Nominate your favourite Dufferin business for the 2023 excellence award

Written By James Matthews

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Dufferin County residents can nominate outstanding local businesses and non-profits that work to better the community. 

The 2023 Business Excellence Awards celebrate the local businesses and non-profit organizations that work to benefit both the local economy and the well-being of the Dufferin community.

The awards are put on by the Dufferin Board of Trade. Nominations can be made on dufferinbot.ca before Apr. 20.

Nominations are submitted by community members who wish to recognize and celebrate local hardworking organizations. Winners are determined by judges from outside the area, with decisions based on how the nominee exemplifies the award criteria.

Nominations are open to board members and non-member businesses located in Dufferin County. Nominees are eligible for nomination in as many categories as applicable.

Nominators should show how their nominees live and breathe their corporate values, have survived the challenges of the past few years, and are making the community better by being part of it.

After nominations close, nominees are asked a few questions through an online survey to help tell their stories. Their responses are sent to judges outside the local area for non-biased judging.

Nominees' logos and stories are also added to DBOT's website and social media to further promote these outstanding local businesses and showcase Business Excellence in Dufferin.

Nominees will be presented with a certificate of their nomination by municipal council, DBOT staff and volunteers. The award winners will be announced at a special gala on the evening of May 18 at Monora Park.

The Business of the Year category recognizes a local business for noteworthy accomplishments, long-standing contributions to Dufferin County, and significant community involvement. 

The Businessperson of the Year Award is presented to a local business person that has shown leadership, community involvement and is a pioneer or mentor in the business community.

The Inclusivity Champion Award recognizes a local business or non-profit that provides equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or mental disabilities or belonging to other minority groups.

The Responsible Business Award celebrates a local business or non-profit that demonstrates both social and environmental responsibility in its business practices. This organization is committed to making life better by being a good steward of the environment, a good employer, and a good business.

The Innovation Award is earned by a business or organization that is a trailblazer in our local business community and strives to achieve remarkable results. 

There's a Community Builder Award that honours a for-profit business that demonstrates outstanding community involvement and embraces the notion of giving back with community investments that have resulted in an improved quality of life in our region and increased community well-being.

The Chairman's Award is given at the discretion of the DBOT board of directors chairperson. Nominations are not accepted for this award.