Categories
Alf Bennie Award 2024
Description
Named after our first President of the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce, the Alf Bennie Award recognizes an individual in the community who has made a difference either through volunteering or community involvement. The recipient of this award has made a difference in the community. Sometimes these differences are planned actions, and other times they are spontaneous actions. Either way, the award winner has contributed through their deeds or actions and has affected the lives of the people they have come in contact with.
Requirements
- Nominees must be from the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must have an excellent reputation in our community.
- Please share the various volunteer or community efforts the nominee has been part of.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Explanation of the nominee's worthiness for the award | 100.0% |
Collaboration is Key (Partnership & Community) 2024 *NEW*
Description
This award recognizes the vital importance of working together to boost our economy and wider community. This award will be given to a business that has consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment to community, and/or created unique partnerships in the business community. The successful nominee gives back through volunteering or other means of contribution to the community, and/or consistently collaborates with other businesses and organizations.
Requirements
- Nominees must have an active business in Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must answer all questions listed.
- Nominees must approve and accept the nomination and submit information.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Community Involvement | 100.0% |
Customer First 2024
Description
Retail and Service Sectors-Candidates for this category can be independent business owners or franchise owners who have demonstrated a significant commitment to positive business development in a retail business or service-related operation. These include creative marketing, sales, client service, human resources, etc., and are viewed by peers as being a leader in business excellence.
Requirements
- Nominees must have a business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for the business.
- Nominees must consistently demonstrate congeniality and helpfulness to customers and clients.
- Nominees must have an excellent reputation with customers and the business community.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Business details | 20.0% |
| Quality of Customer Satisfaction | 40.0% |
| Business expansion | 40.0% |
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2024
Description
The finalists in this category have demonstrated exceptional diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplace, including leadership in hiring and retaining newcomers, people with visible and non-visible disabilities and visible minorities, and have given them the necessary training, wages and support to successfully transition to the workforce. The criteria to select a finalist also includes how they have helped individuals and their families in other ways – outside the workplace – to integrate into the community.
Requirements
- Nominees must have a business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate a commitment through their actions and attitudes encouraging the inclusion of all people.
- Nominees must demonstrate leadership in creating and welcoming an inclusive community through volunteer or employment opportunities.
- Nominees must show active involvement in the community.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate a commitment through their actions and attitudes encouraging the inclusion of all people. | 25.0% |
| Demonstrate leadership in creating and welcoming an accessible community through volunteer or employment opportunities. | 25.0% |
| Has an excellent reputation with customers and the business community. | 25.0% |
| Active involvement in the community. | 25.0% |
Environmental Sustainability 2024 *NEW*
Description
Leamington District business owners understand that while growth and profitability are the keys to success, they must also do their part to protect the environment and consider broader society in how they manage their operations. Many local leaders are increasing their focus on climate and environmental sustainability by making conscious choices in all facets of their business — for the betterment of Leamington Area businesses and beyond.
Requirements
- Nominees must have their business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate their part in protecting the environment in how they manage their operations.
- Nominees must show ongoing efforts to improve climate and environmental sustainability.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Extent and quality of skills development opportunities. | 25.0% |
| Achievements of the organization or individual, which may be attributed to training. | 25.0% |
| Participation in career development activities (co-op, mentorships, apprenticeships, etc.). | 25.0% |
| Exceptional commitment to equity and diversity in the workplace. | 25.0% |
Excellence in Food Service 2024
Description
Candidates for this category can be independent business owners, franchise owners, or organizations that provide catering and meals and have demonstrated excellence in food services. These businesses cater to their customers and aid in promoting other businesses within our area.
Requirements
- Nominees must have their business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate excellent customer service.
- Nominees must demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for the business.
- Nominees must have an excellent reputation with customers and the business community.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Business Information | 20.0% |
| Quality of Customer Service | 40.0% |
| Business Growth | 40.0% |
Grow South Essex 2024
Description
The South Essex area boasts many businesses ranging from greenhouse operations to vineyards to field farming to flowers to fishing. Many of the products produced in this area are distributed throughout Canada, exported to the United States and beyond. These local businesses deserve to be recognized for the innovative approach to the local industry.
Requirements
- Nominees must have an active business in Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate research and development, new varieties, growing or processing techniques.
- Nominees must have food safety and security programs in place.
- Nominees must have marketing and/or merchandising programs.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Research and development, new varieties, growing or processing techniques. | 33.0% |
| Food safety and security programs in place. | 33.0% |
| Marketing and/or merchandising programs. | 34.0% |
Hospitality & Tourism 2024
Description
The nominee will be a business that has demonstrated excellence in the areas of hospitality and tourism and has played a vital role in the growth of its sector. The business should demonstrate the critical success factors that have played a role in its success including employee relations, economic development/investment, business growth, and contributions to the community. This local business goes above and beyond providing extraordinary customer service and recognizes the importance of hospitality in the area as well as serving the community. Examples include wineries, restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, golf courses, etc.
