what’ s working
Washington’ s Boldest and Brightest Get the Spotlight
AWB celebrated standout employers and innovators at its annual Evening of Excellence gala.
Edie Jeffers
Recipients of the 2025 Washington Excellence Awards and Manufacturing Excellence Awards received honors at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle in November.
At A Glance
AWB presents the Washington Excellence Awards and Manufacturing Excellence
Awards each year to the state’ s outstanding employers.
The awards honor businesses that demonstrate excellence and contribute to the economic and social fabric of our region.
This year, 553 nominations were received for the 11 awards— more than triple the number of nominations received the year before.
AWB is now accepting nominations for the 2026 awards at www. awb. org / awards.
There is no cost to enter.
In a year that demanded agility and grit, Washington companies stepped up with bold solutions – from building thriving workplaces and mentoring the future workforce to fostering a culture of adaption.
On Nov. 20, AWB honored 11 top employers at the Evening of Excellence gala. Presented by Banner Bank, the event returned to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle for the third year.
“ We see Washington as a global leader,” said AWB President Kris Johnson, who emceed the event.“ Innovation drives us, a world-class workforce fuels us, and our quality of place roots us. Each member, nominee, and winner strengthens that leadership.”
Awards included eight Washington Excellence Awards and three Manufacturing Excellence Awards. A panel of non-AWB judges selected the finalists and winners from more than 550 nominations— more than triple last year’ s 160 nominations.
AWB also presented the Legacy of Leadership Award to Mike Schwenk, who served two terms as AWB board chair and led the AWB Institute for many years.
28 association of washington business