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  • 2025 Business Excellence Awards

    CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

    COMPANY & INDIVIDUAL NOMINATION DEADLINE:

    Friday, October 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm

     

    ATHENA & BELIEVE WINDSOR-ESSEX DEADLINE:

    Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11:59 pm

     

  • AWARD CATEGORIES

     

    • ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 
      • An individual who is an owner of at least one venture, which has existed for five years or more
      • Must have made a recent (within two years) outstanding contribution to their local economy and the entrepreneurial spirit of the community
      • Nominees will have at least ten years of related experience
      • They will demonstrate growth in the way of innovation, sales, employment creation and acceptance in the market
    • INNOVATION AWARD 
      • A business that exemplifies leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices
      • Nominees will have measurable initiatives that demonstrate adapting and improvising operations to allow for long-term success
      • Reduces environmental impact, improving efficiencies with technology
      • Shows a commitment to research and development in their industry
      • Adds noteworthy employment opportunities to our community and/or creating corporate culture
    • TOURISM & HOSPITALITY AWARD 
      • Recognizes a business that has become a destination for the Windsor Essex area
      • An ambassador that plays a vital role in the growth of their sector allowing others in their industry to also benefit from their success
      • Nominees provide amazing customer service and recognize the importance of hospitality in the area
      • Examples include wineries, restaurants, hotels, golf courses or other points of interest
    • BUSINESS AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR 
      • An individual who is an employee (NOT self-employed and not an owner) that is a proven leader and exceeds all expectations in their role within a business or organization
      • They improve company culture, promote growth and innovation in the workplace and have a vital role in the ongoing success of a business
      • They are a role model for their peers and the community
      • Examples would include municipality employees, directors of corporations and staff
    • PILLARS OF OUR COMMUNITY 
      • Recognizes a philanthropic organization, person or business that has made an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural or economical well-being of the Windsor Essex area
      • Nominees will positively affect the community and demonstrate best business practices
      • The objective of the organization will reflect a community need and has a clearly defined strategic plan
    • PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR 
      • An individual who is accredited in their profession and is 36 years of age or over that demonstrates excellence in their field of business and positively influences the community
      • They are leading the way in their profession with innovation and acceptance in the market
      • Examples include lawyers, accountants, consultants, health care professionals and non-profit leaders
    • YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR 
      • An individual who is accredited in their profession and is 35 years of age or under that demonstrates excellence in their field of business and positively influences the community
      • Nominees will have significant potential as a future leader showing signs of innovation and acceptance in the market
      • Examples include lawyers, accountants, consultants, health care professionals and non-profit leaders
    • NEW COMPANY OF THE YEAR 
      • A new venture that has been in business for a minimum of one year but no more than five years
      • Nominees will demonstrate their strategic goals
      • They will show how they accomplished these goals as well as a commitment to research and development of advances in the company’s industry sector
      • They will show forecasts of growth and employment creation
    • COMPANY OF THE YEAR (≤25 FTE) 
      • 25 or less full-time employees
      • Nominees will demonstrate their strategic goals
      • They will show how they accomplished these goals as well as a commitment to research and development of advances in the company’s industry sector
      • They will show forecasts of growth and employment creation

      Please note: 3 part time employees = 1 full time employee

    • COMPANY OF THE YEAR (≥26 FTE) 
      • 26 or more full time employees
      • Nominees will demonstrate their strategic goals
      • They will show how they accomplished these goals as well as a commitment to research and development of advances in the company’s industry sector
      • They will show forecasts of growth and employment creation

      Please note: 3 part time employees = 1 full time employee

    • ATHENA® LEADERSHIP AWARD 
      • It celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders in the community and recognizes an individual who supports those leaders
      • It honours an individual who strives toward the highest levels of professional and /or business accomplishments
      • It recognizes women and men who have devoted time and energy in their community in a meaningful way and opened paths so that other women may follow
      • Non-profit leaders are not eligible for this award

      *This award is judged by the ATHENA® Panel

    • BELIEVE WINDSOR-ESSEX AWARD 
      • Recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated a significant commitment to positive business development despite global market trends
      • The recipient has in place definite and precise goals that will result in diversity of our region
      • These goals will enhance the economic growth and satisfy both individual pursuit for advancement and the overall economic development of our community at large

      *This award is judged by the BEA Committee

    • NEXT SECTION 

    • ELIGIBILITY & PROCESS 

      Any individual can make nominations for any of the Business Excellence Award categories according to the criteria outlined above for each Award. The nominator should ensure the nominee would show a willingness to participate. Self-nominations are encouraged. Not-for-profit organizations or leaders are also eligible for the Pillars of Our Community Award, Business Ambassador of the Year, Professional of the Year, and Young Professional of the year, unless otherwise indicated.

      Previous Award winners are eligible for re-nomination under another category after a wait of three (3) years from the award date and under the same category after five (5) years from the award date. Chamber membership is not a requisite. The business or individual must be based in the Windsor Essex region.  Winners of former Company of the year will be eligible for company of the year after five (5) years.

      Upon receipt of the nomination, the nominee will be sent a long form to be completed and returned to the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. The nominee will be asked to provide information on how they meet each of the criteria. The long form will require some investment of time to complete, and all documents and information will be treated in confidence.

      Nominees may be disqualified if it is found by the Committee to contain exaggerated or falsified information or charged under any Canadian law. Also, we reserve the right to retract the Award.  The Committee may, at its discretion, place a nominee in an Award Category different from the one in which they were initially nominated.

      *****

      Two ad hoc volunteer judging panels, comprised of a mixed matrix of community members, will complete judging of the Nominees/Finalists in all eligible award categories. No member of the judging panel shall have direct familial or financial involvement with any of the Nominees/Finalists selected.

      The judging panel will complete its deliberations and Finalists will be selected based upon who best adheres to the eligibility criteria and the overall goals of recognizing business excellence. Judges may visit the Nominee at their place of business. The decisions of the Judges are final, completely independent and will remain confidential.

      Three Finalists will be selected in ten (10) of the Award categories. One winner of each of the Award categories will be announced at the Business Excellence Awards, Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. This evening will bring together Windsor and area business leaders for a celebration of Excellence in Business.

      The ATHENA Leadership Award recipient will be judged by the ATHENA Committee. The Believe Windsor-Essex Award will be judged by the BEA Committee. The recipients of these two awards will be announced at the BEA Media Conference in January 2025.

      Current members of the Chamber Board of Directors, Business Excellence Awards Committee, Judges and Staff are not eligible. Sponsors and their employees are eligible for nominations in any category other than the one they are sponsoring.

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