Call for Nominations
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  • Call for Nominations

    Nominations Open: March 10, 2026 | Nominations Close: April 10, 2026

  • The Selection Process

    1. The nominations for the twenty-eighth Annual Awards of Excellence open Tuesday, March 10, 2026. A nomination form is included in this package.

    2. Each award category has specific eligibility criteria. Nominees will be contacted and asked to submit a description of the business being nominated, and answer award criteria questions.

    3. Nominations will close at 5:00pm on Friday, April 10, 2026.

    4. The Selection Committee consists of three Past Chamber Presidents, the current President and Vice President, our Platinum Sponsors, past award winners, and business community members. They will review all submissions independently, and then as a group evaluate them using the eligibility criteria.

    5. Recipients will be selected based upon who best adheres to the eligibility criteria and the overall goals of recognizing business excellence. Those who are not finalists can qualify for future nominations.

    6. The decision of the Selection Committee will remain confidential until the evening of the 2026 Business Awards of Excellence held on Thursday, September 24, 2026 where each award recipient will be publicly announced.

    7. The decisions of the Selection Committee of the Business Awards of Excellence are final, completely independent and without any form of external influence.

  • 1. Select the Award

    Please select an award to review the eligibility criteria and to submit your nomination.

  • BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AWARD | One Award

    Elegibility Criteria:

    The award recipient will be a manufacturing, commercial, retail, service or not-for-profit business that has demonstrated one or more of the following:

    • Implemented an operational improvement that has resulted in increased efficiency and reduced costs.
    • A focus on continuous improvement as evidenced by investment in training, implementation of best practices, investment in new technology, etc.

    The award recipient is defined as a company that has been operating for more than two years.

  • COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD | One Award

    Eligibility Criteria:

    The award recipient will be a business that fosters a team approach to community involvement/service through one or more of the following:

    • Direct contribution of personnel or tangible assets such as vehicles, computers, etc.
    • The development of a new community asset that enhances the quality of life for the entire community or a specific sector of the community.
    • Providing financial assistance towards community-oriented education, cultural and sports activities as well as environmental protection/enhancement projects.
    • Greater weight will be given to unique or innovative initiatives.

    The award recipient is defined as a company that has been operating for more than two years and whose primary business is not community service.

  • EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD (An Employee Choice Award) | One Award

    This Award must be nominated by the company’s employees.

    This award will be given to a company that demonstrates exceptional commitment to its employees through job creation, training & support programs, morale initiatives, recognition & reward programs, employee health & wellness, and professional & personal development.

     

    Employees: this is your chance to tell the community about the positive work environment your employer has created.

    In a minimum of 300 words, (paragraph or point form) describe:

    • How your employer has made your workplace an exceptional place to be employed
    • Some of the innovative ways your employer supports its employees and works to facilitate their growth and development.
    • How the culture at your workplace encourages employees to be respected and engaged
    • How your workplace culture reflects the importance of work/life balance
    • Any other examples of what makes your employer exceptional.

    Submission examples: Letters from multiple employees describing the above; and / or letters that are signed by more than one employee.

  • ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR | One Award

    Definition of Entrepreneur: A person or team who organizes and manages a business, often with considerable initiative and risk. Characteristics of an entrepreneur: Passionate, competitive, goal-oriented, disciplined, organized, driven, energetic, positive, self-reliant, etc.

    The award recipient will be an individual or team that has created or enhanced a product or service and accomplished one or more of the following:

    • Development or enhancement of a product or service that is unique.
    • The product or service has achieved a high level of success resulting in business growth as demonstrated by increased revenue, employment, etc.
    • The product or service may be an expansion of an existing market segment or an entirely new product for the domestic and/or export markets.

    The award recipient will be an individual or team that has been operating for more than two years.

  • ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARD | One Award

    The Environmental Sustainability Award will be given to a business whose activities enhance or protect the environment while meeting commercial demands. The business should demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability through meeting one or more of the following:

    • Manufactures, markets, farms, or implements an innovative green product or technology in a sustainable manner.
    • Represents a new action, innovation, or evolution of a ‘greening’ initiative.
    • Demonstrates a commitment to future growth and development of green technology.
    • Demonstrates that practices and processes will be increasingly sustainable in the future.
    • The achievement or specifically planned achievement of measurable results (e.g., reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of ## tonnes CO2 equivalent).
    • Demonstrates that practices and processes contribute to the reduction of carbon footprint.
    • Educates their employees and customers on the advantages of adopting green products/technology. 

    Some examples businesses can consider would be actions related to greenhouse gas mitigation or adaptation, energy management or conservation, water or wastewater conservation or reuse, waste conservation/management, environmentally friendly agricultural practices, food security, transportation demand management, or overall climate change.

    The award recipient will be an individual or company that has been operating for more than two years.

  • POSITIVE CHANGE AWARD (A MADE IN TILLSONBURG STORY) | One Award

    This award was developed in memory of Jane & Phil Esseltine and will be given to an individual who has significantly contributed to the betterment of Tillsonburg as demonstrated by their creativity, community involvement and spirit. This individual will be a “Made in Tillsonburg” story and be between the ages of 19 – 35 (inclusive) as of December 31, 2026.

    The award recipient will be a business owner (or working for a company or non-profit organization) and will be selected using the following criteria:

    • Community Involvement through one or more of the following: Education, Health, Sports, Arts, Town Committees
    • Philanthropic
    • Dedicated to Positive Change
    • Enthusiastic
    • Dedicated
    • Entrepreneurial Spirit
    • Growth Oriented
    • Innovative/Visionary

  • 2. Nominee information

    Please type the name of the business or person you would like to nominate

  • 3. Reason for nomination

    Please explain why you believe this person or business deserves to be nominated for this award.
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  • 4. Other Awards categories

  • 5. Your information

    Please type your name and email
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