Awards Gala

Our favourite evening of celebrations!  Nov 17th, 2022, 6pm at Poley Mountain Resorts

Tickets are $100 for chamber partners and $120 for future chamber partners.

RSVP by November 10th at https://sussexdistrictchamber.ca/chamber-awards-tickets/

Nominations are now closed.  We would like to thank everyone who submitted nominations.

Special thanks to our sponsors for 2022!

For more information on sponsorship opportunities for this event, click here.

 

Rules and Regulations

Requirements

• All businesses nominated must be within the limits of Sussex or the surrounding areas (see map) or be a member in good standing with the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce.
• Businesses may be nominated for and accept the nominations for multiple awards, however, may only win one per award year
• Nominations may not be made by owners, employees, or family of the business
• Nominations open on Thursday, September 29th, 2022
• Nominations close Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
• Nomination descriptions of why they are being nominated, may be shared with businesses, judges and/or for promotional purposes. Nominator names will not be shared.
• Winners from the previous year may not win in the same category for the following 4 years
• “Start Up Business Award” may only be won once
• All businesses must meet the award criteria, rules and regulations & are subject to review by the Chamber Board of Directors. All decisions are final
• Acceptances may be shared with our affiliates for ongoing, next level, regional awards
• Businesses must accept their nominations within the prescribed timelines to compete or be considered for an award

Award Descriptions

The SDCC reserves the right to adjust the quantity of awards granted for any 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 (October 1st, 2021, to September 30th, 2022).

Agricultural Award

• A Business or Farm 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 community
• Dedication to environmental agricultural practices

 Business Excellence Award

• Open to all businesses operating in the Sussex & District area or are members of the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce in good standing
• Candidates will be judged on all the following criteria:
• 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

 Community Award

• 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

Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Award

• Open to either an employer or newcomer who fit the corresponding criteria:

• • Active interest in diversity and inclusion in the community either as an employer or newcomer.
  • Employer who is eager to learn how to diversify their workforce and developing creative strategies to support new employees’
  • Employers and organizations creating collaboration between employers, settlement agencies, municipalities, community members, and various government levels to create new opportunities
  • Newcomers who want to contribute to the growth and prosperity of our region through their own business

 Entrepreneur of The Year Award

• 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 Award

• Individually owned and operated business out of their home in Sussex, the surrounding areas or as a member in good standing with the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce
• 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

 Start Up Business Award

• Operating between 0-3 years
• 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

 People’s Choice Award

• Vote online for your favourite business via the form hosted by the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce
• Pick a company that demonstrates one or all the below criteria:
• Principles and practices of excellence in customer service
• Going above and beyond expected service; friendly & helpful
• Value for money
• Product knowledge
• After-sales service

 Nominations close: Wednesday, October 12th, 2022

The SDCC cannot change or edit nominations once they have been submitted. If a business is nominated for a category to which they do not apply, the nomination is rejected. Once nominations close on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, all nominations are submitted to vetting as-is. There will be no exceptions for late acceptances.

Acceptance

All businesses are provided the opportunity to accept their vetted nominations. Acceptances will be emailed to business owners, as they were supplied to the Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce via the nomination forms. Businesses must accept their nomination(s) via email to vie for / be considered for an award(s). The Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce holds no responsibility for incorrect emails submitted via the nomination form. Acceptances will be sent out by October 17th and will close October 21st, 5pm sharp. We highly suggest that businesses ensure that their email accounts are monitored during this time. Businesses may be nominated under multiple award categories and may accept any that they wish to be considered for. Businesses may only win one award per year.

 

Judging

Judges are a panel of influential individuals from across the Sussex area. Judges’ names will not be disclosed to ensure none are approached to influence their choices. Judging is confidential and online. Judges are not aware of category assignments of others on the judging panel. In the event of a tie, it will be discussed during the private judge’s luncheon. Should a business win under multiple categories, the SDCC Award Administration will present the recommendation to the judging panel for approval. The judge’s decision is final.

 

People’s Choice Award

The People’s Choice Award is unique as it is by popular vote. Votes are open to members of the public. The method of this vote is via our online form. In the event of suspicious voting, those votes will be cancelled by the SDCC and will not be accepted in the final tally. The SDCC’s decision is final. The vote will open on October 24th and close on November 2nd at 5pm sharp.

 Awards Gala

Our Annual Awards Gala will tentatively be held on November 17^th, 2022 at which time all awards will be announced.

 

Timelines

• September 29th, 2022 Nominations Open
• October 12th, 2022 Nominations Close
• October 17th, 2022 Open Acceptances
• October 21st, 2022 Close Acceptances, 5pm
• October 24th, 2022 Chamber Board to Begin Judging, Open People’s Choice Award Vote
• November 2nd, 2022 Chamber Board Judging Closes, Close People’s Choice Award Poll, 5pm
• November 17th, 2022 Sussex & District Chamber of Commerce Celebration, all winners are announced