Duck Dynasty CEO to speak at UAFS inaugural family and small business awards event

Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame will be the celebrity speaker at the the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) Center for Economic Development (CED)’s inaugural Excellence in Family and Small Business Awards.

The event, slated for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24, at the Bakery District in downtown Fort Smith, will honor regional family-owned and small businesses and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center.

Robertson is the CEO of Duck Commander, founder of Buck Commander, and star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty. According to the UAFS, he will share the journey of his family’s business, detailing how they grew a modest enterprise into a multi-million dollar empire, offering insights into entrepreneurship, family collaboration, and overcoming challenges.

Nominations for the inaugural UAFS awards are open until Sept. 12. Individuals, family-owned businesses, or small businesses can be nominated by submitting an online nomination form. Nominees are not required to be members of the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center or associated with the Arkansas Small Business Technology and Development Center.

Small business awards categories are: Black-Owned Business; Early Success and Growth; Hispanic Business, Small Business of the Year; Technology and Innovation Business; and Women-Owned Business.

Family-owned business awards categories are: Business Renewal; Emerging Luminary; Family Business of the Year; Family Unity; Legacy Champion; Succession Planning; Business Advisor of the Year.