Award Categories
Every year, the Business Excellence Awards Gala is attended by over 900 members, including the area's most respected and recognized industry leaders. Organizations of every size are represented, from international companies to mom-and-pop shops. This year, fourteen awards will be presented throughout the course of the evening.
Awards (Not Open to Nominations)GROUP
Michael R. Follett Community Leader of the Year Award
Requirements
This award is presented to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated leadership in the development of the community by creating or facilitating significant solutions to meet community needs and inspiring others to achieve excellence.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Requirements
This award is presented to an outstanding individual who, in the past year, has demonstrated significant volunteer & event participation and has made exceptional contributions through their leadership, time, talent and energy to Chamber initiatives.
Awards (Open to Nominations)GROUP
New Business of the Year Award (<2 Years)
Requirements
Awarded to a business or startup that has:
• Been in operation for less than 2 years but more than 3 months, based on the nomination closing date (started operations sometime between October 31, 2020 – July 31, 2022)
• Demonstrated proactive and innovative leadership within their business or industry
• Demonstrated measurable success, growth, or promise as a business and/or as an employer
• Practiced good corporate citizenship and made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment as an employer.
Business of the Year Award (1-10 Employees)
Requirements
Awarded to an outstanding business or organization with 1-10 full-time employees that, in the past year, has:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Demonstrated innovative & proactive leadership within their business or industry
• Demonstrated measurable success as a business and/or as an employer
• Practiced good corporate citizenship
• Made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Innovative and Proactive Leadership (in their industry) | 16.0% |
| Measurable Success | 16.0% |
| Historical Growth | 16.0% |
| Demonstrated Good Corporate Citizenship | 16.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission and Goals | 16.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Business of the Year Award (11-50 Employees)
Requirements
Awarded to an outstanding business or organization with 11-50 full-time employees that, in the past year, has:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Demonstrated innovative & proactive leadership within their business or industry
• Demonstrated measurable success as a business and/or as an employer
• Practiced good corporate citizenship
• Made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Innovative and Proactive Leadership (in their industry) | 16.0% |
| Measurable Success | 16.0% |
| Historical Growth | 16.0% |
| Demonstrated Good Corporate Citizenship | 16.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission and Goals | 16.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Business of the Year Award (Over 50 Employees)
Requirements
Awarded to an outstanding business or organization with over 50 full-time employees that, in the past year, has:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Demonstrated innovative & proactive leadership within their business or industry
• Demonstrated measurable success as a business and/or as an employer
• Practiced good corporate citizenship
• Made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Innovative and Proactive Leadership (in their industry) | 16.0% |
| Measurable Success | 16.0% |
| Historical Growth | 16.0% |
| Demonstrated Good Corporate Citizenship | 16.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission and Goals | 16.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Community Builder of the Year Award
Requirements
Awarded to an outstanding business or organization that, in the past year, has:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Supported charitable or not-for-profit organizations on an on-going basis
• Demonstrated a willingness to make the community better
• Demonstrated a vision of a better community and has taken steps to make it happen
• Practiced good corporate citizenship
• Made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Support for charitable or not-for-profit organizations on an ongoing basis. | 16.0% |
| Contribution to the betterment of the community. | 16.0% |
| Promoting community betterment beyond the workplace. | 16.0% |
| Demonstrated good corporate citizenship in the past year. | 16.0% |
| The reason for continuing to work towards a better community. | 16.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Employee Engagement Award
Requirements
Awarded to a business or organization that has:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Provided training to improve the skills, knowledge, safety and/or performance of their workforce
• Reduced employment barriers and/or assists employees who are recent immigrants and/or employees with physical, communication or developmental challenges
• Increase productivity through innovative and creative programs or initiatives for their employees
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Uses training to improve the skills, knowledge, safety and/or performance of their workforce. | 20.0% |
| Reduced employment barriers and/or assists employees who are recent immigrants and/or employees with physical, communication or developmental challenges. | 20.0% |
| Innovative ways they increase productivity through creative programs or initiatives. | 20.0% |
| Supported the Chambers' Vision, Mission and Goals. | 20.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Environment & Sustainability Award
Requirements
Awarded to a business or organization that has:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Made an outstanding commitment to sustainable development
