2026 UofL Family Business Awards & Summit "Rooted In Excellence: The Legacy Continues"
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (11:30 AM - 4:30 PM) (EDT)
Description
Register today for this year's UofL Family Business Center Summit & Awards, an inspiring and celebratory afternoon dedicated to the strength, impact, and future of family business!
Bringing together two signature experiences, this annual event combines an engaging leadership summit with a meaningful awards celebration. Designed for family business owners, leaders, and next-generation innovators, the program offers valuable insights, authentic conversations, and opportunities to connect with peers who share the unique journey of family enterprise.
The afternoon begins with networking and lunch, followed by thought-provoking discussions and concludes with a celebratory awards presentation recognizing excellence across our region's family business community.
Family Business Summit
Sponsored by Axiom Financial Strategies Group
This year's Summit explores what it means to lead with purpose while navigating growth, change, and generational transition.
Summit Keynote: Honoring Legacy and Embracing Change
Matthew Nix, fifth-generation leader of a 124-year-old family business, will share lessons learned from growing up in the shop, leading through transformation, and building for the future. In this keynote, "Honoring Legacy and Embracing Change," Matthew reflects on the values passed down through generations, the challenges of scaling a family business, and the responsibility of stewardship in modern leadership. He will discuss how Nix Companies evolved from a small family operation into a regional organization through intentional culture, innovation, and strategic growth, including its recent partnership with Huncilman Sheet Metal, also a fifth-generation family business. Through personal stories and practical insights, Matthew will challenge the next generation of leaders to preserve what matters most while embracing the change required to build the next 100 years.
Summit Panel Discussion
Following the keynote, Matthew Nix will be joined by Parker Huncilman, fifth-generation leader and Managing Partner of Huncilman Sheet Metal Fabrication, for a conversation facilitated by Vaughan Scott.
Together, they will share real-world insights on:
- Building partnerships between legacy organizations
- Leading through transition, acquisition, and growth
- Preserving identity and values while scaling operations
- Strengthening culture and alignment across teams and generations
Family Business Awards
Presented by Commonwealth Credit Union
The event culminates in the Family Business Awards, a celebration of outstanding organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, continuity, innovation, and community impact. These awards honor the businesses that are not only sustaining success across generations but also strengthening the communities they serve.
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
- Generations of Excellence
- Emerging Family Business Innovator
- Legacy Builder
- Round Table Luminary
- Commonwealth Credit Union Excellence in Community Impact
- Family Business Community Catalyst
- Family Business Legacy
Join us as we honor the past, engage in the present, and celebrate the future - rooted in excellence and built to last.
- Early-Bird Member Ticket= $65
- This ticket grants admission for one individual member to the Summit and Awards. This rate reflects a discounted price for early registration completed by July 24th. Each ticket includes access to event programming, lunch during the event, and a complimentary copy of "Forging Ahead: How Five Generations of Small-Town Values Collided with Big Ambitions to Spark One of America's Fastest-Growing Companies"
- Early Bird Potential Member Ticket= $85
- This ticket grants admission for one individual member to the Summit and Awards. This rate reflects a discounted price for early registration completed by July 24th. Each ticket includes access to event programming, lunch during the event, and a complimentary copy of "Forging Ahead: How Five Generations of Small-Town Values Collided with Big Ambitions to Spark One of America's Fastest-Growing Companies"
- Early Bird Member Table= $455
- This table ticket grants admission for eight (8) individuals to the Summit and Awards. This rate reflects a discounted price for early registration completed by July 24th. The table package includes access to event programming for all attendees, lunch during the event for each guest, and a complimentary copy of "Forging Ahead: How Five Generations of Small-Town Values Collided with Big Ambitions to Spark One of America's Fastest-Growing Companies"
- Early Bird Potential Member Table= $565
- This table ticket grants admission for eight (8) individuals to the Summit and Awards. This rate reflects a discounted price for early registration completed by July 24th. The table package includes access to event programming for all attendees, lunch during the event for each guest, and a complimentary copy of "Forging Ahead: How Five Generations of Small-Town Values Collided with Big Ambitions to Spark One of America's Fastest-Growing Companies"
Early Bird Ticket Prices end by July 24th! Get your tickets before then to save!
Standard Tickets include event programming for each attendee, lunch during the event, as well as a complimentary copy of "Forging Ahead: How Five generations of Small-Town Values Collided with Big Ambitions to Spark One of America's Fastest-Growing Companies". Please note complimentary copies of the book are available while supplies last, registrations after August 10th are not guaranteed a copy.
Standard Ticket Prices:
- Member Ticket= $80
- Potential Member Ticket= $110
- Member Table= $560
- Potential Member Table= $665
August 25th, 2026
11:30am - 4:30pm
Event Agenda:
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Registration
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM: Welcome Remarks
1:00 PM - 1:40 PM: Keynote Speaker: Matthew Nix
1:40PM - 1:50 PM: Break
1:50 PM - 2:30 PM: Panel Discussion featuring Matthew Nix & Parker Huncilman, facilitated by Vaughan Scott
2:30 PM - 2:40 PM Break
2:40 PM - 2:50 PM Commonwealth Credit Union & Family Business Center Remarks
2:50 PM - 3:30 PM Presentation of Awards
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Networking & Open Bar