DIVERSITY AWARD
Description
The Diversity Award recognizes a business or organization that embraces, celebrates and applies inclusion and participation of a diverse people making the workplace a better environment in which to work, and the community a better place in which to live and raise a family.
Requirements
A Chatham-Kent business or organization.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your organization's approach to diversity and inclusion. | 20.0% |
| 2. Provide examples of how you celebrate and encourage participation from diverse groups. | 20.0% |
| 3. Explain the impact of your diversity and inclusion efforts. | 20.0% |
| 4. Share how you gather feedback and continuously improve your diversity | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents. | 20.0% |
INNOVATION AWARD
Description
The Innovation Award recognizes a business that has successfully incorporated a new idea, device or method or has utilized the application of better solutions to meet new requirements, internal needs or market needs.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe the new idea, device, method, or improved solution your business has implemented. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain the process of developing and executing this innovation. | 20.0% |
| 3. Detail the measurable impact of your innovation. | 20.0% |
| 4. Share how your business fosters a culture of ongoing innovation. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
NEW BUSINESS AWARD
Description
This award recognizes a business that has been in operation for no less than 1 year and no more than 3 years and has demonstrated strong potential by way of growth, innovation, and has positioned itself to achieve similar successes in the future.
Requirements
Been in operation for no less than 1 year and no more than 3 years
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your business and its unique value proposition. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how your business has demonstrated growth since its inception. | 20.0% |
| 3. Share how innovation has contributed to your business success. | 20.0% |
| 4. Outline your plans and potential for future success. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Description
This award recognizes an organization that has taken actionable, overt steps to be part of the sustainable solution by setting criteria to evaluate their organization's commitment to sustainable operations by measuring environmental impact and mitigating future environmental risks.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe the specific steps your organization has taken to integrate sustainability into its operations. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how your organization measures and evaluates its environmental impact. | 20.0% |
| 3. Share how your organization identifies and mitigates future environmental risks. | 20.0% |
| 4. Provide examples of how your sustainability initiatives have influenced your organization and the broader community. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
NEWCOMER ENTREPRENEUR
Description
To celebrate a Chatham-Kent business established within the past three years by a newcomer to Canada, recognizing resilience, innovation, and community impact.
Requirements
To celebrate a Chatham-Kent business established within the past three years by a newcomer to Canada, recognizing resilience, innovation, and community impact.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. What challenges did you face in starting your business in a new country, and what steps did you take to overcome them? | 20.0% |
| 2. How does your business offer something new, different, or improved — whether in products, services, or how you do business? | 20.0% |
| 3. How does your business help make the Chatham-Kent community stronger. (local partnerships, hiring, diversity, involvement in a welcoming community)? | 20.0% |
| 4. What is your vision for the future of your business? | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. | 20.0% |
ATHENA LEADERSHIP AWARD
Description
This award celebrates the potential of women as valued members and leaders of the community and recognizes those who support them. The ATHENA Leadership Award honours individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment The women and men who excel in their chosen field have devoted time and energy to their community in meaningful ways and who also open paths so that others may follow. ATHENA recipients must meet each of these three specific criteria. They must a) Assist women in reaching their full potential, b) Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession and c) provide valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Explain how you demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in agriculture. | 20.0% |
| 2. Detail your contributions to improving the quality of life for others in your community. | 20.0% |
| 3. Detail your contributions to improving the quality of life for others in your community. | 20.0% |
| 4. Share how you embody ATHENA Leadership Principles such as authentic self, learning, collaboration, courage, and celebration. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Description
A Chatham-Kent entrepreneur who has successfully built a unique venture of commercial products or service and has been established for minimum of 5 years.
Requirements
Been established for minimum of 5 years in Chatham Kent
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your business venture. | 20.0% |
| 2. Demonstrate business growth and sustainability. | 20.0% |
| 3. Share your impact on the community. | 20.0% |
| 4. Highlight your leadership and vision. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents. | 20.0% |
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AWARD
Description
The recipient of this award contributes to the well-being of the community as a whole through initiatives such as sourcing products and/or services, retailing or utilizing Chatham-Kent products, creating local employment growth and supporting the community through charitable activities or capital investment.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe how your business sources, retails, or utilizes Chatham-Kent products and services. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain your efforts to create local employment growth. | 20.0% |
| 3. Share examples of your business's involvement in charitable activities or community support initiatives. | 20.0% |
| 4. Detail any capital investments your business has made that benefit the Chatham-Kent community. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
SAFE WORK, SOUND BUSINESS AWARD
Description
The Safe Work, Sound Business Award recognizes a business that uses a safe work management system, participates in workplace and / or community injury prevention programs and has exceptionally good injury frequency and injury severity performance.
Requirements
The Safe Work, Sound Business Award recognizes a business that uses a safe work management system, participates in workplace and / or community injury prevention programs and has exceptionally good injury frequency and injury severity performance.
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Description
This recognizes a business that is invested in the downtown business community and contributes to a downtown of Chatham-Kent. This award honors their commitment to running a business in the heart of our communities and their role in creating a vibrant downtown.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your business and its role in your downtown community. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain your commitment to investing in the downtown. | 20.0% |
| 3. Share examples of community engagement. | 20.0% |
| 4. Highlight the impact of your business on downtown life. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
CUSTOMER FIRST AWARD – BUSINESS
Description
The Customer First Award recognizes a Business who continuously raises customer service to new standards of excellence and is a role model for others in customer service.
