Celebrating the Pearls of Wisdom at ACG Orange County’s 30th Annual Awards

ACG Orange County’s 30th Annual Awards Gala at the Irvine Marriott wasn’t just another date on the calendar. It was a full house celebration of everything that makes the middle market in Southern California so special. From the first clink of glasses at the reception to the final round of applause, the evening had a kind of buzz that reminded everyone why we show up, why we connect, and why we build.

The theme of the night, “Pearls of Wisdom,” couldn’t have been more fitting. It captured the spirit of the companies being recognized not just smart decision makers, but thoughtful, forward looking leaders who’ve earned their stripes by navigating challenges, seizing opportunity, and building strong, resilient teams along the way.

And let’s talk about the vibe for a second. This wasn’t a stiff, overly formal affair. Yes, the ballroom was beautifully set, and yes, everyone brought their A game style wise but there was something genuinely comfortable about the energy. People weren’t there to impress they were there to engage. Conversations flowed easily. You could feel a shared respect in the room, not just for the winners, but for the journeys behind each success.

Throughout the night, it was clear just how much Orange County’s middle market has grown and matured. As award after award was handed out, you started to see a pattern this was about more than growth for growth’s sake. These companies were being celebrated for innovating with purpose, for scaling sustainably, and for staying true to values while navigating a world that’s anything but predictable.

Winners like Genomic Testing Cooperative, honored for their innovative advances in diagnostics, and Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards, recognized for sustainability, stood out not just for what they’ve achieved, but for how they did it. Their stories weren’t just impressive they were inspiring. You got the sense that their wins were hard earned, thoughtful, and team driven.

The conversations during the evening reflected that same spirit. Between bites of dinner and sips of wine, people talked about real world issues about navigating the M&A landscape, balancing global risk, and adapting to ongoing shifts in policy and supply chains. Trump era tariffs still came up more than once, especially among companies with international vendors or global operations. There’s a clear sense that the aftershocks of those policies are still shaping how middle market businesses think about resilience and expansion.

What’s powerful is that these conversations weren’t just theoretical. They were being had by the very people building the next wave of growth. You could hear leaders swapping strategies how one company near shored manufacturing to reduce risk, how another pursued acquisition to diversify its revenue stream, how others were doubling down on tech investment to future proof their models. The takeaways were immediate, actionable, and grounded in lived experience.

Orange County itself is proving to be a fertile ground for that kind of bold strategy. With infrastructure projects ramping up in transportation, clean energy, commercial real estate, and tech, the region is rapidly becoming a hotspot for companies ready to scale up and stand out. The evening felt like a confirmation that middle market businesses aren’t just along for the ride they’re helping drive the economy forward.

And maybe the most refreshing part? The humility. For all their success, the winners weren’t standing up there bragging. They were thanking their teams, their mentors, and their communities. They were talking about tough moments, big pivots, and lessons learned. It wasn’t just about the spotlight it was about sharing what it took to get there.

That kind of authenticity is what makes events like this stick with you. It's easy to get caught up in the grind, in the next pitch or quarter or deliverable. But evenings like this remind you why it all matters why relationships, shared learning, and thoughtful leadership are so crucial.

So, cheers to the ACG OC team for pulling together a night that didn’t just celebrate business it celebrated people, progress, and possibility. The companies recognized are already raising the bar, and it’s clear they’re just getting started.