Requirements
- Nominees must have their business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate enthusiasm for promoting Leamington & surrounding area.
- Nominees must consistently demonstrate congeniality and helpfulness to tourists.
- Nominees must demonstrate congeniality and helpfulness to tourists.
- Nominee has gone above and beyond the realm of their own business to assist tourists.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Business details | 20.0% |
| Quality of Customer Service | 80.0% |
Industrial/Manufacturing Excellence 2024
Description
Leamington and surrounding area boast several leading industries. Many of them enjoy global recognition and respect. They provide employment, stability and an enhanced quality of life for many Leamington and area residents.
Requirements
- Nominees must have an active business in Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must show commitment to product development and quality.
- Nominees must show expanding market base.
- Nominees must show environmental commitment.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Commitment to product development and quality. | 33.0% |
| Expanding market base. | 33.0% |
| Environmental commitment. | 34.0% |
INNOVATE | HER (Women in Business) 2024 *NEW*
Description
This award recognizes the achievements and contributions of women leaders in our community. This award will be given to a woman-led business that has demonstrated innovation, determination, and commitment to community. The successful nominee exhibits a strong commitment to supporting and empowering other women leaders in their pursuit of excellence in Leamington and surrounding business community.
Requirements
- Nominees must have their business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for the business.
- Nominees must consistently demonstrate congeniality and helpfulness to customers and clients.
- Nominees must have an excellent reputation with customers and the business community.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Business details | 20.0% |
| Quality of Customer Satisfaction | 40.0% |
| Business expansion | 40.0% |
Innovation 2024
Description
Entrepreneur of Any Age -without imagination and a willingness to take risks, many of the innovative products and valuable services in today's marketplace would not exist. These finalists have created a new and unique business concept or have applied innovative improvements to existing processes, products, or services. The entrepreneur takes a vision and turns it into a profitable reality. This award recognizes someone from the community who exemplifies the qualities of the business visionary.
Requirements
- Nominees must have an active business in Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must demonstrate leadership, daring and creativity.
- Nominees must show steady revenue growth.
- Nominees must demonstrate unique marketing concept(s).
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Demonstrates leadership, daring and creativity. | 25.0% |
| Steady revenue growth. | 25.0% |
| Demonstrates personal and financial commitment. | 25.0% |
| Unique marketing concept. | 25.0% |
Positive Professional 2024
Description
Professional Sector – Candidates for this category include lawyers, doctors, accountants, etc. that operate their business by promoting their business with a passion and positive community mindset.
Requirements
- Nominees must have their business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must display exceptional professional and ethical qualities.
- Nominees must demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for their business.
- Nominees must consistently demonstrate congeniality and helpfulness to customers.
- Nominees must have an excellent reputation with customers and the business community.
- Nominees must have active involvement in the community.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Displays exceptional professional and ethical qualities | 20.0% |
| Demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm for the business | 20.0% |
| Consistently demonstrates congeniality and helpfulness to customers | 20.0% |
| Has an excellent reputation with customers and the business community | 20.0% |
| Active involvement in the community | 20.0% |
Small Business Excellence 1-9 2024
Description
The small business sector encompasses a variety of businesses that make up our community. In recognition of a small business showing excellence in some or all of the following categories: new or innovative product or service, quality of merchandise.
Requirements
- Nominees must have an active business in the Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must have 9 or less employees at time of nomination.
- Nominees have good reputation withing the business community.
- Nominees have commitment to community service.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Reputation within the business community. | 22.0% |
| Commitment to community service. | 22.0% |
| Business details | 12.0% |
| Customer Service/Quality | 22.0% |
| Business growth | 22.0% |
Small Business Excellence 10 -50 2024 ?Scotiabank
Description
The small business sector encompasses a variety of businesses that make up our communities. In recognition of a small business showing excellence in some or all of the following categories: new or innovative product or service, quality of merchandise/customer service, job creation, growth potential, market served and community involvement.
Requirements
- Nominees must have an active business in Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must have 10-50 employees at time of nomination.
- Nominees have good reputation within the business community.
- Nominees have commitment to community service.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Reputation within the business community. | 30.0% |
| Commitment to community service. | 30.0% |
| Business details | 10.0% |
| Business growth | 30.0% |
Young Professional of the Year 2024
Description
The nominee will be a young professional/entrepreneur who is ‘on the rise'. Nominees will be 35 years of age and under at the time of nomination and will demonstrate a proven commitment to our community through outstanding scholarship, achievements, and community involvement. The recipient must demonstrate innovative thinking, exemplary leadership qualities, commitment to making a difference, ability to engage and inspire others, and must act as a positive role model to his/her peers and colleagues. In addition, the nominee will demonstrate significant growth potential as a future leader in our communities.
Requirements
- Nominees must own or be an employee of an active business in Leamington district or surrounding area.
- Nominees must be 35 years of age or younger at time of nomination.
- Nominees must answer all questions listed.
- Nominees must approve and accept the nomination and submit information.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Community Involvement | 100.0% |
