QCBJ accepting nominations for Fastest Growing Companies

QCBJ

The Quad Cities Regional Business Journal is seeking companies that have seen stellar growth over the past three years to vie for the QCBJ’s 2024 Fastest Growing Companies awards. 

This recognition event identifies and honors the region’s most dynamic companies whose explosive growth is making significant contributions to the local economy. 

John Lohman, CEO and president of the QCBJ’s parent company Corridor Media Group, described the annual awards as “a localized version of Inc. Magazine’s 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America.”

First launched in 2022 by the QCBJ, the contest has recognized dozens of companies experiencing a growth mode despite some trying economic times. Our past winners, both Davenport companies, were Revive at The Group Med Spa in 2022 and Centennial Tax & Accounting in 2023. 

“Celebrating entrepreneurship and the success of private enterprise is the foundation of this event,” Mr. Lohman said. He will announce the No. 1 Fastest Growing Company at an awards event on Thursday, Oct. 10.  

Nominees will be ranked according to revenue growth over a three-year period with both dollar and percentage increases being taken into account. 

The QCBJ partners with Iowa-based Honkamp PC, a CPA and business advisory group with offices including Davenport, to confidentially accept applications. Honkamp will determine all the nominees’ percentage growth from 2021-2023 to determine the 2024 winner.

No actual revenue amounts or financial information will be published in the QCBJ, and all financial data will be kept confidential. 

Who’s eligible?

To be eligible for the Fastest Growing Companies, nominees must be headquartered in the QCBJ’s news coverage area of Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties in Illinois and Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties in Iowa. 

Companies also must have at least $350,000 in revenues in each of the fiscal years ending in 2021, 2022 and 2023. They must show revenue growth in 2023 as compared to 2021. Only for-profit companies are eligible. 

To be considered, area companies must submit a completed nomination form and a compiled, reviewed or audited financial statement or tax return (first four pages of income tax returns). No general ledger information is needed and all financial information will be kept confidential. There is no cost to apply.

Last year’s winner Centennial Tax took the No. 1 Fastest Growing title with an impressive 481% growth from 2020 to 2022. In all, 22 area businesses were recognized as the region’s Fastest Growing Companies at a QCBJ awards event last fall.   

Banquet set for Oct. 10

The 2024 top winner and other eligible nominees will be honored at that awards banquet on Oct. 10 at Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport. The event will include a reception for all Fastest Growing honorees, dinner and the awards presentation. During the program, videos featuring the top winners will be presented. Guests also will hear from the CEO of the No. 1 Fastest Growing Company. 

The platinum sponsor is TBK Bank. Honkamp is the gold sponsor. For information about additional sponsorships, contact Lauren Grask at (319) 665-6397 or [email protected]

To nominate your company for the Fastest Growing, visit here to print out a nomination form. Completed nominations should be mailed to Honkamp, P.C., 908 W. 35th St., Davenport, IA 52806. The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 9. 

Learn more about the program and the event here. For event information, contact Lucas Hayes at (319) 665-6397 or [email protected], or Emily Bettridge at  (319) 665-6397 or [email protected]

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