The following provides information on the various Award categories.
Business of the Year
A number of Cornwall and area businesses fall into this category. Employing 50 or more people, these firms play a leading role in solidly positioning the City in the marketplace. This category is described, in general terms as having been in operation for a minimum of one year in a non-manufacturing role.
Specific Criteria for the award include:
- Significant increase in revenue
- New or expanded facilities
- Workforce has grown
- Innovative marketing strategy
- Chamber membership not a requisite
Nomination Form for Business of the Year Awards
Small Business of the Year
Nine of ten enterprises in Canada are classified as small business making them a mainstay of the Canadian economy. A vast majority fall into this category of stalwart business professionals. The award is a tribute to a non-manufacturing organization of less than 50 employees which has operated in the Cornwall area for at least one year.
Specific Criteria for the award include:
- Increased workforce
- Expanded facilities
- Unique marketing strategy and success
- Significant sales growth
- Community commitment
- Chamber membership not a requisite
Nomination Form for Small Business of the Year Awards
Industry of the Year
Cornwall boasts a number of leading industries with some of them enjoying global recognition and respect for excellence in products and services. They provide employment, stability and an enhanced quality of life for many Cornwall and area residents.
This category is specific to industries which manufacture a product and have been in operation locally for at least one year.
Specific Criteria for the award include:
- Significant increase in revenues
- Export development
- Earned ISO certification
- Progressive human resource policies
- Community involvement
- New market development
- Addition of new technology
- Environmental commitment
- Committed training culture
- Chamber membership not a requisite
Nomination Form for Industry of the Year Awards
Entrepreneur of the Year
Without imagination and a willingness to take risks, many of the innovative products and valuable services in today's marketplace would not exist. 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.
The general criteria centre on an enterprise which is no more than three years old or, one that has undergone a significant shift in focus within that period of time.
Specific Criteria include but not limited to:
- Demonstrated leadership, daring and creativity
- Steady revenue growth
- Demonstrated personal and financial commitment
- Newly secured market share
- Unique marketing concept
- Chamber membership not a requisite
Nomination Form for Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
Above and Beyond
The thousands of available products and services can make consumer purchase decisions a daunting task. The need for assistance, whether it be information gathering or choosing between alternatives, clearly underscores the value of a knowledgeable and committed service professional.
This award recognizes excellence in the service sector with the candidate selection based first upon the following general criteria: the candidate works for a Cornwall and area based firm in a client focused position for a minimum one year.
Specific Criteria include but not limited to:
- Performance recognition such as an award
- Exceptional customer service
- Professional / personal development
- Outstanding team player
- Superior sales performance
- Selfless: giving of one’s self in support of others in the community
Nomination Form for Above and Beyond Awards
Lifetime Achievement of the Year
The Cornwall business community boasts an enviable group of long standing business professionals. These individuals have not only made their mark in the world of commerce, they have enhanced the community as a whole.
Their belief in the community has seen them give of their time and expertise to help create an environment of growth and prosperity and to create a better quality of life for all. This award recognizes and salutes these individuals for their selfless commitment.
Specific Criteria for the award include:
- Long term business success
- Strong community involvement
- Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in a changing business world
- Innovative business strategies
- Recognized business leader and a role model
- Chamber membership not a requisite
Nomination Form for Lifetime Achievement of the Year Awards
Breakthrough Award
A special award not always presented, Breakthrough recognizes an extraordinary local event or people accomplishing extraordinary things which benefit the community in unique and meaningful ways.
The award may be given to an individual, a group, an organization or, a business. In general terms the award recognizes a significant accomplishment that benefits the entire City.
Specific Criteria for the award include:
- Significantly improving Cornwall's image
- Dramatically and positively impacting the entire community
- An accomplishment eclipsing normal individual and company boundaries
- Creating meaningful new opportunities for business
- Event or activity culminates in the current year
- Chamber membership not a requisite
Nomination Form for Breakthrough Awards
Skills Development
As the Cornwall & Area business and industrial sectors develop an enviable workforce, there are firms which stand apart for their employee focus. They truly believe their strength is their people and it is reflected in a focus on training and skills development.
The award acknowledges organizations which have a commitment to employee skill development, a training culture reaching all levels of their operations, and a formal process for recognizing and rewarding those who commit to professional and personal development.
Specific Criteria include but not limited to:
- A clearly stated training philosophy
- Recognition for successfully completed skills development
- Incentives for employee access to training at educational institutions.
- Regularly scheduled training activities
- Documented employee advancement because of success in upskilling.
Nomination Form for Skills Development Awards
Dr. Garth Taylor Humanitarian Award
The personal commitments made by volunteers in the Cornwall region is significant. Whether it is by volunteering time, effort, expertise or resources, people throughout our region are making valuable contributions in Ontario, across the country and around the world.
The Dr. Garth Taylor Humanitarian Award is one that is not regularly given out. It is presented to an individual from the Comwall area who has distinguished himself/herself for exceptional contributions outside our community, as epitomized by the late Dr. Taylor. The winner of the award would be someone who has committed to assisting others in a humanitarian focused manner such that the people, the community or the region benefits.
Specific Criteria include but not limited to:
- Humanitarian efforts on behalf of those less fortunate.
- Continuous years of commitment and dedicated service.
- Offering tangible and/or intangible support to those in need.
- Enhancing the quality of life for an individual, a group of people from an outside community or, a defined geographic region.
- Positively promoting the community during conferences, external business activities.
- Raising in a positive and caring manner, the profile of the City of Cornwall.
Nomination Form for the Dr. Garth Taylor Humanitarian Award
Citizen of the Year
The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce introduced the "Citizen of the Year" award in 1972. Since then, the Chamber has regularly honored citizens who have made an outstanding contribution in the community.
Nominations are evaluated on the nature of the achievement with respect to ongoing leadership, dedication and the positive impact the individual has made on the community.
For a comprehensive and complete nomination, please include the following:
- Description letters of support from persons/organizations who know your nominee and his/her work.
- Copies of any newspaper/magazine articles about your nominee.
Individuals Eligible For Nomination And Consideration:
- An area resident who has demonstrated excellence in Cornwall's community service and who has substantially enhanced the well being of its citizens.
- The services listed have not been performed as part of the normal course of professional or business duties but, the contribution has been given freely without thought of receiving any personal or financial gain.
- The achievement may include community service, business and industry, labour, sports, arts and culture, education, heritage conservation, environment, etc.
- The nomination must be signed by two persons or the head of the organization nominating the individual.
- Elected federal, provincial or municipal representatives are not eligible for nomination while holding office.
Nomination Form for Citizen of the Year