Category Criteria

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Large Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must have 50+ employees
• Considered a leader in the business community
• Contributes to the community through volunteering or monetary support
• Growth and profitability
• Customer Service
• Strategic and tactical planning
• Employee satisfaction
• Community Support

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Medium Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Must have between 11-49 employees
• Growth and profitability
• Sales and marketing
• Innovation, Strategic and tactical planning
• Employee satisfaction
• Community Supporter
• Customer Service

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Small Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Must have between 1 – 10 employees (let us know if you're supposed to be a medium business)
  ??When answering your questions, keep in mind the metrics we'll be judging on:
• Adoption of new technologies
• Customer Service
• Challenges: strategic and tactical planning
• Employee satisfaction
• Community Supporter

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the New Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must have been in business for less than two years
• Must demonstrate good growth potential
• Must have taken significant financial risk to develop the business
• Must demonstrate high quality products or services
• Must demonstrate excellent customer service

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must have owners below 35 years of age
• Must demonstrate good growth potential
• Must demonstrate high-quality products or services
• Must demonstrate community involvement

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Employer of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Must have a minimum of 10 staff
• Must be nominated by an employee or group of employees
• Must demonstrate a fair wage and benefits policy
• Must promote family and workplace balance
• Must demonstrate open consistent communications with staff
• Must be in business for longer than two years

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Customer Service Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Must demonstrate a consistently outstanding level of customer service, product support and after sales service
• Goes above and beyond to meet customer needs

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Non-Profit Excellence Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable contributors is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• This award is presented to the organization that exemplifies excellence and innovation in their programs, projects, and partnerships.
• Their commitment to growth and expanded programs, as well as service, community involvement, sustainable practices and/or job creation/development.
• Demonstrates a dedicated focus on achieving their vision and mandate.

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Business Leader of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Individual who must be in business more than 5 years
• Requires a history of business success, excellence and innovation
• Must demonstrate commitment and passion for their business
• Considered a leader in the business community
• Contributes to the community through volunteering or monetary support

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Retail Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Demonstrate providing superior customer service and creativity in reaching target markets 
• Demonstrate a commitment to being involved in the community
• Have a reputation of excellent product knowledge 
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing quality products

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Trades Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Exhibiting a history of excellence in the area of workplace safety 
• A positive reputation of integrity and leadership within the industry 
• Provides a quality, certified service and actively seeks ways to enhance offerings
• Excellent client and/or employee relationship

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Agri-Business Excellence Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be an enterprise or industry involved in the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products. This includes a wide range of activities such as farming, ranching, crop production, livestock management, agribusiness services, and the manufacturing and marketing of agricultural equipment and supplies.
• Must have been in business for 2 years or more.
• Must demonstrate commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
• Local supply chain integrations
• Challenges and innovative solutions

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Restaurant of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Demonstrate exceptional customer service 
• Quality and consistency of products/service
• Community Involvement 
• Employee Relations & Training 
• Innovation

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Tourism Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Provides and/ or promotes an outstanding visitor experience
• Actively encourages the growth of Greater Vernon as a destination
• A positive reputation of integrity and leadership in the industry

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Professional Business of the Year Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

• Must be in business for longer than two years
• Must exemplify professionalism and integrity
• Outstanding achievement in Customer Service, Market Development and Innovation
• Must demonstrate community service

Requirements

Congratulations on being nominated for the Diversity Excellence Award! Your positive impact on the community and your outstanding presence in the Greater Vernon area have truly set you apart. Whether you were self-nominated or recognized by others, your aspiration to be one of Vernon's most notable businesses is commendable.

The following questions form the basis of our judging process and should be answered thoughtfully. We recommend drafting your responses in a Word or Google document before copying and pasting them into the submission form to prevent any loss of your work.

Take your time, there are around a dozen questions in total.

Must have undertaken significant change within the last two years, in areas such as:

• Reviewing or implementing diversity, inclusive and/or equity policies, processes and practices
• Progressive hiring and on-boarding practice to recruit, retain and develop diversity
• Showcase diversity in customer attraction and marketing
• Providing training and education in diversity to staff
• Offering mentorship and/or supporting connection in the community
• Must have been in business for 2 years or more

Requirements

Chosen by public vote from nominees of all categories.

Voting begins September 19 and ends October 11.

Requirements

Chosen by public vote from nominees of all categories.

Voting begins September 22 and ends October 13.