Business Hall of Fame
Purpose
The Salina Business Hall of Fame program is designed to honor prominent business leaders, both past and present, who have made extraordinary contributions to Salina, earned the respect of the local community and called attention to the Free Enterprise System and to its value to our country and citizens in shaping our local way of life. Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame have demonstrated the following characteristics: business excellence, courageous thinking, vision, innovation, and inspirational leadership. They have worked to lead the Salina community to a stronger, higher level.
Nomination Process
A volunteer task force will select inductees using the selection criteria as a guide. The general public and Chamber of Commerce members will have the opportunity to nominate potential inductees. The selection task force will consist of individuals who have themselves excelled and could be selected as inductees. Selection criteria and nomination forms are available.
Laureate Selection Criteria
To be considered as a Hall of Fame Laureate, an individual’s record of business achievement must demonstrate excellence in the following general categories: business excellence; entrepreneurial spirit; courageous thinking and action; inspiring leadership; community impact; positive role model; enduring accomplishments; and local influence. Hall of Fame Laureates are individuals whose work has moved the Salina community in a better, stronger direction. Both posthumous and living leaders are eligible.
Inductees will be honored in the following categories:
The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will forward names received as nominees to the selection task force. The selection task force will determine the laureates.
Tribute Luncheon
Laureates will be inducted at a luncheon in the fall. Chamber members and the general public will be invited to attend.
Physical Hall of Fame
A portrait of each laureate will be displayed in the Business Hall of Fame, located at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 W. Ash.
Inspiration
By honoring these esteemed leaders, it is hoped to encourage and inspire young people to make a career in business and contribute to their communities as those persons inducted into the Hall of Fame have done.
Laureate Selection Criteria
The Salina Business Hall of Fame will annually recognize the most esteemed leaders of business and free enterprise in the Salina area. To be considered as a Hall of Fame Laureate, an individual’s record of business achievement must demonstrate:
Nominations must be received at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce office, 120 W. Ash, P.O. Box 586, Salina, Kansas 67402-0586, by 5 p.m. August 8th, 2025. Questions? Contact the Chamber office, 785-827-9301.
The Salina Business Hall of Fame program is designed to honor prominent business leaders, both past and present, who have made extraordinary contributions to Salina, earned the respect of the local community and called attention to the Free Enterprise System and to its value to our country and citizens in shaping our local way of life. Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame have demonstrated the following characteristics: business excellence, courageous thinking, vision, innovation, and inspirational leadership. They have worked to lead the Salina community to a stronger, higher level.
Nomination Process
A volunteer task force will select inductees using the selection criteria as a guide. The general public and Chamber of Commerce members will have the opportunity to nominate potential inductees. The selection task force will consist of individuals who have themselves excelled and could be selected as inductees. Selection criteria and nomination forms are available.
Laureate Selection Criteria
To be considered as a Hall of Fame Laureate, an individual’s record of business achievement must demonstrate excellence in the following general categories: business excellence; entrepreneurial spirit; courageous thinking and action; inspiring leadership; community impact; positive role model; enduring accomplishments; and local influence. Hall of Fame Laureates are individuals whose work has moved the Salina community in a better, stronger direction. Both posthumous and living leaders are eligible.
Inductees will be honored in the following categories:
- Pioneer Award (1858-1945)
- Nominations and suggestions for these awards will be solicited from the public and general business community.
- Business leaders who have added to the prestige and growth of early Salina.
- Historic Award (1946-1999)
- Nominations and suggestions for these awards will be solicited from the public and general business community.
- Business leaders who have added to the prestige and growth of the Salina area business community, establishing the economic base on which Salina continues to grow and prosper.
- Contemporary Award (2000-Present)
- Nominations and suggestions for these awards will be solicited from the public and general business community.
- Business leaders who have added to the continued prestige and economic growth of present Salina.
The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce will forward names received as nominees to the selection task force. The selection task force will determine the laureates.
Tribute Luncheon
Laureates will be inducted at a luncheon in the fall. Chamber members and the general public will be invited to attend.
Physical Hall of Fame
A portrait of each laureate will be displayed in the Business Hall of Fame, located at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 W. Ash.
Inspiration
By honoring these esteemed leaders, it is hoped to encourage and inspire young people to make a career in business and contribute to their communities as those persons inducted into the Hall of Fame have done.
Laureate Selection Criteria
The Salina Business Hall of Fame will annually recognize the most esteemed leaders of business and free enterprise in the Salina area. To be considered as a Hall of Fame Laureate, an individual’s record of business achievement must demonstrate:
- Business Excellence
Laureates are honored as exceptional leaders of the business world to the citizens of Salina. - Entrepreneurial Spirit, Courageous Thinking and Action
Laureates demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and management skills through founding a business; leading a business to economic prominence; or leading a business through crisis, expansion or change to economic prominence. - Inspiring Leadership
Laureates demonstrate an extraordinary ability to influence people and events. They have achieved a high level of respect within the business and public communities. - Community Impact
Laureates apply leadership skills to public service or shared economic success with the community through philanthropy. Laureates utilize the free enterprise system to improve the quality of the lives of those in their community. - Role Model
Laureates demonstrate exemplary conduct and reputation, provide an appropriate role model for youth and demonstrate a history of mentoring youth. - Enduring
Laureate accomplishments are of an enduring nature. Laureates demonstrate the economic and social benefits that are derived from the rewards of innovation, quality, service and efficiency under free enterprise economics. - Local Influence
The success of Laureates was achieved in the Salina area.
Nominations must be received at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce office, 120 W. Ash, P.O. Box 586, Salina, Kansas 67402-0586, by 5 p.m. August 8th, 2025. Questions? Contact the Chamber office, 785-827-9301.
