Primary Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for a 2020 Business Excellence Award the following general criteria must be met:
- Nominations are open to DBOT members and non-members, but the business must be located in
the Headwaters Region (Dufferin, Caledon, or Erin). - Nominees are eligible for nomination in as many categories as applicable. Self-nominations are
permitted. Only one nomination per category is needed. - Award recipients from the previous two years (2018 & 2019) may not receive the award in the
same category (if applicable) for 2020 but can be nominated and win in other categories.
The Dufferin Board of Trade (DBOT) reserves the right to change the nomination category if an organization
or individual is nominated in an ineligible or incorrect category.
Winners are determined by independent judges. The judges’ decisions will be based upon the nominees’
answers to a short series of questions designed to showcase how the nominee exemplifies the award
criteria. These questions will be sent to nominees after the nominations close.
Entries must be received online by 4pm September 15, 2020
How to Submit Your Nomination
Please note that criteria are different for each award category, and nominations should include only
information that speaks to the nominee’s suitability for that chosen category (see category specific
information below). Please complete this form and submit it electronically before the deadline of 4pm on
September 15, 2020. After close of nominations, all nominees will be notified and asked to validate their
eligibility for the award and answer a brief questionnaire outlining their accomplishments relating to the
award criteria
All information will remain private and will only be reviewed by the judging panel. All decisions are at the
discretion of the judging panel and are final. Evaluations and final decisions will be made by a panel of
business professionals from outside the community who will base their decisions on the content provided
in the nominees’ submissions.
Answers may be written in point form or essay form. Please include any measurable data available.
Nominees may be contacted for further information or to review submitted information.
Award Categories
Business of the year – under 10 employees
Recognizes a small business for noteworthy accomplishments, long-standing contributions to the
Headwaters Region, and significant community involvement. This business demonstrates best business
practices, is a leader amongst Headwaters businesses, and has:
- one to nine employees (full-time equivalent);
- been in business longer than two years;
- champions “Thinking Local” within the organization, and to the community;
- demonstrated innovate and proactive leadership;
- made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment;
- and practiced good corporate citizenship.
Business of the Year – 10 or more employees
Recognizes a larger business for noteworthy accomplishments, long-standing contributions to the
Headwaters Region, and significant community involvement. This business demonstrates best business
practices, is a leader amongst local businesses, and has:
- ten or more employees (full-time equivalent);
- been in business longer than two years;
- champions “Thinking Local” within the organization, and to the community;
- demonstrated innovate and proactive leadership;
- made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment;
- and practiced good corporate citizenship.
Association of the Year
Recognizes a non-profit association, charity, or agency that has made an outstanding contribution to
the social, cultural or economic well-being of the Headwaters Region, is consistently responsive to
community needs, delivers outstanding service to its beneficiaries, and communicates a wellarticulated vision and mission in support of a strong and viable community. The association will have
shown innovation and leadership, and achieved outstanding success in the not-for-profit sector
through:
- demonstrating excellence and innovation in the non-profit sector;
- participation in the local community that has significantly benefited others;
- developing community partnerships that benefit the broader community; and
- contributing by giving back to the community with time, product, donations and/or support.
Adaptability Award
Recognizes a business or non-profit that has changed and adapted their existing business model and
continued to thrive despite the challenges currently faced by small businesses
This organization has:
- pivoted their marketing, products, delivery, or other facets of their business to persevere
through challenging situations; - demonstrated their resiliency and ability to change;
- created new strategies and out of the box ideas to succeed; and
- continued to be a successful contributor in our local business community.
Innovation Award
Awarded to a business or organization that is a trailblazer of the Headwaters Region business
community, striving ahead to achieve remarkable results. Innovators are committed, determined, and
skilled game-changers in their industry, and have:
- created, invented or developed an innovative product or process that has had a significant
impact on the local community; - made innovative improvements in their products, processes, technology, management, or
customer service; - been a socially responsible, engaged member of the local business community; and
- been in operation for a minimum of two years.
Workforce Builder Award
Awarded to a business or organization that understands the importance of growing and developing our
local workforce. They are an outstanding employer and support apprenticeship programs &/or
mentorship of young and new workers, and they:
- Champion developing a local workforce;
- Empower and support their employees;
- Encourage and enable professional development in their workplace; and
- Support skilled trades and apprenticeship programs &/or mentorship programs.
Community Builder Award
Honours a for-profit business that demonstrates outstanding community involvement and embraces
the notion of giving back, with community investments that have resulted in an improved quality of life
in the Headwaters Region, and increased community well-being. The Community Builder:
- invests in the lives of others and actively contributes to making the Headwaters Region a great
place to live and work; - has initiatives that demonstrate a sustained and long‐term commitment to improving the
quality of life and community well-being in Headwaters; - has policies and practices that demonstrate accountability and responsibility to the community;
and - actively supports existing community building programs, or establishes new programs and
initiatives.
Business Leaders Awards
This award is presented to local business people that have shown leadership, community involvement
and are pioneers and mentors in the business community. Business Leaders:
- set an example of positive leadership;
- project a positive image in the community;
- work to motivate and encourage other entrepreneurs;
- promote a positive image of the Headwaters Region and/or its people;
- actively contribute to the growth of the community, and support of local initiatives; and
- have been active in the community for a minimum of five years.