Join us!

Parking onsite is available. The Thompson’s Point campus is pay to park.  Parking is $2 per an hour and can be paid via kiosk or the passport app by selecting zone 1213.

James Beard–recognized Maine icons – Reception Tastings:

• Rob Tod, the founder of Allagash Brewing, winner of the 2019 James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Beer, or Spirits professional will be in attendance with his special brews – 2025 Maine Family Business Award Finalist
• Mary Allen Lindemann, owner, founder and chief creative director, Coffee By Design, 2025 James Beard Semifinalist Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, will be in attendance featuring coffee with Nielsen-Massey vanilla – 2002 Maddy Corson Small Business Award Winner
• Chef Brant Dadaleares from Gross Confection Bar, 2025 James Beard Semifinalist, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker will do a cooking demo with Nielsen-Massey vanilla specialties

Join the Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) for the 2025 Maine Family Business Awards (MFBA) (hybrid in-person and remote option).  It’s our largest fundraiser of the year and we’ll have a new trade show to showcase your products, amazing networking, heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and the awards show.

Now in its 25th year of recognizing family businesses with the awards, we present them in partnership with MEMIC.  Since its inception, more than 100 businesses have been recognized for various categories of excellence. Businesses are nominated by members of the public, submit an in depth application and judges score them to see if they make it from, semi-finalists, to finalists to possible winners! The winners will be announced LIVE – like the Oscars – at the awards!

One comment, may best capture the essence of the awards, and in many ways describes the Institute: “While applying for the awards, we discovered a lot about ourselves…and that alone made the effort worthwhile.”

The gala attracts family businesses large and small with an audience of over 500 (hybrid). The Maine Family Business Awards is a celebration that pays more than just recognition; it serves as a vehicle for networking and opening up all shades of possibilities for families seeking to grow their business.

Exciting sponsorship opportunities available including tables with a “showcase” space during networking.. Inquire at Catherine@fambusiness.org.

Our 2025 Guest Speaker:

Matt Nielsen
Strategic Advisor Corporate Development & 3rd Generation Owner, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Inc.,

Matt Nielsen is a third-generation steward and shareholder for family-owned Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Inc., Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International LLC, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas International BV, and Nielsen Real Estate BV.

He currently operates as the Strategic Advisor for Corporate Development, overseeing the companies’ inorganic growth strategies via acquisition and investment. Over Matt’s 30+ years engaged in the family business, he also had responsibility at one time or another for the company’s worldwide operations, retail & food service sales, strategic initiatives, and European business unit.

Matt is currently a Director for Nielsen-Massey Vanillas; Director for family-owned Graziano Brothers, a 4^thgeneration producer of specialty sausage products, specialty retailer and wholesaler; Director for Family Enterprise USA; Vice President – Treasurer and Director of the Nielsen-Massey Foundation; Mentor and Panelist in Kellogg’s John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises; and a member and speaker at multiple Family Business Centers.

He is a past Executive in Residence in Kellogg’s John L. Ward Center for Family Enterprises; Director and Officer of the Specialty Food Association, serving for ten years; the Specialty Food Foundation; The French Pastry School’s Curriculum Advisory Board; the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing; and an advisor for four specialty food startup companies – Droga Chocolates, Rare Bird Preserves, Two Fold granola and Sunday Night Foods specialty dessert sauces.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and holds two Certificates of Professional Achievement in Family Business #Leadership and #Governance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Evanston, Illinois.

He now lives in Lake Bluff, Illinois with his wife, Amy, and their son and baby daughter. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the outdoors, boating, skiing/snowboarding, riding his motorcycle and cooking, particularly authentic, competition BBQ.

Our 2025 Host:

Amanda Hill, Weeknight Anchor, NEWS CENTER Maine

The award-winning journalist grew up in Maine, and works hard to share the stories of Maine people. She studied Broadcast Television from both ends of the camera at Northern Vermont University, where she developed a background as a photographer, reporter, and anchor.

Unable to sit still for too long, Amanda also works in real estate, helping friends and family sell and buy their dream homes. She enjoys coffee, craft beer, dogs, and Vacationland.

About the MFBA:
The awards celebrate the accomplishments of small and large businesses that exemplify the following criteria:

· Business success
· Positive business and family linkages
· Contributions to the community and industry
· Family participation
· Work environment
· Communication
· Innovative business practices or strategies

Awards are presented in seven categories and will be announced LIVE at the gala:

· Renys Large Business Award (25 or more employees)
· Chalmers Insurance Group Customer Service Award
· EOS Worldwide First Generation Award
· M&T Bank Innovation & Technology Award
· Shep Lee Community Service Award
· Maddy Corson Small Business Award (fewer than 25 employees)
· Geiger Environmental Leadership Award

*We do not issue printed tickets. Please check-in at the registration desk upon arrival to receive your name tag(s). Institute for Family-Owned Business (IFOB) is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 26-2428220.  For tax purposes, we value the ticket as follows:  $175 (ticket price) – $75 (Fair Market Value of dinner & entertainment) = $100 (tax-deductible amount).

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