Annual Business Excellence Awards & Citizen of the Year Banquet

Cornwall boasts a number of area businesses and industries with some of them enjoying global recognition and respect for excellence in products and services. Employing 50 or more people, these firms play a leading role in solidly positioning the City in the marketplace.

They provide employment, stability and an enhanced quality of life for many Cornwall and area residents. This category is described, in general terms as having been in operation for a minimum of one year in either a manufacturing or non-manufacturing role. Specific criteria for the award include:

• Significant increase in revenue
• Addition of new technology
• Progressive human resource policies
• New or expanded facilities
• Environmental commitment
• Workforce has grown
• Committed training culture
• Innovative marketing strategy or new market development
• Community involvement

Sponsored by:

Nine of ten enterprises in Canada are classified as small business making them a mainstay of the Canadian economy. A vast majority fall into this category of stalwart business professionals. The award is a tribute to a non-manufacturing organization of less than 50 employees which has operated in the Cornwall area for at least one year.
Specific Criteria for the award include:

• Increased workforce
• Expanded facilities
• Unique marketing strategy and success
• Significant sales growth
• Community commitment
• Chamber membership not a requisite

Sponsored by:

Without imagination and a willingness to take risks, many of the innovative products and valuable services in today’s marketplace would not exist. The entrepreneur takes a vision and turns it into a profitable reality. This award recognizes someone from the community who exemplifies the qualities of the business visionary.
The general criteria centre on an enterprise which is no more than three years old or, one that has undergone a significant shift in focus within that period of time.
Specific Criteria include but not limited to:

• Demonstrated leadership, daring and creativity
• Steady revenue growth
• Demonstrated personal and financial commitment
• Newly secured market share
• Unique marketing concept
• Chamber membership not a requisite

Sponsored by:

The Above and Beyond award recognizes exemplary service in the community. Generally speaking, it is awarded to a firm or individual who goes, as the name suggests above what would generally be expected. Criteria include but are not limited to:

• Exceptional service
• An innovative idea
• Enhances Cornwall’s image
• Positive public relations figure for the community
• Assisted others to excel

Candidates for this award may be employed by a business in the product or service sector, may be a volunteer at one of Cornwall’s many agencies or, may be a member of the community who has made a difference.

Sponsored by:

The Cornwall business community boasts an enviable group of long standing business professionals. These individuals have not only made their mark in the world of commerce, they have enhanced the community as a whole.
Their belief in the community has seen them give of their time and expertise to help create an environment of growth and prosperity and to create a better quality of life for all. This award recognizes and salutes these individuals for their selfless commitment.
Specific Criteria for the award include:

• Long term business success
• Strong community involvement
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in a changing business world
• Innovative business strategies
• Recognized business leader and a role model
• Chamber membership not a requisite

Sponsored by:

A special award not always presented, Breakthrough recognizes an extraordinary local event or people accomplishing extraordinary things which benefit the community in unique and meaningful ways.
The award may be given to an individual, a group, an organization or, a business. In general terms the award recognizes a significant accomplishment that benefits the entire City.
Specific Criteria for the award include:

• Significantly improving Cornwall’s image
• Dramatically and positively impacting the entire community
• An accomplishment eclipsing normal individual and company boundaries
• Creating meaningful new opportunities for business
• Event or activity culminates in the current year
• Chamber membership not a requisite

Sponsored by:

The personal commitments made by volunteers in the Cornwall region is significant. Whether it is by volunteering time, effort, expertise or resources, people throughout our region are making valuable contributions in Ontario, across the country and around the world.

The Dr. Garth Taylor Humanitarian Award is one that is not regularly given out. It is presented to an individual from the Cornwall area who has distinguished himself/herself for exceptional contributions outside our community, as epitomized by the late Dr. Taylor. The winner of the award would be someone who has committed to assisting others in a humanitarian focused manner such that the people, the community or the region benefits.

Specific criteria include but are not limited to:

Humanitarian efforts on behalf of those less fortunate

Continuous years of commitment and dedicated service

Offering tangible and/or intangible support to those in need

Enhancing the quality of life for an individual, a group of people from an outside community or, a defined geographic region

Positively promoting the community during conferences, external business activities

Raising in a positive and caring manner, the profile of the City of Cornwall

Sponsored by:

The Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce introduced the “Citizen of the Year” award in 1972. Since then, the Chamber has regularly honored citizens who have made an outstanding contribution in the community.
Nominations are evaluated on the nature of the achievement with respect to ongoing leadership, dedication and the positive impact the individual has made on the community.
For a comprehensive and complete nomination, please include the following:

1. Description letters of support from persons/organizations who know your nominee and his/her work.
2. Copies of any newspaper/magazine articles about your nominee.

Individuals Eligible For Nomination And Consideration:

• An area resident who has demonstrated excellence in Cornwall’s community service and who has substantially enhanced the well being of its citizens.
• The services listed have not been performed as part of the normal course of professional or business duties but, the contribution has been given freely without thought of receiving any personal or financial gain.
• The achievement may include community service, business and industry, labour, sports, arts and culture, education, heritage conservation, environment, etc.
• The nomination must be signed by two persons or the head of the organization nominating the individual.
• Elected federal, provincial or municipal representatives are not eligible for nomination while holding office.

Sponsored by: