Back-to-Back Wins: What the IBBA Platinum Award Really Means
Measurable success is rare in the field of business brokerage, and public recognition is even rarer. That’s why the IBBA Platinum Chairman’s Circle Award stands out as one of the industry’s most meaningful benchmarks. Reserved for brokers who close qualified business transactions totaling $10 million or more in a single calendar year, the award reflects not only performance but consistency, strategy, and trust.
This year, Nick Fares, founder of NEO Business Advisors, earned the Platinum Chairman’s Circle Award for the third consecutive year, joining a select group of brokers who have reached this level of achievement multiple times. Of the 62 brokers to receive this award this year, Fares was the only one from Ohio. His recognition at the 2025 International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) Annual Conference in Orlando highlights a continued commitment to excellence in the sale of privately held companies.
What the IBBA Platinum Chairman’s Circle Award Represents
The Platinum Chairman’s Circle Award reflects a level of deal-making activity that few brokers reach, not just in volume, but in the complexity and caliber of the transactions involved. Earning this recognition means successfully managing the sale of one or more privately held businesses with a total transaction value of $10 million or more within a single year.
While the financial threshold is clear, the award also highlights deeper qualities: the ability to structure deals that meet the needs of both sellers and buyers, navigate industry-specific challenges, and maintain client confidence throughout every stage of the process. To earn this award, brokers also must have a reputation for integrity and ethical conduct. For professionals operating in specialized markets such as manufacturing and B2B services, this kind of recognition is a testament to disciplined execution, honesty, professionalism, and industry knowledge, not just isolated success.
The IBBA: Setting the Standard for Business Brokerage
The International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) is the leading global organization for professionals in the Mergers and Acquisitions industry. Their annual awards are designed to recognize brokers who consistently raise the bar year after year.
About the IBBA and Its Awards
The International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) is the largest professional organization for business brokers worldwide. Its annual Member Excellence Awards are designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated high performance in the field, based on objective and verifiable results. The Chairman’s Circle Awards — and particularly the Platinum level — represent significant deal activity and are awarded only to those who have met strict criteria related to transaction volume and total purchase price.
These awards help establish industry standards and highlight brokers who are consistently delivering results at the highest level of the profession.
NEO Business Advisors’ Commitment to Results
NEO Business Advisors is a business brokerage firm focused on guiding the sale of privately held companies in the manufacturing, industrial B2B services, and distribution sectors. The firm serves clients throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest regions, offering advisory services built on preparation, strategic positioning, and market insight.
Recognition, such as the IBBA Platinum Chairman’s Circle Award, reflects the firm’s ability to execute successful transactions in competitive and specialized markets. It also reinforces the value of experience and consistency in helping business owners achieve successful exits, often involving complex financial and operational considerations.