Each year we shine the spotlight on entrepreneurs and organizations that have gone above and beyond — especially in support of their community, staff, customers, clients, and partners.
Of-the-YearGROUP
Member of the Year
Description
Recognizing individuals who work with the Chamber of Commerce who go above and beyond to use innovative solutions that have an impact on the Sarnia Lambton community.
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member or Chamber of Commerce member's employee in good standing.
- Demonstrated innovative solutions or positive impact on the community through active social responsibility, local achievements, or events, that are over and above work expectations.
- Voted on virtually by Chamber Members.
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 33.3% |
| Innovation (outstanding commitment to the Chamber of Commerce) | 33.3% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 33.4% |
Non-profit of the Year
Description
Recognizing organizations in the non-profit sector who demonstrate excellence and innovation resulting in significant social impact. Celebrating excellence across the board.
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Must be a not-for-profit organization.
- Demonstrated excellence in their industry or field of expertise - highlighting the specific technical skills of the organization - what do you do best!
- Demonstrated the commitment to volunteers, employees, and/or partners over and above normal expectations, resulting in outstanding customer service and employee engagement.
- Demonstrated innovation resulting in growth in services or products.
- Must include 2 to 5 referral letters from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to excellence, that is above and beyond expectations. Each letter is no longer that 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical Expertise (outstanding in their field or industry) | 16.0% |
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 16.0% |
| Innovation (outstanding solutions or use of technology) | 16.0% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 16.0% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community, etc) | 16.0% |
| Letters of reference (2 to 5 letters) show | 20.0% |
Large Business of the Year
Description
Recognizing organizations with 60+ employees, that stand out for driving value for customers, employees, the community, and beyond. Celebrating excellence across the board
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Must be a for-profit organization with 60+ employees.
- Demonstrated excellence in their industry or for of expertise - highlighting the technical skills of the organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to volunteers, employees, and/or partners over and above normal expectations, resulting in outstanding customer service and employee engagement.
- Demonstrated social responsibility and commitment to Sarnia Lambton.
- Demonstrated innovation resulting in growth in services or products.
- Must include 2 to 5 letters of reference from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to excellence, that is above and beyond expectations. Each letter is no longer than 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won the Business of the year category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical Expertise (outstanding in their field or industry) | 16.0% |
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 16.0% |
| Innovation (outstanding solutions or use of technology) | 16.0% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 16.0% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community, etc) | 16.0% |
| Letters of reference (2 to 5 letters) show | 20.0% |
Medium Business of the Year
Description
Recognizing organizations with 11 to 59 employees, that stand out for driving value for customers, employees, the community, and beyond. Celebrating excellence across the board
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Must be a for-profit organization with 11 to 59 employees.
- Demonstrated excellence in their industry or for of expertise - highlighting the technical skills of the organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to volunteers, employees, and/or partners over and above normal expectations, resulting in outstanding customer service and employee engagement.
- Demonstrated social responsibility and commitment to Sarnia Lambton.
- Demonstrated innovation resulting in growth in services or products.
- Must include 2 to 5 letters of reference from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to excellence, that is above and beyond expectations. Each letter is no longer than 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won the Business of the year category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical Expertise (outstanding in their field or industry) | 16.0% |
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 16.0% |
| Innovation (outstanding solutions or use of technology) | 16.0% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 16.0% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community, etc) | 16.0% |
| Letters of reference (2 to 5 letters) show | 20.0% |
Small Business of the Year
Description
Recognizing organizations with 1 to 10 employees, that stand out for driving value for customers, employees, the community, and beyond. Celebrating excellence across the board
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Must be a for-profit organization with 1 to 10 employees.
- Demonstrated excellence in their industry or for of expertise - highlighting the technical skills of the organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to volunteers, employees, and/or partners over and above normal expectations, resulting in outstanding customer service and employee engagement.
- Demonstrated social responsibility and commitment to Sarnia Lambton.
- Demonstrated innovation resulting in growth in services or products.
- Must include 2 to 5 letters of reference from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to excellence, that is above and beyond expectations. Each letter is no longer than 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won the Business of the year category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical Expertise (outstanding in their field or industry) | 16.0% |
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 16.0% |
| Innovation (outstanding solutions or use of technology) | 16.0% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 16.0% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community, etc) | 16.0% |
| Letters of reference (2 to 5 letters) show | 20.0% |
Entrepreneur of the Year
Description
Recognizing business owners who have been in business at least one year, who introduce a new product or service to meet changing community and/or customer demands. Celebrating excellence across the board.
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Must be a business owner, in business at least 1 year.
- Demonstrated excellence in their industry or field of expertise - highlighting the technical skills of the organization.
- Demonstrated commitment to volunteers, employees, and/or partners over and above normal expectations, resulting in outstanding customer service and employee engagement.
- Demonstrated social responsibility and commitment to Sarnia Lambton.
- Demonstrated innovation resulting in growth in services or products.
- Must include 2 - 5 letters of reference from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to excellence, that is above and beyond expectations. Each letter is no longer than 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical Expertise (outstanding in their field or industry) | 16.0% |
| Level of Impact on business and community. | 16.0% |
| Innovation (outstanding solutions or use of technology) | 16.0% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 16.0% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community, etc) | 16.0% |
| Letters of reference (2 to 5 letters) show | 20.0% |
RecognitionGROUP
Excellence in Customer Service for an Individual
Description
Recognizing an individual that excels in providing outstanding customer service and drive value throughout the community, as a place that we want to send our family, friends, and colleagues.
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Demonstrates an exemplary customer service experience through social responsibility, community impact, technical expertise, innovation, growth and people impact.
- Goes above and beyond for customers or clients; high quality service from beginning to end.
- Must include 2 - 5 letters of reference from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to a consistent, high quality customer service experience, that is above and beyond expectations. Each letter is no longer than 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Corporate and Community Impact | 20.0% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 20.0% |
| Letters of reference (2 to 5 letters) show | 30.0% |
| Innovation | 15.0% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community) | 15.0% |
Young Professional
Description
Recognizing individuals who are 40 years old or younger who demonstrate excellence and a commitment to their organization and the community.
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Must be age 40 or younger to be nominated.
- Demonstrated ability to tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship and/or has exemplified leadership or professional growth in their field.
- Demonstrated an impact on corporate social responsibility as it relates to Sarnia Lambton (environmental, ethical/human rights, philanthropic and/or economic).
- Must include 2 - 5 letters of reference from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to the community. Each letter is no longer than 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 33.3% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 33.3% |
| Letters of reference (2 to 5 letters) show an | 33.4% |
Technical AwardsGROUP
Innovation
Description
Recognizing organizations that approach organizational challenges, develop or improve products, services, or business processes in new and innovative ways that result in consistent growth and job creation.
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Business or organization must have created, invented, or developed an innovative product, process, or service that has resulted in a measurable increase in revenue or job creation, productivity or quality, reduction in cost, and/or improvements in service.
- Impact of innovation must be in Canada.
- Demonstrated an impact on corporate social responsibility as it relates to Sarnia Lambton (environmental, ethical/human rights, philanthropic and/or economic).
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 33.3% |
| Innovation (outstanding use of a new or creative approach) | 33.3% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community, etc) | 33.4% |
Agri-business
Description
Recognizing organizations that drive value through agri-business, celebrating both the success and passion for growth and excellence in the agricultural sectors.
Requirements
- A Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing as of the submission date.
- The Agri-business includes food, beverage, and agriculture industries.
- Demonstrated building, rejuvenating, expanding, or commitment to sustainability.
- The impact must be made in Canada.
- Demonstrated social responsibility and commitment to Sarnia Lambton.
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Technical Expertise (outstanding as an agri-business) | 33.3% |
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 33.3% |
| Growth (business, jobs, community, etc) | 33.4% |
Inclusivity
Description
Recognizing organizations that demonstrate a conscious effort to execute IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility) and a healthy, positive, and productive workplace environment. Forward-thinking champions of inclusive values and principles.
Requirements
- Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
- Demonstrated commitment to IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility), demonstrated through employee satisfaction and retention.
- Must include 2 to 5 letters of reference from employees, customers, suppliers, or any other impacted individual showcasing the results of the commitment to a healthy, positive, and productive workplace environment. Each letter is no longer that 2 pages in length.
- Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Innovative Expertise (outstanding as an inclusive employer) | 33.3% |
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 33.3% |
| People Impact (positive experience and impact on individuals) | 33.4% |
Green Business
Description
Recognizing organizations that demonstrate a combination of leading ecological innovations with economic success.
Requirements
1. Must be a Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
2. Demonstrates exceptional and sustainable health, well-being, safety, and environmental initiatives, outside of the regular expectations of the organizations.
3. Demonstrates majority of the organization's employees are active, engaged, and participate in green sustainability over and above the normal expectations of the organizations.
4. The impact must be made in Canada.
5. Demonstrated social responsibility and commitment to Sarnia Lambton.
6. Cannot have won this category in 2023.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Social Responsibility and Community Impact | 33.3% |
| Technical Expertise | 33.3% |
| People Impact | 33.4% |
