The Chamber's highest honors recognize the expansive and lasting impacts of business leaders on Lakeland's vibrant quality of life. Three annual awards are presented at each Annual Meeting.

George Jenkins Award

The highest honor presented by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is the George Jenkins Award. Named for Publix Super Markets founder George Jenkins, the award honors his leadership, stewardship, philanthropy, voluntarism, and commitment to the Lakeland community. The award has been presented at the Chamber’s annual meeting each year since 1981.

Purpose:
The purpose of this prestigious award is to recognize someone still living who has provided outstanding leadership and long-standing service to the Chamber and community.

1981 – Jimmie Sikes (deceased)
1982 – Jere Annis (deceased)
1983 – Dr. Charles Thrift (deceased)
1984 – E. Snow Martin, Sr. (deceased)
1985 – James J. Musso, Sr. (deceased)
1986 – Lanier Upshaw (deceased)
1987 – Thomas Bryant (deceased)
1988 – E.E. Kelley (deceased)
1989 – Dudley Towne (deceased)
1990 – P. Scott Linder (deceased)
1991 – D. Burke Kibler, III (deceased)
1992 – Duane McConnell (deceased)
1993 – George Trask (deceased)
1994 – Joe P. Ruthven (deceased)
1995 – William H. Loftin (deceased)
1996 – Herb Todd (deceased)
1997 – Thomas W. Moore, Jr. (deceased)
1998 – Charles W. Bovay (deceased)
1999 – Hunt Berryman
​2000 – Phill Dunne
2001 – Barney Barnett
2002 – Bob Becker (deceased)
2003 – George Harris, Jr. (deceased)
2004 – Marty Higgenbotham
2005 – Gene Engle
2006 – Ralph Weeks (deceased)
2007 – Sarah McKay
2008 – Ralph Allen
2009 – John Fitzwater

2010 – Ralph L. “Buddy” Fletcher (deceased)
2011 – Carol Jenkins Barnett (deceased)
2012 – Jack Stephens
2013 – Art Rowbotham
2014 – Ford Heacock, III
2015 – Peter J. Munson
2016 – Ron Clark
2017 – J. Larry Durrence (deceased)
2018 – Alice Hunt
2019 – Gow Fields
2020 – Paul Noris
2021 – Richard F. Mason
2022 – Joe L. Ruthven
2023 – Jean & David Bunch
2024 – Robert Puterbaugh
2025 - Janice Tedder Jones

Kathleen Munson Quality of Life Champion Award

Kathleen Munson provided professional leadership to the Chamber for more than 27 years and made championing Lakeland’s quality of life a priority for the business community. Munson began her Chamber career in 1987 as the Director of the Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau following her work to coordinate and broadcast the Miss USA Pageant from Lakeland in 1984 and 1985. Five years later, she was named President and led the Chamber to win Florida Chamber of the Year in 2006.
 
The Kathleen Munson Quality of Life Champion Award honors those businesses that are dedicated to making Lakeland a great place to live, work and play.

​2023 - Allen & Company of Florida
2024 - Publix Super Markets, Inc.
2025 - The Ruthvens

P. Scott Linder Small Business of the Year

The Small Business of the Year Award is a prestigious award given to a member business in recognition of their accomplishments and entrepreneurial spirit. In 1990, the Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to rename this annual award in honor of the late Scott Linder, who demonstrated, throughout his life, a dedication to and belief in small business.

The Small Business of the Year honoree is selected from the 12 Small Business of the Month recipients of the prior year.

1986 - Fletcher Printing Co.
1987 - Florida Sheet Metal, Inc.
1988 - Hauger-Bunch, Inc., Realtors
1989 - Dixie Signs, Inc.
1990 - Ad Pro, Inc.
1991 - Higgenbotham Auctioneers International, Ltd., Inc.
1992 - Allen & Company of Florida, Inc.
1993 - Polk Pump & Irrigation Co., Inc.
1994 - Oxford Lumber Company
1995 - Southside Cleaners
1996 - O’Quin Personnel
1997 - Crispers Restaurant
1998 - Curry & Company Plumbing, Inc.
1999 - Lakeland Picture Framing, Inc.
2000 - Zimmerman Associates, LLC
2001 - Green Construction Services, Inc.
2002 - Jim Williams Fence Company
2003 - Office Furniture Depot, Inc.
​2004 - Laundry Lady Coin Laundry

2005 - Straughn Trout Architects, LLC
2006 - Sleep Center
2007 - Crown Printing
2008 - Folsom Construction Management, LLC
2009 - Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation
2010 - Troiano & Roberts, P.A.
2011 - John Locke Painting, Inc.
2012 - Scott Orthodontics Associates
2013 - Cipher Integrations, Inc.
2014 - The Lighting Hut, Inc.
2015 - Hulbert Homes, Inc.
2016 - WebPro Realty, LLC
2017 - Tinsley Creative
2018 - All American Fire Safety, Inc.
2019 - My Pet’s Animal Hospital
2020 - Express Employment Professionals
2021 - Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub
2022 - Mail Processing Associates, Inc.
2023 - Stinson's Home Design Center
​2024 - Lugo's Craft Distillery