• Self-initiated environmental actions and programs beyond legislative requirements
• Found energy or waste efficiencies
• Provided environmental stewardship, education, or innovation in the past year
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Demonstrated an outstanding commitment to sustainable development. | 15.0% |
| Measurable success. | 15.0% |
| Efficiencies the business or organization implemented or expanded. | 15.0% |
| Demonstrated going beyond environmental actions or programs that are legally required | 15.0% |
| Actions or incentives to promote environmental awareness or achievements. | 15.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission and Goals. | 15.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 10.0% |
Health & Wellness in the Workplace Award
Requirements
Awarded to a business or organization that has achieved health and wellness in the workplace, mindful of the workplace as a determinant of health. The award recognizes employers that provide strategies, initiatives, policies and/or programs that promote, support, and enhance a healthy workplace and the efforts of workers to remain healthy at work and beyond:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Demonstrate leadership and innovation in workplace health and wellbeing with measures supporting both physical and mental health
• Provide exercise opportunities for employees while at work
• Promote awareness of a healthy lifestyle
• Protect employees through a safe physical environment
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Leadership and innovation in workplace health and well-being, with measures supporting both physical and mental health. | 20.0% |
| Exercise opportunities provided to employees. | 20.0% |
| Promote wellness in the workforce, and support work life balance. | 20.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission, and Goals. | 20.0% |
| Overall rating, based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Innovation Award
Requirements
Awarded to a business or organization that has been in operation for a minimum of one year, and has created, invented or developed an innovative product or process, that has resulted in significant and measurable increase in revenue or job creation; productivity or quality; reduction in costs; and/or improvements in service, in the following areas:
• New product(s)
•Technology
• Management
• Manufacturing processes
• Customer service
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Innovative product, service, technology or process developed. | 16.0% |
| Impact on increased revenue or job creation; productivity and/or quality; reduced costs; and/or improved service. | 16.0% |
| Supports and processes the company uses in promoting innovation in their workplace | 16.0% |
| Impact of this innovation on the company and/or industry. | 16.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission and Goals | 16.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Non-Profit/Charitable Award
Requirements
Awarded to an outstanding non-profit/charitable organization that has achieved excellence through:
• Demonstrated innovative and proactive leadership within the organization or non-profit sector
• Implemented initiatives that have resulted in significant and measurable outcomes benefiting the overall services of the organization
• Developed the skills, knowledge and performance of its organization and volunteers
• Has been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Services and accomplishments over the past year. | 15.0% |
| Demonstrated innovative and proactive leadership. | 15.0% |
| Implemented initiatives that resulted in significant/measurable outcomes. | 15.0% |
| Developed skills, knowledge and performance of the organization and volunteers. | 15.0% |
| Measurable success as related to their mandate, mission, vision, and goals. | 15.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission and Goals | 15.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 10.0% |
Service Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award
Requirements
Awarded to an outstanding business or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to providing top-quality customer service and guest experience in hospitality, tourism, and/or the entertainment industry. This business may have:
• Been in operation for a minimum of two consecutive years (as of October 30, 2022)
• Exceeded customer expectations in the hospitality and service industry, and offers a superior-quality product or service
• Been a key player in increasing awareness of the Greater KW area
• Demonstrated measurable success
• Made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Promote hospitality/tourism and increase awareness of Waterloo Region. | 20.0% |
| Customer testimonial, that exemplifies service excellence. | 20.0% |
| Measurable success in the hospitality/tourism industry. | 20.0% |
| Supported the Chamber's Vision, Mission, and Goals. | 20.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
Young Professional of the Year Award
Requirements
Awarded to an individual under the age of 40 who has tackled the challenges of entrepreneurship and/or has demonstrated professional growth and success in their respective field of work. This individual:
• Is under the age of 40 (as of October 30, 2022)
• Is an individual who is part of a Member Business in good standing
• Has demonstrated leadership within their workplace and/or within the community
• Has contributed to the community through active participation in community initiatives
• And/or has demonstrated entrepreneurial ability and innovation in any of the following areas: New product(s) and/or customer service initiatives, Technology, Management and/or processes.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Career Path / Career Journey | 20.0% |
| Career successes and key accomplishments to-date. | 20.0% |
| Short and long term professional goals. | 20.0% |
| Anything else that contributed to overall success. | 20.0% |
| Overall rating based on entirety of submission kit. | 20.0% |
