FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- The Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office have announced 21 finalists for the 2026 Industry Appreciation Awards.

The Industry Appreciation Awards celebrate Lee County businesses that drive the local economy, employ our workforce and shape their industries. Winners will be celebrated at an Oct. 23 awards luncheon at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. The event will also celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the Horizon Council. Registration for the event is now open.

The Industry Appreciation Awards will honor one winner in each of this year's seven categories. Finalists include:

• Lee Trailblazer Award: Bob Dean Supply, Inc., Moran Kennedy, NORTHSTAR Technologies Group
• Start Up of the Year: Southwest Florida Proton, Sugarshack Downtown, UBYou
• Tech Catalyst Award: ADDMAN Group, Eightpoint, Optivate Health
• Small Manufacturer of the Year: Botanical Brewing Company, NORTHSTAR Technologies Group, Wicked Dolphin Distillery
• Large Manufacturer of the Year: California Closets of Southwest Florida, PRAVADA Private Label, VGM Holdings
• Small Business of the Year: Aviation Precision Technology, COLDEST, Sun Harvest Citrus
• Large Business of the Year: ADG Architecture, South Seas, Wright Construction Group

"Lee County is home to an outstanding group of businesses that are making a significant impact across a wide range of industries," said Horizon Council Chair Ben Spence, who is chief operating officer of Lee Health and will become its president and CEO this fall. "Each finalist has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, growth and excellence, and the contributions they are making to our community make them incredibly deserving of this recognition."

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The Oct. 23 event will be held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St. in Fort Myers. The event starts with networking opportunities at 10 a.m. with a luncheon and awards ceremony to follow at 11 a.m. Event tickets for the 2026 Industry Appreciation Awards are $100 each and available online at IndustryAppreciationAwards.com (https://www.industryappreciationawards.com/). Tables of 10 are also available.