Don Quijote, a timeless image of humanity, is often viewed as an example of modern times; an individual personality of extraordinary imagination, defiant of the role society has assigned him.

The Don Quijote award celebrates the strength of character, the conviction, the virtues and the dreams of this beloved character of Spanish literature. Born from the desire to recognize these characteristics in Hispanic entrepreneurs, the Don Quijote Awards are bestowed upon businessmen and women whose efforts have translated into success, at a ceremony that has become the premiere event of the Hispanic community of Central Florida.

The first Don Quijote Award was presented in 1998, under the categories of Professional of the Year, Small Business of the Year Less Than 3 Years, Small Business of the Year More Than 3 Years, and Entrepreneur of the Year. In subsequent years, the awards went on to include not only professionals and entrepreneurs in the business world, but also in legal and educational fields as separate categories. In 2002, these categories were combined with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award as the Excellence Award . This award is presented to a professional or business person who has demonstrated extraordinary abilities in his or her field of work and who has exhibited the Spirit of Don Quijote a visionary, a dreamer and willing to take risks to achieve those dreams.