Nominate an Oakville Business for a Prestigious Excellence Awards   

In 2007 many of Oakville’s businesses have provided excellent service and quality products and have a success story that should be recognized. Next April the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence ceremony will honour the five best of these individuals and companies for 2007 at the 13th annual Award Gala Dinner. Nominations close December 15.

Along with the honour of being recognized, each award winner is given a spectacular crystal award plaque. The Gala Award Dinner, hosted by The Rotary Club of Oakville West and The Oakville Chamber of Commerce, will be held at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre on Thursday April 3, 2008. (Gala tickets go on sale in January).

The proceeds from the event provide financial support for the Oakville Awards for Academic Excellence: scholarships and bursaries for graduating students of Oakville’s public secondary schools, as well as other youth programs supported by The Rotary Club of Oakville West.

How is a business nominated for an OABE?

Anyone can nominate a business they feel exhibits excellence. The deadline for nominations is December 15, 2007. You may nominate more than one business. Please do not nominate the same firm more than once.

Does the business with the most nominations win?

No! The OABE is an adjudicated award whereby nominations are validated by experts and each nominee given an opportunity to submit detailed information to a judging panel. Finalists are interviewed to verify their excellence.

Who is eligible to win an OABE?

This competition is open to businesses which have existed for a minimum of two years in Oakville. The business must be located in the Town of Oakville. The competition is not open to governments, associations or organizations which operate on a not-for-profit basis. The competition is closed to the Judges and their employers, and to members of the OABE Organizing Committee and their employers.

What if I am not certain about the category for which a business should be nominated?

The Judges will place the nominations in the appropriate category, if necessary.

What about small businesses? How large does a business have to be?

Past winners were all sizes - from sole proprietorships to national firms. Excellence is the key, not size.

Do I have to obtain permission from the business before nominating them?

No. You do not have to obtain permission but it is polite to inform them. Businesses are usually honoured and flattered to be nominated for these coveted awards by their customer, supplier, employee or other person.

How does a nominated business participate in these business awards?

All eligible nominees will be contacted and invited to submit information for the Judges’ consideration. The Judges do not probe commercially sensitive information, but ask the nominees general questions such as:

• What differentiates you in your business and why?

• Why do employees want to work for you?

• How has your business grown since it was formed and why?

• Describe examples of how you and your business give back to the community?

• How do you demonstrate excellence in product quality, customer service or supplier relations?