A local business membership organization holds it’s annual awards banquet before a sold-out crowd.

A variety of business were honored by Forward Janesville during the event Tuesday at Glen Erin Celtic House.

New President and CEO Angela Pakes is impressed with the way the community has persevered over the last decade.

Some of the awards given out Tuesday include Ms. Jennifer McCarthy with Baker Tilly as the Emerging Leader of the Year, the Janesville Multicultural Teacher Scholarship Program with the Diversity of the Year Award, and Rock Road Companies with a Community Improvement of the Year Award.

Courtney Perakis with The Sugar Exchange was recognized at Entrepreneur of the Year, Gray Brewing Company was named Small Business of the Year, and former Forward Janesville President and CEO John Beckord was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.