The Spirit of the Entrepreneur marks its 20th year this year! Join the awards ceremony on 17th November 2022 for a spectacular evening of inspiration and innovation as they honor Inland Southern California’s best business innovators at this black-tie event.

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About the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award 2022

The Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program was established in 2003 with a single goal: to honor and celebrate the achievements of the Inland Empire’s most successful entrepreneurs. Since then, they’ve named hundreds of candidates and awarded the prestigious Spirit Award to more than 200 businesses. Over the years, the black-tie awards ceremony has established itself as the premier business event in the Inland Empire! 

They highlight the entrepreneurial success stories that drive the local economy and serve as role models for aspiring entrepreneurs by bringing together entrepreneurs, business executives, and community leaders from around the two-county region.

Here are the three things you can look forward to as event highlights. These include the Garner Holt Fast Pitch Competition, the nomination month, and the Fast Pitch Competition at the end of the Spirit Awards 2022.

1. Garner Holt Fast Pitch Competition

Selected students from Cal State San Bernardino’s annual Student Fast Pitch Competition are invited to give the public a 90-second pitch of their prospective business venture concept as part of the Spirit Awards event! 

Five students will make a pitch for the most promising proposal during the televised presentation. The first-place winning student pitch will earn a $4,000 cash reward!

Garner Holt, founder of Garner Holt Productions in Redlands and recipient of the Spirit Award in 2006 (Technology Entrepreneur) and 2019 (Lifetime Achievement), generously supports the Student Fast Pitch Competition. His assistance helps to boost the program’s profile on and off campus.

“The fastpitch competition is a great event that encourages students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams,” noted Holt. “I am delighted to lend my support to help take the event to the next level in terms of prestige and prize money for the students.”

Check out the winners of previous years of the fast pitch competition here.

Event Timeline for the Year 2022

2. August 2022 – The Nomination Month

The time for nominations has arrived! People are encouraged to nominate an entrepreneur from the Inland Empire who deserves to be honored for their accomplishments. Nominations from the public are welcome!

September 2022 – Judging Reception

The judges can conduct direct one-on-one speed round sessions with the semi-finalists at the judging reception. The judges choose the finalists who will be showcased at the awards gala event based on background data and this personalized interaction.

October 2022 – The Ticketing Time

Tickets will sell out quickly, so sign up for Spirit Updates to be alerted when ticketing opens to get your seats for the season’s biggest event. There will be VIP and Premier seating choices available. Safety measures will govern attendance.

Sign up for the updates here. 

3. November 2022 – The Fast Pitch Finale

The Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition is a popular element of each Spirit Awards event. Join a week before the gala to discover which students will win a seat on stage at the Spirit Awards to present to the audience!