The Lewis M. Conn Award is named in honor of Lewis Conn, who was the owner/publisher of Kentucky Business Ledger — one of the oldest regional business publications in the U.S. started shortly after World War II.

One of seven founders of the Alliance of Area Business Publications in 1978, Conn was a man of great integrity, values and held the highest standards of professionalism. He loved the business and could always be relied on to provide useful insights and helpful information.

Conn met a tragic and untimely death in 1989. After his death, the Board created the Lewis M. Conn Award in his memory to recognize outstanding service to AABP. It is not intended to be presented annually. Individuals are selected by the board of directors.

Recipients include:

1990—Armon Mills, then American City Business Journals president
1991—Mike Russell, CEO of ACBJ
1992—Crain Communications
1994—In memory of Donald R. Richards, publisher of Milwaukee Business Journal
1997—Bill Metcalf, then owner/publisher of New Orleans CityBusiness
1999—Manny Casiano, chairman of Casiano Communications
2002—David Schankweiler, publisher of Central Penn Business Journal
2004—Joe Cappo of Crain Communications Inc.
2006—Connie Wimer, president/publisher of Des Moines Business Record
2010—Dolan Media Co.
2013—Gloria Scoby, senior vice president and group publisher of Crain Communications, Inc.