2027 Business & Industry Award Questionaire

BEFORE YOU CHOOSE A CATEGORY PLEASE READ THE BELOW DEFINITIONS

 

Connection & Community: Recognizes organizations that bring people together through shared interests, professional connections, activities, or personal growth. Eligible businesses include sports clubs, academies, business networking groups, and other membership-based organizations that foster connection, participation, and community.

 

Financial & Insurance: Businesses primarily providing financial, accounting, lending, banking, investment, insurance, title, or related financial services. This includes banks, credit unions, accounting firms, financial advisors, wealth management firms, mortgage and lending companies, insurance agencies, and title companies.

 

Food & Beverage: Businesses primarily involved in preparing, serving, producing, or selling food and beverages. This includes restaurants, cafés, bakeries, caterers, food trucks, breweries, specialty food producers, and similar businesses.

 

Medical Services: Businesses primarily providing healthcare, wellness, medical treatment, patient care, or veterinary care. This includes physicians and medical practices, hospitals, urgent care, dental and vision care, chiropractic and therapy practices, behavioral health providers, home healthcare, assisted living and senior care, rehabilitation facilities, diagnostic services, medical suppliers, veterinarians, and animal hospitals.

 

Non-Profit: Independent nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is charitable, educational, cultural, civic, humanitarian, community service, or mission-driven work. This includes foundations, charities, service organizations, youth organizations, cultural organizations, community groups, and other qualifying nonprofit entities.

 

Non-Profit Subsidized: Governmental, public, educational, or publicly supported organizations that serve the community but are better distinguished from independently operated nonprofit organizations. This includes government agencies and departments, public schools and colleges, law enforcement and public safety organizations, public authorities, and other taxpayer-funded or substantially publicly supported entities.

 

Professional Services: Businesses primarily providing specialized knowledge, expertise, advice, or professional services to individuals or other businesses. This includes attorneys, real estate professionals, consultants, technology and telecommunications providers, staffing and HR services, business advisors, and other professional service firms.
Note: Advertising, promotional, printing, photography, event, and related businesses should generally be placed in Promotions/Advertising/Events.

 

Promtions/Advertising/Events: Businesses primarily helping other organizations promote their brand, reach an audience, host events, or produce marketing and promotional materials. This includes promotional products, printing, signage, branded apparel, graphic design, advertising and marketing services, photography and videography, media, publications, event venues, event planning, rentals, networking organizations, and similar promotional or event-focused businesses.

 

Retail: Businesses primarily selling physical products or merchandise directly to consumers from a storefront, showroom, or retail operation. This includes boutiques, furniture and home décor stores, specialty retailers, sporting goods, jewelry, gifts, and other consumer retail establishments. Businesses whose primary activity is providing a service rather than selling merchandise should generally be placed in another category.

 

Trades/Services/Manufacturing: Businesses primarily involved in skilled trades, construction, repair, maintenance, manufacturing, production, transportation, personal services, or other hands-on services. This includes contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC companies, roofers, builders, manufacturers, cleaning companies, pest control, automotive businesses, moving companies, salons, recreation/instruction businesses, and similar service-based operations.