2026 Annual Awards Celebration Nominations

  • 2026 Annual Awards Nominations

    Help us recognize and celebrate the standout businesses and organizations that make our community thrive! Each award has custom questions to complete based on its specific criteria.

  • Nomination Guidelines

    • Nominations are open to current West Coast Chamber members who have not previously won in the selected category.
    • See previous winners here.
    • Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged!
    • You may also nominate other Chamber members for any applicable award(s). 
    • Deadline to submit: Friday, July 3 at 5:00 pm.
    • Award recipients will be notified by July 13. 
    • Winners must be available to accept their award on September 24 at the Annual Awards Celebration. 
  • Award Categories for Businesses / Organizations
    Excellence Honors an organization excelling across the different dimensions of their work.
    Impact Honors an organization going above and beyond in all that they do for our community.
    Inspire Honors an organization with an inspiring story of perseverance, transformation, or meaningful change. 
    Innovation Honors an organization redefining what’s possible through Innovation.

     

    Award Categories for Individuals
    Icon Honors an individual creating bold pathways for our community.
    YP of the Year Honors an individual Young Professional making meaningful impact early on in their career.
    • Excellence Award Nominations 

    • Excellence Award

      This award honors a business or organization that is excelling across every dimension of their work. Nominees should be recognized as leaders in their field and demonstrate strength, innovation, and sustainability in their operations.

      A qualifying nominee will exhibit:

      • A positive and empowering organizational culture
      • A reputation as a leader within their industry
      • A strong financial foundation
      • A proven track record of success
      • A sustainable business model for long-term impact
    • End Section 
    • Impact Award Nominations 

    • Impact Award

      This award honors a business or organization that has gone above and beyond in the past year to create tangible, meaningful change in the community.

      Nominees may:

      • Make community impact central to their mission, values, or culture
      • Demonstrate a commitment to the community beyond core business functions
      • Empower employee engagement through volunteerism or financial support
      • Actively foster a diverse, inclusive, and balanced community
      • Contribute uniquely to the Holland/Zeeland area
      • Make a sustainable and measurable difference
    • End Section 
    • Inspire Award Nominations 

    • Inspire Award

      This award honors a business or organization with an inspiring story of perseverance, transformation, or meaningful progress.

      Nominees may:

      • Be growing or evolving in a notable way
      • Be an underdog who has overcome significant challenges
      • Be creating far-reaching impact
      • Be investing in a better future
      • Be disrupting their industry with bold ideas
    • End Section 
    • Innovation Award Nominations 

    • Innovation Award

      This award honors a business or organization that is redefining what’s possible through innovation.

      Nominees may:

      • Embrace risk and challenge the status quo
      • Develop brekathrough products, services, or processes
      • Demonstrate a bold, forward-thinking approach
      • Set a new standard within their industry
    • End Section 
    • Icon Award Nominations 

    • Icon Award

      This award honors an individual who is creating bold pathways for the future of our community. This person is a visionary leader who challenges the status quo and invests in lasting impact.

      Nominees may:

      • Be recognized as a leader within their industry
      • Contribute uniquely to the Holland/Zeeland area
      • Embrace risk and reject the status quo
      • Make long-term investments that benefit the broader community
    • End Section 
    • YP of the Year Award Nominations 

    • YP of the Year Award    *NEW!

      The YP of the Year Award recognizes an individual young professional (roughly 35 & under) who is making a meaningful impact early in their career — through leadership, innovation, and a commitment to community.

      This award celebrates individuals who are not waiting for a title or permission to lead. Instead, they are actively shaping culture, strengthening connections, and contributing to the success of their organization and the broader Lakeshore community. A qualifying nominee will exhibit:

      • Leadership in action, demonstrated through initiative, influence, and growth — regardless of title
      • A strong reputation among peers, as someone who shows up, collaborates, and leads with integrity
      • Professional momentum and accountability, contributing meaningfully to their organization or field
      • A commitment to long-term growth and community impact 
      • A track record of impact, shown through measurable results, community involvement, or project leadership
    • End Section 
  • Should be Empty: