BBB TORCH AWARDS FOR ETHICS

Honoring The Businesses That Earn
Trust Everyday.

Name: BBB Torch Awards — Big Blue Bash (Torch Awards for Ethics)
Start: 2026-10-15T17:00:00
End: 2026-10-15T20:00:00
Location: Gateway Building

Every day, Central Illinois businesses make choices that either build trust or break it. The Torch Awards celebrate the ones who choose trust — and show the rest of us what ethical business looks like. Join us Thursday, October 15, 2026 at the Gateway Building, Peoria.

Nominate an Employee

Celebrating 27 Years · 100+ Businesses Honored · Presented by BBB of Central Illinois

Critical Milestones

NOMINATIONS OPEN

JULY 15, 2026

NOMINATIONS CLOSE

August 31, 2026

APPLICATIONS DUE

September 15, 2026

Big blue bash

OCTOBER 15, 2026

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Recognizing Ethics.

Celebrating Excellence.

Since 1999, the BBB Torch Awards have recognized Central Illinois businesses that don't just talk about ethics — they live it. Over 100 businesses have been honored, including Caterpillar, CEFCU, Maui Jim, Helitech, Blunier Builders, and many more.

These aren't the biggest or loudest companies. They're the ones who do the right thing when no one's watching, treat customers like neighbors instead of transactions, and build cultures where integrity is the default. The Torch Awards exist because trust is earned, not given — and every year we get to celebrate the businesses that prove it.

Past winners of the BBB Torch Awards holding their trophies at the gala

Judging Criteria: The Four C's

Character

Ethical leadership and personal integrity

Culture

Internal values that support ethical behavior

Customers

How you prioritize relationships and trust

Community

Your broader impact and responsibility

More Than an Awards Night

The Torch Awards are a celebration — and it shows. Between the recognition and the applause, there's a photo booth, props, and a room full of Central Illinois business owners letting loose with the people they spend all year working alongside. Bring your team, grab a prop, and make a few memories worth framing.

Recognition Meets Celebration

It's the Big Blue Bash, not a lecture. Expect plenty of smiles, laughs, and photo-booth moments with the best businesses in the region.

"The trophies are serious. The night isn't. Come ready to celebrate."

STEP ONE

Nominations Closed for 2026

Anyone can nominate - customers, employees, partners, and self nominations. Nominations are confidential and take less than 2 minutes. BBB reviews each nomination, invites eligible businesses to apply, and recognizes the winners at the ceremony.

Only 1 nomination per businesses is needed for consideration.

BBB Torch award winners 2025

Meet the Businesses Who Have Earned the Torch.

Celebrating ethical leadership across Central Illinois.

TORCH WINNER 2025

Big Papa Jakes

Excellence in food truck service.

TORCH WINNER 2025

Pearl Technologies

Leading the technology sector with profound integrity.

TORCH WINNER 2025

Platinum Plumbing

Community service and ethical standards.

TORCH WINNER 2025

C.T. Gabbert

Reliability and honesty when our community matters most.

Past Winners: Caterpillar • CEFCU • Maui Jim • Helitech • Blunier Builders • Woods Basement Systems • Sherman's • Avanti's • and 90+ more

STEP TWO

Nominated?

Here's How to Apply.

The Torch Awards application is an opportunity to showcase how your business lives its values. Here is what applicants should prepare:

1. Confirmation of Nomination
Include the formal nomination email received from the BBB to verify eligibility.

2. Business Overview
A brief summary of your company's history, core mission, and leadership structure.

3. Responses to the Four Pillars
Detailed narratives on how your business demonstrates Character, Culture, Customers, and Community.

4. Supporting Documentation
Evidence of community involvement, previous awards, and customer or employee testimonials.

5. Visual Assets
High-resolution business logo and candid team or workplace photos.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are open to nominated BBB Accredited Businesses in good standing. Average completion time: 30–45 minutes.

What you get as a winner: Public recognition at the October 15 ceremony, the BBB Torch Award winner seal for your marketing, a feature in the BBB yearbook and press coverage, and validation that sets you apart from competitors.

Start Your Application

To apply, a business must have 3+ years in operation, headquarters within the BBB Central Illinois service area, a BBB rating of 'B' or higher, no unresolved complaints, and be a BBB Accredited Business in good standing. Applications close September 15, 2026 — the best businesses apply early.

PARTNER WITH US

Be One of the Names Central Illinois Trusts Most for the Next 12 Months

800+ business owners. C-suite executives. Community leaders. One night. Your name on all of it.

The Big Blue Bash isn't a charity dinner with a few handouts at the door. It's Central Illinois's biggest business networking event of the year — and the companies that sponsor it aren't buying signage. They're buying 12 months of credibility by association with the only organization in the region that has spent 100+ years standing behind ethical business.

Sponsorship Packages Include:

Recognition in the room — on the stage, in the printed program, on the table markers, and across the cocktail reception.
Marketing exposure — pre-event print, e-Newsletter, social media mentions, and a permanent year-round placement on the BBB Torch website.
Reserved premium seating — closer to the stage, closer to the room that matters, and visible to every leader who walks past.

Packages start at $100 for the Teamwork tier and scale to a single Torch Light sponsorship at the top — most businesses land in between. The reach is real. But what sponsors remember is the room: the leaders who came to say hello, and the conversations still going the next morning.

See the Sponsorship Packages

JOIN US on October 15th 2026

Reserve Your Seat at this Year's Big Blue Bash.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 · Gateway Building · Peoria, IL · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Attire: Business Formal

Big Blue Bash Single Ticket

$50 Single Ticket

Perfect for individual guests to experience the full Torch Awards evening.

Reserve My Seat

Couple's Package

$100 Couple

Ideal for two guests to enjoy an unforgettable Torch Awards evening together.

Reserve Our Seats

Reserved Table of 8

$400 Table of 8

Reserve a full table for 8 guests and celebrate together in style at the Torch Awards.

Reserve A Table

EVENT INFO

What to Expect.

THE EVENING

Cocktail reception with Central Illinois' most trusted business leaders, plated dinner, recognition of the 2026 Torch Award finalists and winners, the Customer Service Award presentation, and networking with 200+ accredited business owners.

THE DETAILS

Thursday, October 15, 2026
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Gateway Building, Peoria, IL
Business Formal attire
$50 per person.

GETTING THERE

Parking and directions will be provided prior to the event. The venue is fully ADA accessible; please note any special accommodation needs during your ticket checkout.