Spirit of the Region and Icon Award recipients to be honored September 17 at Nissan Stadium
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 9, 2026) – The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce today announced the business, civic, and community leaders who will be honored at Annual Celebration 2026: Next Starts Now on Sept. 17 at the existing Nissan Stadium.
This year’s Annual Celebration will recognize those who have helped shape Nashville and Middle Tennessee while looking ahead to the people, partnerships, and ideas defining what comes next for the region. The honorees represent leadership across business, education, healthcare, music, workforce development, philanthropy, and civic life.
“We have a lot to celebrate this year, including people who have made outstanding contributions to our region,” said Stephanie Coleman, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our theme, Next Starts Now, reflects both how far our region has come and the work that is already underway to shape its future. Our honorees embody that spirit through their leadership, service, and commitment to Middle Tennessee.”
Coleman continued, “Our Annual Celebration is also an opportunity to recognize the members and investors who make the Chamber’s work possible. As our region’s job creators, community partners, and leaders, they play an essential role in driving economic prosperity, and we are proud to celebrate their role in our region’s success.”
2026 Spirit of the Region Award Recipients
Advocate Award: Dave Briggs
A committed champion of the Chamber whose leadership has advanced economic opportunity, strengthened communities, and fostered public-private collaboration across Middle Tennessee.
Catalyst Award: C. Wright Pinson, M.D. and Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, Ed.D.
Leaders whose work through the Postsecondary Industry Network has brought education and healthcare partners together to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline and advance solutions to critical talent needs.
Changemaker Award: Sarah Trahern
A transformative leader whose work at the Country Music Association has strengthened Nashville’s global reputation, supported tourism and the regional economy, and expanded the impact of music education through the CMA Foundation.
Connector Award: Mark Heffernan
A dedicated Chamber ambassador whose service on the Member Relations Committee, support of fellow businesses, and commitment to building relationships have strengthened connections across the Chamber network.
Influencer Award: Leisa Gill
A longtime Partnership 2030 Ambassador whose decades of civic leadership and relationship-building have connected leaders, created opportunities, and built trusted partnerships that contribute to the region’s continued growth.
Innovator Award: Monchiere’ Holmes-Jones
A bold leader who combines innovation, creativity, and servant leadership to transform cultural heritage into economic opportunity and create new pathways for community investment and regional prosperity.
Trailblazer Award: Hal Lawton
A regional leader whose engagement with the Chamber’s Talent Solutions Council has advanced important workforce conversations and whose community support during Winter Storm Fern demonstrated action when Middle Tennessee needed it most.
Visionary Award: Super Bowl Bid Committee
A special recognition to honor the coalition of business, government, tourism, sports, and community leaders whose collaboration around Nashville’s Super Bowl bid elevated the region’s national profile and demonstrated a bold vision for its future.
2026 Icon Award Recipients
The Chamber’s Icon Awards recognize individuals whose lasting contributions have helped shape Nashville and Middle Tennessee and whose legacies will continue to influence the region for generations to come.
Ronald L. Corbin (posthumous)
Honoring a respected business and civic leader whose service across education, arts and culture, philanthropy, and community organizations created opportunities for others and strengthened Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Martha R. Ingram (posthumous)
Honoring a visionary civic and philanthropic leader whose lifelong investment in the arts, education, and community institutions helped shape Nashville and strengthen its quality of life for generations.
Dolly Parton (posthumous)
Honoring an extraordinary artist, businesswoman, and philanthropist whose career, generosity, and global influence helped define Nashville’s identity and created an enduring legacy for future generations.
Award recipients will be recognized at the 2026 Annual Celebration on Sept. 17, from 7-9 p.m. on the field at the existing Nissan Stadium.
Presenting sponsors for this year’s Annual Celebration include PNC Bank, Schneider Electric, and Southwest Airlines.
For registration and more information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com/annual-celebration.
Registration closes September 11, 2026 at 5 p.m. (CST/CDT). Tickets and on-site registration will not be available at the door.
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For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Nicole Miller
nmiller@nashvillechamber.com
615-743-3068
About the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing over 1,900 member companies. Belong, engage, lead, prosper embodies the Chamber’s focus on creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. Established in 1990 as an economic development and community enhancement initiative of the Chamber, Partnership 2030 is a regional cooperative dedicated to making Middle Tennessee among the nation’s best places to live, work, and do business. Partnership 2030 is supported by a diverse group of public and private companies as well as governmental agencies from the organization’s 10-county service area. The work of the Chamber is supported by its members, Partnership 2030 investors, and sponsors; the Chamber’s Pivotal Partners (a partnership at the highest level for all Chamber programs and events) are Gresham Smith, PMC, and Regions Bank. For more information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com.