NSBA's Advocate of the Year (AOTY) program recognizes successful small businesses for how they're run, what they've achieved, the contributions they make, as well as their people who make it all possible. When you apply and nominate, all materials requested provide an opportunity to share an independent view of your business and small-business achievements, benchmarking against some of the best and most active small businesses pursuing smarter small-business policy on the federal level. It’s more than an individual award focused on one or two benchmarks. It’s a comprehensive assessment of the applicant and nominee overall. 

NSBA's AOTY award recognizes small-business owners who go above and beyond in advocating for the small-business community.  To be eligible to apply for this program, applicants and nominees must meet the following criteria: 1) A demonstrated commitment to small-business advocacy above and beyond policies that specifically impact their own business or industry; 2) A proven history of volunteer efforts to advance and improve the overall small-business community; 3) Success in advocating for pro-small business policies; and 4) Success and growth as a small-business owner.

Applicant and nominators will complete a short form online, where there will be an opportunity to showcase the small business' achievements through the formal application. The AOTY 2026 application period runs through July 17, 2026. Finalists and winners are announced at NSBA’s annual Washington Presentation in Washington, D.C. For additional information, please contact the AOTY team at: ielsenbach@nsbaadvocate.org