What is AGORA?
In ancient Athens, agora was the marketplace where merchants gathered to sell their goods.  Over the past twenty years, 400+ members of the regional business community have gathered each May to celebrate business excellence throughout the greater Spokane area.  This is a chance for the public and Greater Spokane Incorporated to congratulate each of the businesses for the important role they play in the community and for contributing to the region's economic growth.

What is the process?
Each year we solicit nominations from members, volunteers, past winners and nominees, business owners and the general public. Download the Nomination Form.

Nominees do not need to be members of Greater Spokane Incorporated.  Nominees are asked to complete a preliminary questionnaire that provides the information necessary for the judges to group the nominees into categories – charitable nonprofits plus small, medium and large businesses.  Additionally, the information is used to select semi-finalists in each category.

Semi-finalists are then asked to complete a more extensive questionnaire. Based on the information provided, the judges narrow the field to four finalists in each category and conduct formal interviews with them.  Judging criteria include growth, marketing strategy, employee environment, customer service, response to adversity, strategic planning, creativity and contribution to the regional economy. Winners are selected in the four categories plus the C. Michael Archer Community Service and Entrepreneurial Spirit awards.

Who are the judges?
The 20 judges are all volunteers chosen from the regional business and non-profit community.  If you are interested in serving as a judge, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What exposure will my organization receive?
Recognition of semi-finalists and finalists on our website, inclusion of finalists and winners in a special Journal of Business insert, recognition of winners at a Greater Spokane Incorporated breakfast, a Board of Directors meeting, on posters hung in our windows on Post Street, media coverage and much more!

Greater Spokane Incorporated’s 24th Annual Agora Awards program took place on June 2nd at The Davenport Hotel. The reception and ceremony are part of the region’s premiere business awards event.

What past winners have to say:

“The AGORA award process was a rewarding experience.  It allowed me to see my business in a different way.  I knew it was a good business but had no idea so many others would understand and appreciate how hard I have worked to build the business of my dreams.”  Eric Holt, Allsport Honda Polaris, 2007 AGORA award winner

“It is hugely meaningful for our team to walk with the Spokane business community giants, including each of the past AGORA award winners.  Each step of the process made us self-examine the “What-Why-How-Outcomes-Impact” of what we do each day for our patients and our community.”  Duane Grummons, D.D.S., M.S.D., Grummons Orthodontics, 2007 AGORA award winner

“Sure, going through the process was not easy, but the end result is so well worth the time spent.  To receive the AGORA award was such an honor.”  Robin Waller, SNAP, 2007 AGORA award winner

Past Winners:

2009
Women and Children's Free Restaurant
Downtown Spokane Parntership (DSP) / Business Improvement District (BID)
Just American Desserts
Beacon Hill
LeMaster Daniels, PLLC
Dry Fly Distilling, Inc.
Klundt Hosmer, Inc.

2008
Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cancer Patient Care
Inspired Solutions, Inc.
L&M Precision Fabrication, Inc.
NAC/Architecture
Magnuson Hotels
Washington State University Spokane

2007
Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs (SNAP)
Angus Meats, Inc.
Walker Construction, Inc.
Kiemle & Hagood Company
Grummons Orthodontics
Allsport Honda Polaris

2006
Spokane Guilds’ School & Neuromuscular Center
Second Harvest Inland Northwest
BCi Creative
Wheatland Bank
Northern Quest, A Kalispel Casino
Spokane Cardiology
ISR / Spraycool

2005
Morning Star Boys’ Ranch
Coffee Systems, Inc.
Wilbert Precast, Inc.
Pearson Packaging Systems
The Davenport Hotel
Brett Sports & Entertainment

2004
Inland Northwest Health Services
Spokane Occupational & Hand Therapy
Cyrus O’Leary’s Pies
Lydig Construction, Inc.
Taylor Engineering, Inc.
Zak Designs, Inc.

2003
Spokane Hoopfest
Physician Hospital Community Organization
Coffman Engineers
Washington Trust Bank
Journal of Business
ConoverBond Development

2002
Inland Northwest Blood Center
Wolff Corporate Housing
Mooney & Pugh Contractors Inc.
Hollister-Stier Laboratories LLC
Sacred Heart Medical Center
Chipman Moving and Storage (Spokane) Inc.

2001
Community Assistance Program of Deaconess & Valley Medical Centers
Design Source
Sutherland Motors LTD
Hollister-Stier, Inc.
ICM Asset Management, Inc.
Yoke’s Washington Foods, Inc.

2000
Nova Services
Terry’s Quality Service
WhiteRunkle Associates
WestCoast Hospitality Corporation
Fidelity Associates
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.

1999
Hospice of Spokane
Marketing Dynamics
ALSC Architects PS
Dealers’ Auto Auction
Empire Ford, Inc.
WindStar Group, Inc.

1998
Cancer Patient Care
Anderson Mraz Design, Inc.
DataPro Solutions, Inc.
Wells & Company
Great Harvest Bread Company
Taylor Engineering, Inc.

1997
Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross
Craven’s Coffee Company
Crow’s Nest Entertainment, Inc.
Foothills Lincoln-Mercury-Mazda
Premier Marketing, LLC