THANK YOU FOR ENCOURAGING LOCAL BUSINESSES – NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Nominated businesses will be notified shortly.

Welcome to the 2023, Bradford Board Of Trade (BBT) Business Excellence Awards: an opportunity to recognize excellence within the Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG) business community. As BWG grows, our business community is becoming diverse and innovative. Our businesses are emerging as leaders in their respective industries. The BBT is proud to support their dedication and to shine a spotlight on their extraordinary efforts.

You can find the award timelines by clicking here.

If you have received incredible customer service, fantastic product advice, consistently have your expectations met or exceeded by one of our local businesses, thank them! Recognize and encourage their efforts by nominating them for an award below. Nominations are based on business activities from September 2022 to September 2023.

All businesses nominated must be within the limits of Bradford West Gwillimbury (see map) or be a member in good standing with the Bradford Board of Trade.

Businesses may be nominated for multiple awards & accept multiple nominations. However, they may only win one per award year. Nominations may not be made by owners, employees or family of the business.  Nominations open on Sunday, May 21st, 2023 and close on Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 5pm sharp.

To view the Rules and regulations, click here.

Award Criteria

 

All achievements, goals, purchases, expansions and actions described below must have occurred within the Award Year (September 1st 2022 – September 1st 2023)

The BBT reserves the right to adjust the quantity of awards granted for any particular category. The number of awards granted will reflect the number of nominations accepted for the category. All achievements described below must have occurred within the Award Year (September 1st, 2022 to September 1st, 2023).

Agricultural Award

  • A Company that has made a substantial contribution to the field of agricultural development
  • Innovation and creativity in business (production and/or processing, and/or sales and marketing)
  • Proven business sustainability and/or growth
  • Outstanding accomplishments in agriculture, aquaculture, and/or value-added food processing
  • Shows active involvement in the farming community
  • Dedication to environmental agricultural practices

Business Excellence Award

  • Dedication to customer service
  • Quality of product or service
  • Innovation and creativity in business
  • Consistent pre-sales and after sales customer service
  • Proven business growth
  • Outstanding business accomplishments
  • Active involvement in the community and/or business associations
  • Expertise in their industry
  • Demonstrated new innovation

Community Award

  • A business with a strong record of exceptional generosity through direct financial support or through significant volunteer time
  • Has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to philanthropy
  • Has encouraged and motivated others in the business community to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement
  • Active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community
  • Defined goal, plan and execution

Employer Of The Year

  • A business with a minimum of 3 full time employees
  • Business must have been profitable in the last year
  • Must have a strong and sustainable structure for employee compensation, via benefits, wages and benefit practices
  • Demonstrates strategic employee recruitment and retention activities
  • Commitment to workforce development; employee training and education/professional development opportunities
  • Displays commitment to providing programs for a happy and healthy workplace as part of its company goals and overall strategy
  • A commitment to an inclusive workplace, with a strategy to recruit, hire and encourage a diverse workforce

Entrepreneur Of The Year

  • Individually owned and operated
  • Successful in expanding their business
  • True trendsetter in recognizing a new market, product, service, technological advancement or opportunity and led the way
  • Business is profitable, has a comprehensive business plan and is ready for next-stage growth
  • Shows true innovation and a willingness to take risks

Home Based Business Of The Year

  • Individually owned and operated business out of their home in BWG or as a member in good standing with the Bradford Board Of Trade
  • Active involvement in the community and/or business associations
  • Business is profitable, has a comprehensive business plan
  • Shown innovation and creativity in business
  • Potential for sustainability of future business growth
  • Overcoming challenges
  • Dedication to customer service

People’s Choice Award

  • Vote online for your favourite business
  • Principles and practices of excellence in customer service
  • Going above and beyond expected service; friendly & helpful
  • Value for money
  • Product knowledge
  • After-sales service

Start Up Business Award

  • Operating between 0-3 years as of Sept. 1st, 2023
  • Newly established
  • Showed growth and success
  • Nominees for this award should be exceptional leaders whose businesses and business practices affect our community
  • Shown innovation and creativity in business
  • Potential for sustainability of future business growth
  • Overcoming challenges
  • Active involvement in the community and/or business associations
  • Has not previously won this award

Woman Of Influence

  • Must be involved in a business for a minimum of the last 3 years as of Sept. 1st, 2023
  • Business must have been profitable in the last year
  • She must hold a senior executive role or be the chief decision maker
  • She must be the founder of the business, or have made a significant impact if the business was acquired
  • She has brought positive change in the form of equality, inclusion and/or women’s security through their business practices
  • Has taken on a role of mentor for other women in business through grassroots initiatives or via other organizations

Youth Entrepreneur Of The Year

  • An individual 29 years of age or younger by the nomination submission deadline of August 21st, 2023
  • An entrepreneur in business for at least 1 year as of Sept. 1st, 2023
  • Has demonstrated significant business achievement
  • Has defined goals and a business plan
  • Has overcome challenges and demonstrated good corporate citizenship
  • Shows true innovation and a willingness to take risks

Nominations close: Monday, August 21st 2023 at 5pm sharp.

 

Timeline

  • May 21st, 2023 Nominations Open
  • August 21st, 2023 Nominations Close, 5pm
  • August 22nd, 2023 Open Acceptances
  • September 24th, 2023 Close Acceptances, 5pm
  • September 25th, 2023 Begin BEA Judging, Open People’s Choice Award Vote
  • October 8th, 2023 BEA Judging Closes, Close People’s Choice Award Poll, 5pm
  • October 28th, 2023 BEA Celebration Gala, all winners are presented