GAACC Business Awards
Each year during the Ovation gala, the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding enterprises and individuals from our Central Texas community. These awards signify excellence in business, community engagement, and cultural visibility.
2025 GAACC Business Awards
Congratulations to our
2025 GAACC Business Awards honorees!
Community Organization of the Year
Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI)
Entrepreneur of the Year
Cristina Imperial Carl
Hospitality & Culture Award
Joi Conti Photography, LLC / TAYO NA
Emerging Business of the Year
Town Square North West Austin
Business of the Year
Firefly Aerospace
Excellence Award
Anh Selissen
Community Impact Awards
Thanh "Tommy" Hodinh
2025 GAACC Business Award Nominees
These deserving individuals, companies, and organizations were nominated by our community over an eight-week period during the Summer of 2025.
With the exception of the Hospitality & Culture Award, winners are selected by the Ovation Gala Planning Committee. All awardees will be recognized at the Ovation Gala on November 15th, 2025
Hospitality & Culture Award
🌟 ALL NEW IN 2025! 🌟
This award honors Asian-owned businesses or individuals who go beyond providing excellent service by actively enriching Austin’s cultural fabric. Recipients demonstrate exceptional hospitality and a passion for creating welcoming spaces and/or through their efforts, they contribute meaningfully to the city’s vibrant identity through cuisine, music, art, film, etc.
THE WINNER OF THIS AWARD WAS SELECTED THROUGH A COMMUNITY VOTE AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE OVATION GALA ON NOVEMBER 15th.
2025 Nominees
From the nomination:
"Bags by Amira are standing resilient by using Palestinian thobes to create fashionable bags, bookmarks and various other accessories. Their bags reflect a rich Palestinian/West Asian tradition and customs. Run by a family of artists, Bags by Amira is not just a business, it's a love letter of resilience to Palestine and West Asia, and Austin is so much more vibrant because of their beautiful items."
From the nomination:
"[Korea House is a] Hospitality/Culture Leader in displaying unparalleled generosity and advocacy for Korean food"
"On the first Wednesday of every month, the North Austin restaurant offers a free meal and fellowship to anyone who walks through its doors. After decades of providing food for a price, the owners said the recent free meal days are their way of serving the community and a greater purpose."
ORCHID EVENTS / KIMBERLY CHUNG
From the nomination:
"[Orchid Events CEO] Kimberly Chung is an outstanding events producer for GAACC and other non-profits, using her time and talent to plan numerous fundraiser galas, festivals, and parties. She masterfully blends modern and traditional Asian performances, decorations, and music to create special and entertaining events for all guests.
Her vast knowledge, resources, and creative skills ensure that every event is both successful and memorable. She is an asset to any event she plans, bringing with her strong business acumen and valuable connections. Kimberley's dedication is evident as she's always the first to arrive and the last to leave, ensuring a seamless experience for everyone."
RENE HELIT / THE CULTURED CHEFS, LLC
From the nomination:
"I have seen firsthand the amount of work Rene puts into his business, the care he puts into creating experiences for his clients, and overall the relationship-building skills he uses to maintain strong connections.
His food is always creative, blending many different Asian/AAPI tastes, while also curating to whoever
he is serving."
JOI CONTI PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC / TAYO NA
From the nomination:
"Joi Conti contributes to Austin’s culture of hospitality by creating spaces, both literal and visual, where people feel celebrated, seen, and genuinely welcomed. This generosity of vision and care extends beyond her client work, allowing the wider community to feel at home in their own identities.
Joi's leadership with TAYO NA, a 40-page editorial magazine spotlighting Austin’s Filipino artists and makers, has been deeply transformative. By amplifying underrepresented voices within Austin’s Asian community through print, she has built a cultural bridge that connects Filipino identity to Austin’s broader artistic and entrepreneurial landscape."
From the nomination:
"As CEO of the culture consultancy Qultured and president of Ascend Austin, Anu embeds Asian heritage into Austin’s hospitality fabric by guiding companies to build inclusive, people-first workplaces and by staging hands-on community events—Lunar New Year dumpling feasts, Diwali dinners, and toy-drive socials—hosted at Asian-owned venues that welcome new patrons, fund local causes, and give Austinites a warm, authentic taste of Asian-American culture."
From the nomination:
"Donations of food during weather events, local community events, supporting charities with food donations"
From the nomination:
"Owned by the Lin family, Soupleaf is the local favorite when it comes to quality hotpot experience. The family continues to promote Asian food culture outside of the restaurants by actively participating in online food forums by highlighting new Asian food businesses openings and what's upcoming."
Community Organization or
Community Leader of the Year
This award recognizes a non-profit organization, individual, or community leader who has made significant contributions to serving or supporting the Asian community.
2025 Nominees
ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF AUSTIN (AFSSA)
AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
AKSHAY MITTAL (ACM AUSTIN / KUBERNETES AUSTIN / AI COLLECTIVE AUSTIN)
VAN VO
Emerging Business of the Year
This award goes to a business that is at least 51% APA-owned or led, has been in business for five years or less, and has high growth and potential for continued success and job creation.
2025 Nominees
Entrepreneur of the Year
This award recognizes an individual of Asian descent who exemplifies entrepreneurial spirit through their business innovations, collaborations and partnerships with others, and leadership in their respective industry.
2025 Nominees
Business of the Year
This award is intended to recognize a business that is at least 51% APA-owned or led, has been in business for more than five years, and has achieved growth and success with a legacy for emulation.
2025 Nominees
2024 GAACC Business Awards
Congratulations to our
2024 GAACC Business Awards honorees!
APA Community Leader of the Year
Ruchi Gagrani
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sammy Lam
Emerging Business of the Year
A Better Force
Business of the Year
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Achievement Award
Jerry Won
Community Impact Award
Clifford K. Chiu
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WHAT: 2025 GAACC Ovation Gala - Illuminate The Night
WHEN: Saturday, November 15th, 2025 | 5-10 pm
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Austin
208 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, Texas 78704
For additional information, including event schedules, parking information, and what to expect,
check out our Know Before you Go message:
OVATION 2025 SPONSORS
Our generous Illuminate The Night sponsors make it possible for the GAACC to create and deliver programs in support of the AAPI business community in Central Texas throughout the year.
THANK YOU!
CELESTIAL SPONSOR
(PRESENTING SPONSOR)
GOLDEN CARPET SPONSOR
JADE BLOSSOM SPONSOR
(CENTERPIECES)
SILK LANTERN SPONSOR
(COCKTAIL RECEPTION)
SPICE ROUTE SPONSORS
EVENT PRODUCTION PARTNERS
The Ovation Gala is 100% produced by small, local businesses.
"ILLUMINATE THE NIGHT" DETAILS
When
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 5-10 pm
Where
Hyatt Regency Austin
Attire
Come dressed to impress! As always, black tie, cocktail wear, or traditional Asian attire are welcome!
Light- and illumination-inspired attire, accessories, or other fashion elements are encouraged. Have fun expressing your vision of what it means to illuminate our collective path to the future!
