, entertaining clients and winning prizes from our members – oh, and playing a little golf, too.

REGULARLY-SCHEDULED EVENTS

Business After Five

Typically the second Thursday of each month, it’s not surprising to see more than 200 attendees at our monthly networking BA5 events. How many of them you meet and create lasting business relationships with is up to you!

BreakFAST With BMO

Held six times each year, our BreakFAST With BMO events offer presentations on critical topics that affect business and our local community. They are typically held from 7:30-9 a.m. and feature designated time for morning networking before the featured presentation. Recent topics have included cybersecurity, economic outlook, workforce development, aligning your business’ financial goals with your personal financial goals, and more!