Requirements
Business
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe how your business consistently raises the standard of customer service. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how you create and maintain a customer-centric culture throughout your organization. | 20.0% |
| 3. Provide examples of how your business gathers and acts on customer feedback. | 20.0% |
| 4. In what ways does your business serve as a role model for customer service in the community? | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Description
To recognize a business which is operating, or being managed, with a minimum of 51% ownership by an Indigenous person or group. The business has distinguished itself by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy and consumer excellence, while showing leadership and dedication to the preservation of culture, values and identity.
Requirements
Minimum of 51% ownership by an Indigenous person or group.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your business and ownership structure. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how your business fosters growth and innovation. | 20.0% |
| 3. Detail your marketing strategy and commitment to consumer excellence. | 20.0% |
| 4. Describe your leadership in preserving Indigenous culture, values, and identity. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
NON-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Description
Recognizes and rewards excellence and innovation among non-profit organizations resulting in significant social impact within Chatham-Kent.
Requirements
Not for Profit or Charitable Organization servicing Chatha-Kent
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your organization's mission and the primary programs or services you deliver in Chatham-Kent. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how your organization demonstrates excellence and innovation. | 20.0% |
| 3. Provide evidence of your organization's social impact. | 20.0% |
| 4. Describe your approach to engaging stakeholders and ensuring sustainability. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
CUSTOMER FIRST AWARD – INDIVIDUAL
Description
The Customer First Award recognizes an individual who continuously raises customer service to new standards of excellence and is a role model for others in customer service.
Requirements
Individual
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe how you consistently exceed customer expectations in your role. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how you demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and a positive attitude when interacting with customers. | 20.0% |
| 3. How do you gather and use customer feedback to improve service quality? | 20.0% |
| 4. In what ways do you serve as a role model for customer service within your organization or community? | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Large (76 + employees)
Description
The Business of the Year Award recognizes a business that have distinguished themselves by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy and consumer service excellence in their sectors.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe how your business has demonstrated significant growth in recent years. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how your business fosters innovation within your sector. | 20.0% |
| 3. Detail your marketing strategy and its impact on your business success. | 20.0% |
| 4. Provide examples of how your business delivers service excellence and sets new standards for customer satisfaction. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Small (1-25 employees)
Description
The Business of the Year Award recognizes a business that have distinguished themselves by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy and consumer service excellence in their sectors.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe how your business has demonstrated significant growth in recent years. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how your business fosters innovation within your sector. | 20.0% |
| 3. Detail your marketing strategy and its impact on your business success. | 20.0% |
| 4. Provide examples of how your business delivers service excellence and sets new standards for customer satisfaction. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Medium (26-75 employees)
Description
The Business of the Year Award recognizes a business that have distinguished themselves by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy and consumer service excellence in their sectors.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe how your business has demonstrated significant growth in recent years. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how your business fosters innovation within your sector. | 20.0% |
| 3. Detail your marketing strategy and its impact on your business success. | 20.0% |
| 4. Provide examples of how your business delivers service excellence and sets new standards for customer satisfaction. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents | 20.0% |
RISING STAR (formerly Young Entrepreneur of The Year)
Description
A Chatham-Kent entrepreneur, of 19 to 40 years of age, who has successfully built a unique venture that has been established for 1 year and no more than 3 years. They have demonstrated a culture of risk-taking and trailblazing through new or innovative products or services.
Requirements
Chatham-Kent entrepreneur, of 19 to 40 years of age
1 year and no more than 3 years.
Must answer the following four questions
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your venture | 20.0% |
| 2. Share your journey. | 20.0% |
| 3. Demonstrate innovation and risk-taking. | 20.0% |
| 4. Describe your impact and vision. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents. | 20.0% |
FUTUREPRENEUR (formerly Youth Entrepreneur of The Year)
Description
A Chatham-Kent youth, of 18 years of age or under, that possesses a proven entrepreneurial mindset through employment, volunteer or self-initiated efforts.
Requirements
Nominees must answer the following questions. Each response will be scored out of 10 by the judging panel.
Must be 18 years of age or under.
Must be a citizen of Chatha-Kent
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneurial Initiative | 20.0% |
| Entrepreneurial Mindset. | 20.0% |
| Efforts | 20.0% |
| Future Goals | 20.0% |
| Additional Comments & Documents | 20.0% |
VISIONARY AWARD (formerly Business Individual Of The Year)
Description
To recognize an individual that have demonstrated exceptional foresight, innovation, and leadership in their business, place of work or community by envisioning and implementing groundbreaking ideas, strategies, or technologies to shape the future of their business or community.
Requirements
Be an individual residing, working or leading an organization in Chatham-Kent.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe a groundbreaking idea, strategy, or technology you have envisioned and implemented. | 20.0% |
| 2. Explain how you demonstrated exceptional foresight and innovation. | 20.0% |
| 3. Detail the impact of your leadership. | 20.0% |
| 4. Share your ongoing commitment to visionary leadership. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents. | 20.0% |
EMERGING LEADER (formerly Young Business Individual of T heYear)
Description
A Chatham-Kent person, of 19 to 40 years of age, who has a minimum of 2 years of experience in their current career field and has demonstrated leadership or innovation within their employment field or community.
Requirements
A Chatham-Kent person, of 19 to 40 years of age.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in their current career field.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe your career journey. | 20.0% |
| 2. Demonstrate your leadership. | 20.0% |
| 3. Showcase your innovation. | 20.0% |
| 4. Explain your broader impact. | 20.0% |
| 5. Add any additional comments in support of your nomination. Upload any supporting documents. | 20.0% |
