Jay Rogers to Keynote 2026 Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards Luncheon

TAMPA, Fla. (March 19, 2026) – On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at USF will recognize businesses from the 10-county Tampa Bay region during the 4^th Annual Florida SBDC at USF Business Awards Luncheon. The 2026 Annual Business Awards will recognize Florida SBDC at USF and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) business award winners for their hard work and dedication during 2025. In addition, Florida SBDC at USF team members will be recognized for their outstanding work.
 
Guests will have a chance to network, visit exhibitor booths, enjoy lunch and hear from keynote speaker Jay Rogers, at the University of South Florida (USF) Marshall Center, located at 4103 USF Cedar Cir, Tampa, FL 33620 (second floor). The event will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a welcome from Florida SBDC at USF regional director, Carl Hadden, and continue with presentations of small business awards, SBA business awards, network performance awards, and the keynote.

John "Jay" B. Rogers, Jr., CEO & Co-Founder of Haddy, grew up a lover of woodworking, machines, and a student of industry; his grandfather owned the legendary Indian Motorcycle Company, founded concrete and steel giant Texas Industries, and was the first Cummins Engine Distributor in the United States. Rogers’ grandfather is also credited with saving the Public Broadcasting System during the Nixon Administration and co-founding the Children's Television Workshop, which is best known for Sesame Street. In embracing his family legacy of manufacturing and innovation, Rogers has added his military leadership, entrepreneurship, and education, in order to hand-select a team of co-founders and set forth on a most ambitious plan: Creating Haddy - manufacturer of heroic, beautiful, durable furniture for retailers, to their design, built locally in the most resilient and sustainable manner.
 
“As we gather again to honor the remarkable achievements of our region’s small businesses, I am reminded of the resilience, creativity, and determination that define our entrepreneurial community,” Florida SBDC at USF regional director, Carl Hadden, said. “Each story we celebrate reflects the powerful impact that dedicated business owners, and the partners who support them, have on our regional economy. We look forward to an inspiring luncheon that recognizes excellence across all award categories and celebrates the collective efforts that strengthen our ecosystem year after year.”
 
This event is open to the public. Cost is $99 per attendee. For more details, please visit: https://events.blackthorn.io/6g3Q8Wa7/5a1eVOCHQNN
 
Presenting sponsor for this event: Suncoast Credit Union