Nominations will be accepted from January 1 through April 17, 2013 for the 24th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year awards. The awards will be presented November 7, 2013 at a banquet on the Baylor campus in Waco. The Institute for Family Business at Baylor University hosts this annual awards ceremony to recognize and honor outstanding family firms from across the state.

Winners are chosen in three general categories - large (more than 151 employees), medium (51-150 employees) and small (50 or fewer employees). Outstanding firms are also honored in the special categories of Family Values Award, Community Commitment Award, Fastest-Growing Family Business Award, Well-Managed Family Business Award, Founders Award and Heritage Award.

To be nominated, a firm must be headquartered in Texas and have one or more of the following characteristics:

1. has been owned and operated by different generations of a family
2. the potential exists for ownership to be passed on to a younger generation
3. more than one member of a family has active employment in an organization owned by a family
4. a family holding company which is presently operating a business

Outstanding family firms show concern for their family and its role in the business and community, demonstrate contributions to their industry and their community and are role models for the family in business.

Click on the ONLINE NOMINATION FORM link January 1 - April 17, 2013 to make your nomination for the 2013 Texas Family Business of the Year Awards. Self-nomination is encouraged.

The Judges of the 24th Annual Texas Family Business of the Year awards are affiliated with the Institute through its Forum series. Each has expertise in the field of family business, either heading successful companies, family business consulting or teaching family business. They have graciously agreed to read and research applications sent to the Institute for Family Business.

The entries are judged on the following criteria: Family Involvement, Community and Industry Involvement and Business Success and Succession. The information our judges must determine is:

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Is this family involved in the family business in a positive manner? Is it evident the family makes an important contribution to this firm? Is the family concerned for the community? Does the family understand its role in the business? Has the family planned for its future involvement in the business?

COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Does this business make a significant, positive contribution to the community? Is this business making a significant, positive contribution to its industry? Is this business concerned for its employees? Is this business a positive impact on society? Is this business contributing to the general economic well-being of its community?

BUSINESS AND SUCCESSION
Is this a successful business? Will this business probably survive succession? Does this business evidence strategic planning? Is this business innovative? Does this business practice sound management?

There are also six special awards, in which size is not a determining factor:

FAMILY VALUES AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that has shown the greatest commitment to family values by nurturing healthy relationships and stability over successive generations.

WELL-MANAGED FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business, which demonstrates management techniques resulting in efficiency and effectiveness in operations and contributing to the quality of the work environment.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that demonstrates a commitment to improving their community and to the overall well-being of their community.

FASTEST-GROWING FAMILY BUSINESS AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that demonstrates rapid growth over a short-period of time and has implemented innovative business techniques in achieving this growth.

FOUNDERS AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that has grown and adapted to present and future markets while maintaining the identity and original concept of the founder.

HERITAGE AWARD
This award is given to the SUCCESSFUL family business that has overcome statistical odds to achieve the rare status of maintaining continuous existence through at least three generations of family ownership.

Complete your online nomination January 1 - April 17, 2013 for the 2013 Texas Family Business of the Year awards.