Business Excellence Awards

Recognizing the best in business.

Nominations For The 28th Annual Business Excellence Awards Are Now Open (2023)

This your chance to recognize a local community business!

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations of companies whose significant business achievements have made an important contribution to the economic and social well-being of the Greater Oshawa area.

We have moved to an online nomination process this year to make the process more convenient for nominators and nominees alike. Open our survey where you can nominate your chosen business.

Durham Broadband collects their Emerging Business Award at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce's 2022 Business Excellence Awards

Eligibility, nominations, & selections

All businesses or Not-For-Profit organizations within the Greater Oshawa boundaries; Oshawa / Whitby border to Hwy 15 / 35, and north to Oshawa / Scugog border — whether they are a member of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce or not are eligible. Any businesses or Not-For-Profit organizations outside the Greater Oshawa boundaries may be nominated provided that the company is a member of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. The nominee or related business must not have been a recipient in any category for 3 years.

Any person may participate in the nomination process by supplying the information required. Nominees may be nominated for one category only. Nominees will be contacted by the Chamber notifying them of their nomination and the process to follow.

Nominees in each category will be contacted by email and given a login to our awards platform, where they will be asked to complete an online questionnaire. The judge’s panel, comprised of executives and employees from chambers and boards of trade outside of the Durham Region will then vote in categories assigned to them. The judges’ panel decisions are final. Two finalists will be selected in each category, and the winner will be announced at the awards gala on September 26, 2023.

Award Categories & Criteria

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Business Person of the Year

Recognizes an individual (owner or employee) who demonstrates innovations and/or outstanding achievements in all or some of the following:

  • A history of business success
  • Leadership in business or profession
  • Community involvement (civic pride)
  • Creative business initiatives
  • Recognized as a good employer
  • Professionalism and integrity
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Emerging Business

The nominee must be in operation for less than five years as of December 31, 2023. Recognizes excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession in some or all of the following:

  • Company growth
  • Sales and marketing
  • Customer service
  • Community service
  • A role model for other new entrepreneurs personally and professionally
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Innovation Award

Recognizes an organization or individual who has been in business for at least three years and who has exhibited the successful introduction of an idea, process or initiative that has been proven to make a genuine difference or positive impact on an organization or the community.

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Excellence in Business (1–30 employees)

Recognizes outstanding achievement in some or all of the following:

  • Research and development
  • Company growth
  • Products and services
  • Market development
  • Sales and marketing
  • Community service (civic pride)
  • Must be in operation for at least 5 years
  • Must employ between 1 and 30 individuals
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Excellence in Business (31+ employees)

Recognizes outstanding achievement in some or all of the following:

  • Research and development
  • Company growth
  • Products and services
  • Market development
  • Sales and marketing
  • Community service (civic pride)
  • Must be in operation for at least 5 years
  • Must employ 31 or more individuals
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Excellence in Not-For-Profit

Recognizes a registered Not for Profit organization which demonstrates innovations and/or outstanding achievements in all or some of the following:

  • Has exceptional community service and leadership
  • Broadened education of their service
  • Innovative services
  • Community Involvement
  • Promoting Volunteerism
  • Positive contribution to Society
  • Social and Community awareness
  • Solid business foundation
  • In operation in the Community for at least 3 years.
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Sustainability Award

Recognizes businesses who show a dedicated approach to operating in an environmentally sustainable way including but not limited to:

  • Benchmarking, tracking & reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Improving the energy efficiency of facilities
  • Undertaking waste reduction activities
  • Empowering employees & customers to live sustainably through green team, environmentally friendly commute programs
  • Able to show a strong link between a healthy environment and a healthy business
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NEW! Intrapreneur of The Year Award

The Intrapreneur of the Year Award recognizes individuals within an organization who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial qualities and contribute significantly to innovation, growth, and success.

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NEW! Tourism Operator of The Year Award

The Tourism Operator of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievements and excellence in the tourism industry. The Tourism Operator of the Year is distinguished by exceptional tourism operators in terms of innovation, customer satisfaction, sustainability, business performance, leadership, employee welfare, marketing, and safety.