Awards & Honors
People love Emporia. Here are just a few of the accolades we’ve received:
SBA Small Business Persons of the Year, Kansas – Dan and Jan Smoots, Fanestil Meats
U.S. Small Business Administration, 2022
2022 State and Territory Small Business Person(s) of the Year
Kansas Small Business Development Center – Emerging Business – Chi Em Eats
KSBDC Emporia State University, 2022
ESU KSBDC
Trox Gallery and Gifts – Business Innovation – Southeast Region
To The Stars Celebrating Kansas Businesses, 2021
Kansas Department of Commerce
Emporia Named one of five Unique American Cities Worth Visiting
Ezvid Wiki, 2021
5 Unique American Cities Worth Visiting
HED Cycling announces gravel wheel line | Emporia – A wheel for the people and land that gave us gravel
HED Cycling, 2020
https://hedcycling.com/gravel/
#1 Disc Golf Small Town in the U.S.
UDisc, 2020
udisc.com
Kansas SBDC Small Business of the Year – Existing – Sweet Granada
Kansas Small Business Development Center, 2020
Kansas SBDC
Best Burger in Kansas – Do-B’s
msn lifestyle & Yelp, 2019
msn.com
The Most Guitar Strings Changed in One Hour – Thomas Silkman/Flint Hills Music
Guinness World Records, 2018
The Absolute Best Burger in Kansas – Do-B’s
msn lifestyle & Yelp, 2018
msn.com
25 Best Last Minute Family Vacations
VacationIdea Dream Vacation Magazine, 2018
vacationidea.com
Best Small-Town Bar (Kansas) – Mulready’s Pub
Thrillist Food, 2018
Thrillist.com
2018 Existing Business of the Year – Radius Brewing Company, LLC
Kansas Small Business Development Center – 2018 Kansas Small Business Awards, 2018
kansassbdc.net
Top 10 Affordable Small Towns Where You’d Actually Want to Live – Emporia #6
Realtor.com, 2018
Readers’ Choice Best Local Eats – Do-B’s
Kansas Magazine, 2017
Readers’ Choice Best Local Eats – Amanda’s Bakery & Cafe
Kansas Magazine, 2017
Best Sandwich Shop in Kansas – Do-B’s
Travel + Leisure Magazine, 2017
travelandleisure.com
Forward Thinking Small Business – Best Community Engagement – Dynamic Discs
Forbes
forbes.com
#1 Best Main Street in America
USA Today, 2016
10best.com
Best Brewery in Kansas – Radius Brewing Company
Yahoo Travel, 2015
yahoo.com
Governor’s Tourism Award – Dirty Kanza 200
2015
#25 Best Small City in America
Nerdwallet, 2015
nerdwallet.com
World’s Best Drinking Water
Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition, 2013
travel.cnn.com
Most Patriotic City Finalist
Rand McNally Best of the Road, 2013
randmcnally.com
#1 Burger in the State – J’s Carryout
AAA Travel Magazine, 2003
Official Recognition as the Founding City of Veterans Day
United States Congress, 2003
gpo.gov
Tourism Industry Awards
1st Place – People’s Choice, 2021
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – Medium Budget Community Awareness, 2021
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – Medium Budget Integrated Media, 2019
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – Medium Budget Outsourced Visitors Guide, 2019
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
Best Brochure Award – Regional Winner, 2018
CTM Media Group
1st Place – Medium Budget Integrated Campaign, 2018
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – Medium Budget Print Material, 2018
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – Medium Budget Outsourced Visitors Guide, 2018
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – People’s Choice, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – Print Material (Magazine Ads), 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
2nd Place – Visitors Guide, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
2nd Place – Print Material (Billboards), 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
Honorable Mention – Online Media, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
Honorable Mention – Integrated Campaign, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas
1st Place – Integrated Campaign, 2016
Travel Industry Association of Kansas