The Better Business Bureau – Greater Iowa, serving the Quad Cities, announced it will recognize three organizations for their commitment to ethical business practices at the BBB 2026 Quad Cities Torch Awards for Ethics.
Earning this year’s Quad Cities Torch Awards are:
- Circa 21 Playhouse, Rock Island.
- SERVPRO, Clinton, Iowa (also serving Sterling, Illinois).
- Twin Bridge Roofing and Construction, Milan.
The BBB also will present a special Honorary Award to a longtime BBB member, Critchett Music Company, to recognize decades of trust and commitment to an ethical business.
The QC awards ceremony will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 11, at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel, Rock Island. Tickets are $30 each of $240 for a table of eight. The public is invited to attend.
Torch Awards honor businesses that exemplify integrity, accountability, and trust in the marketplace, a BBB news release said. Award recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges who review detailed written applications and supporting materials focused on ethical leadership, organizational culture, customer relationships, and community engagement.
In their applications, this year’s honorees shared compelling examples of how ethical values are embedded in their daily operations, according to the BBB. Submissions highlighted a commitment to doing what is right for customers and employees, maintaining transparent and honest communication, and contributing positively to the communities they serve.
For the winners, the Torch Award represents both recognition and responsibility as well as affirms their dedication to ethical business practices.
Critchett Music honor
In addition to the Torch Awards, Critchett Music Company will be presented an Honorary Award in recognition of its 77-year tenure as a BBB Accredited Business (it first joined in 1949). Also known as Critchett’s Lowrey Organ Centers, this milestone reflects a longstanding commitment to integrity, customer service, and ethical business practices spanning multiple generations by the Iowa-born company, the BBB release said.
Critchett’s Lowrey Organ Centers operate multiple store locations including Davenport, Des Moines and Omaha, Nebraska. Lowrey Legacy World Headquarters are based in Bettendorf.
“These businesses truly stand out for their commitment to ethics in both words and actions,” said Linda Nelson, BBB market leader in the Quad Cities. “From our Torch Award recipients to Critchett Music Company’s extraordinary 77 years of BBB membership, each honoree demonstrates that trust, integrity, and ethical leadership are the foundation of lasting success. We are proud to recognize their contributions to our marketplace and community.”
The Quad Cities Torch Awards for Ethics celebrate businesses that consistently go above and beyond to build trust with their customers, employees, and communities while strengthening confidence in the local marketplace.
The bureau also will present two $2,400 local scholarships for high school students at the award ceremony. In fact, the event also serves as a fundraiser for the following year’s scholarships.
This year’s competition drew a record number of applications.
To apply, students were required to express an ethical situation they found themselves in and describe how they handled it with integrity.
If you go
For more information about the Torch Awards for Ethics or to attend the June 11 ceremony, visit here. Tickets are $33.85.
Headquartered in Des Moines, BBB serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region has satellite offices in Bettendorf and Cedar Rapids.
Since 1940, BBB has helped advance trust in the marketplace by supporting consumers and businesses across Iowa and parts of western Illinois. The nonprofit also provides reliable business profiles, dispute resolution services, and community education to promote ethical business practices.
