Categories

The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE) were created to recognize companies that excel in their business category. The OABE are based on a rigorous interview and analysis process that judges not only the company’s business performance but also how it contributes to making Oakville a better community. Last year’s Oakville Award for Business Excellence (OABE) gala evening, raised over $50,000.

Nominee Requirements:

1. The business must reside (have a physical presence) in Oakville.
2. The business must have been in operation more than 36 months (as of December 31, 2012) under its present ownership structure with the exception of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award which must have been in operation more than 24 months (as of December 31, 2012)
3. The business must not have won an OABE in any category for over 5 years (from the 2007-2011 awards dinners)
4. The business must not be in receivership or bankruptcy
5. OABE nomination process must be followed.
6. Note: in any given year if a sufficient number of nominations are not received in any category, the judges reserve the right to cancel the awarding of that category for that year. At the discretion of the committee, awards may not be distributed in any category with low participation rates.
7. 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).

Oakville’s Small Business of the Year - This award recognizes a business of up to approximately 20 full time equivalent employees that primarily serves Oakville and the surrounding area. Nominees will be assessed based on:

• Business growth
• Profile/Reputation
• Innovation
• Investment in the business
• Business Practices

Oakville’s Large Business of the Year - This award recognizes a business of more than 20 employees that primarily serves the provincial, national and international markets. Nominees will be assessed based on:

• Business growth
• Profile/Reputation
• Innovation
• Investment in the business
• Business Practices

Oakville’s Professional Services Provider of the Year - This award recognizes a person or employee team with a professional designation or whose practice is regulated by a provincial, federal or regulatory body. Nominees will be considered from the following professional categories:

• Legal
• Accounting
• Engineering
• Medical or Dental
• Financial

Oakville’s Restaurateur of the Year - This award recognizes a restaurateur with an establishment in Oakville that is open to the public. Please note that this is a business award and not a food award. Nominees will be assessed on:

• Growth
• Profile/Reputation
• Attraction of visitors
• Innovation
• Investment in the business
• Business Practices

Oakville’s Hospitality & Visitor Attraction of the Year - This award recognizes a business that attracts visitors to or hosts visitors in Oakville. Please note that this category does not include restaurants; see Restaurateur of the Year category. Nominees will be assessed based on:

• Growth
• Profile/Reputation
• Attraction of visitors
• innovation
• Investment in the business
• Business Practices

Oakville’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year – This award recognizes an individual who owns a business in Oakville and is 35 years of age or under (as of December 31, 2012). The nominee will be judged on:

• Entrepreneurship
• Growth
• Leadership
• Innovation in business pursuits
• Business Practices

Nominees for this category must have been in business for 24 months (as of December 31, 2012)

Oakville’s Community Builder of the Year - This award recognizes a business that has, over a period of time, demonstrated exemplary business practices and dedicated involvement in the community. The nominees will be judged on:

• Commitment to corporate social responsibility
• Community Engagement
• Environmental Stewardship
• Local Sourcing
• Employee Engagement
• Business Practices

Oakville’s Employee of the Year – This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of an employee or employee team. The nominee(s) exemplify the business’ brand and culture and consistently exceed expectations. (Please note: the nominator must be an owner or employee of the business for which the nominee is employed. The NOMINATOR will be required to provide details and specific examples to support the nomination). Nominees will be assessed based on an inspiring story.

Oakville’s Business Icon Award
This award recognizes a prominent Oakville business which is highly regarded in the business community. The nominee must be:

• Headquartered and operating for a minimum of five years in Oakville
• Have a national or international profile
• Provides significant local employment opportunities
• Makes a substantial contribution to the social and economic well-being of Oakville
• Recognized as a leader in its field

The recipient of this award will be determined solely at the discretion of the OABE committee.