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2026 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala
March 21 @ 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
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The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and others to celebrate the winners, all of whom have deep roots in West Tennessee. The 2026 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:
- Mike Cox
- Allison Demarcus
- Lee Marshall
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We are excited to welcome guests to the 2026 Discovery Awards Dinner and Gala. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 pm, with Americana-inspired cocktail attire encouraged, including red, white and blue. Dinner for the gala will be provided by Artisan Kitchen of Paducah, Kentucky. Entertainment for the evening will feature an ensemble from The Jackson Symphony. The host for the 2026 awards dinner and gala will be Matt Marshall, president and CEO of United Way of West Tennessee. Marshall is a West Tennessee native who leads the region’s largest community impact organization, championing initiatives in education, financial stability and health. Under his leadership, United Way has expanded its reach and strengthened collaborative efforts that improve lives across the 17 county region.
In honor of America 250, this year’s attire is Americana cocktail. Guests are encouraged to wear red, white and blue, though it is not required. The theme reflects Discovery Park of America’s continued celebration of this historic milestone throughout the year, including the Celebrating 250 Years of Independence event on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, 2026.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
The 2026 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees:
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Mike Cox
Mike Cox, founder of Little General stores, was born in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and grew up in Union City, Tennessee. After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, he returned home with little more than faith and determination. Starting with three closed service stations in Memphis, he built a successful business on a promise to God to use his success to help others—a promise he’s kept throughout his life by creating opportunities for countless people in his community.
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Allison DeMarcus
Allison DeMarcus is a television personality, philanthropist, and founder of the Miss Volunteer America Pageant system. A former Miss Tennessee Teen USA, Miss Tennessee America, and Miss Tennessee USA, she made history as the only woman to represent the state in all three national pageants. A longtime CMT host and red-carpet correspondent, she also serves on boards for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and St. Jude. Allison and her husband, Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, live in Nashville with their two children.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Lee Marshall
Lee Marshall is the Founder and CEO of Kids to Love, a nonprofit dedicated to meeting the needs of foster children and families. Inspired by her own adoption story, Lee launched the organization in 2004 and has since impacted more than 320,000 lives through education, housing and mental health programs. A three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and Harvard Business School alumna, she’s most proud of her roles as wife to Jeff and mother to daughters Ella and Emma.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]
Includes:
- Business sponsorship
- 2 bottles of wine
- 4 VIP Discovery Park tickets per guest
- Prime table location
Purchase Diamond Tables[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]
Includes:
- 1 bottle of wine
- 2 VIP Discovery Park passes per guest
Purchase Ruby Tables[/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″]
Purchase Individual Tickets[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
Interested in being a sponsor of the 2025 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala?
This year, a $ 2,000 sponsorship includes:
- Logo or business name recognized on signage at the entrance
- Verbal mention from the master of ceremonies
[/vc_column_text]Sponsor the 2026 Discovery Awards Gala[vc_column_text]For more about the awards and gala, contact Bethany Brock at bbrock@discoveryparkofamerica.com or 731-414-9855.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Book a Hotel
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites
810 Bream Blvd., Union City, TN 38261
(731) 599-7990
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Sleep Inn & Suites at Discovery Park of America
1111 Blue Heron Lane, Building A, Union City, TN, 38261
731-599-7272
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Mainstay Suites
1111 Blue Heron Lane, Building B, Union City, TN, 38261
731-599-7272
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Click here to watch the video from last year’s Discovery Awards Gala.
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[vc_column_text]For more photos from the 2025 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Awards Gala, click here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column]