The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE) were created to recognize companies that excel in their business category.
Nominee Requirements:
- The business must reside (have a physical presence) in Oakville.
- The business must have been in operation more than 36 months (as of December 31, 2023) under its present ownership structure within the Town of Oakville, with the exception of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Young Professional or Entrepreneur of the Year (YPEG Award), which must have been in operation more than 24 months (as of December 31, 2023)
- The business must not have won an OABE in any judged category in the last 5 years
- A qualifying questionnaire is completed by the nominee and if a the nominee qualifies they complete a more in depth questionnaire. Qualified nominees will be interviewed by the judging panel.
- Nominees are not required to be members of either the Oakville Chamber of Commerce or the Rotary Club of Oakville West (or any other Chamber or Rotary Club).
RBC Royal Bank Large Business of the Year – This award recognizes a business of more than 20 employees and/or generates approximately $10 million or more in revenue annually. Nominees will be assessed on:
- Business successes
- Profile/Reputation
- Innovation
- Investment in the business
- Business Practices
Henderson Partners LLP Mid-size Business of the Year – This award recognizes a business of 5-20 employees and/or generates between $2 million-$10 million in revenue annually. Nominees will be assessed on:
- Business successes
- Profile/Reputation
- Innovation
- Investment in the business
- Business practices
KPMG Small Business of the Year – This award recognizes a business of 1-5 full time equivalent employees and/or generates up to approximately $2 million in revenue annually. Nominees will be assessed on:
- Business successes
- Profile/Reputation
- Innovation
- Investment in the business
- Business Practices
O’Connor MacLeod Hanna, LLP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader of the Year – This award recognizes a business who has created an inclusive and accessible work place.
Nominees will be assessed on:
- Initiatives/programs that advance increased diversity, equity, inclusion or accessibility
- Business practices/policies around diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility
- Partnerships with like-minded organizations
- Community engagement
Media Resources Service Provider of the Year – This award recognizes a business that primarily earns revenue through providing products and services. Nominees will be considered from the following service industries (but not limited to):
- Retail
- Food Services
- Health & Wellness
- Education
Nominees will be assessed on:
- Business successes
- Profile/Reputation
- Innovation
- Investment in the business
- Business Practices
Cogeco Entrepreneur of the Year – This award recognizes an individual who personally exhibits extraordinary entrepreneurship, energy, inspiration, leadership and / or innovation in their business pursuits. Nominees must have created or founded a business or new venture. Nominees will be assessed on:
- Entrepreneurship
- Business successes
- Leadership
- Innovation in business pursuits
- Business practices
Nominees for this category must have been in business in Oakville for at least 24 months (as of December 31, 2023)
Sagen Next Generation Leader of the Year – This award recognizes an individual who personally exhibits extraordinary energy, inspiration, leadership and / or innovation in their business pursuits. Nominees must be under the age of 40 (as of December 31, 2023). Nominees will be assessed on:
- Business successes
- Innovation in business pursuits
- Profile/reputation
- Leadership
- Community engagement
Nominees for this category must have been in business in Oakville for at least 24 months (as of December 31, 2023).
Bell Community Builder Award – This award recognizes a business or organization that has, over a period of time, demonstrated exemplary business practices and dedicated involvement in the community.
The recipient of this award will be determined solely at the discretion of the OABE committee and is not open for nominations.
Business Icon Award – This award recognizes a prominent Oakville business which is highly regarded in the business community.
The recipient of this award will be determined solely at the discretion of the OABE committee and is not open for nominations.
Visit Oakville Tourism Excellence of the Year – This award recognizes an Oakville business that has contributed to the local visitor economy by:
- marketing Oakville to visitors
- attracting visitors to Oakville
- providing an exceptional experience to visitors
- partnering with visitor-minded businesses to create/contribute to visitor experiences and/or advocating for the value of the local tourism industry
CN Not-for-Profit Award – This award recognizes a charity or not-for-profit organization which is highly regarded in the community and raises funds or provides services to improve the lives of people within the community.
The recipient of this award will be determined solely at the discretion of the OABE committee and is not open for nominations.
Oakville Hydro Sustainability Leader of the Year – This award recognizes a business that has put into place measures to ensure the environmental well-being of our town through conservation and climate action.
Nominees will be assessed on:
- Reduction of energy consumption
- Investment in the business to reduce carbon footprint
- Environmental business practices/policies
- Environmental stewardship
