The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, along with our sponsors, announce nominations are now being accepted for our 2015 Business of the Year Awards, the 2015 Entrepreneurial Award, and also The Greater Watertown-North Country Farm and Craft Market Vendor of the Year. The awards will be presented at a luncheon on Thursday, March 3, 2016, at Savory Downtown.
Nomination deadline is Friday, January 6, 2016 at 4:00 pm
TheBusiness of the Year Award
The Business of the Year Award is presented to a business/organization able to demonstrate outstanding leadership and vision, successful performance and substantial growth, and able to serve as an inspiration to other businesses. The award is designed to recognize and reward a North Country business or organization that has invested in the region by creating economic success in the Greater Watertown Area and continually gives back to the community.
The Business of the Year Award is presented to one company/organization in each of the following categories:
- For-Profit Business with 50 or fewer employees
- For-Profit Business with more than 50 employees
- Non-Profit/Not-For-Profit Organization with 50 or fewer employees
- Non-Profit/Not-For-Profit Organization with more than 50 employees
Eligibility Requirements
The nominee must be a member in good standing of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce; and may nominate themselves or another GWNC Chamber Member in good standing. They must have been in business in the North Country for at least three (3) years.
Criteria - The nominee must demonstrate:
- Financial Viability
- Staying Power
- Significant contributions to the growth of the local economy and the community
- Exceptional customer service
- Involvement and participation in professional, business and/or trade associations
2015 Business of the Year Nomination Form
NOMINEE
Date:______
Business Name:______
Name and Title of Primary Officer/Owner:______
Address:______
Phone:______
Fax:______
E-mail:______
CHECK APPLICABLE CATEGORY
For-Profit Business with 50 or Fewer Employees
For-Profit Business with more than 50 Employees
Non-Profit/Not-For-Profit Business with 50 or Fewer Employees
Non-Profit/Not-For-Profit Business with more than 50 Employees
NOMINATOR
Name:______
Business Name:______
Address:______
Phone:______
Fax:______
E-Mail:______
- Staying Power – Provide a brief description of the nominee’s business history, business plan, strategies and goals and the percentage of their sales growth over the past three years. A letter from the company’s accountant or banker attesting to the financial position of the nominee is acceptable for describing growth.
- Contributions to Local Economy and to the North Country Community – Describe significant contributions that the nominee has made to the growth of the local economy through capital investments, jobs created or jobs retained. The company should also show its commitment to workforce development within its organization by describing the training, motivation, education and ethical standards programs provided to employees by the nominee. Include any innovative initiatives (development of a new technology, product, service) that the nominee has undertaken within the last 3 years. Describe the nominee’s involvement, leadership, support, and/or achievements within the community.
- Customer Service/Client Satisfaction – Provide examples of exceptional Customer Service/Client Satisfaction provided by the nominee. Identify any local, state or national customer service awards, and date they were presented.
- Professional Involvement – Describe the nominee’s involvement and participation in professional, business and/or trade associations.
- Letters of Reference –Please provide (2) letters of reference, preferably from a customer/vendor, banker, accountant, or attorney.
Return respective nomination form fully completed; along with a high resolution logo and a current photo of your business/organization (to be used in recognition pieces) on disc or by e-mail to , or by mail to GWNC Chamber of Commerce, 1291 Faichney Drive, Suite 1, Watertown, NY 13601; Please call Alekzandra Huttemann-Kall at (315) 788-4400 to confirm submission has been received or for further information
Nomination deadline is Friday, January 6, 2016 at 4:00 pm
**A selection committee consisting of a diverse group of business and community leaders will review all nomination forms and will select the recipients based on a scoring system of criteria**
The Entrepreneurial Award
The Entrepreneurial Award is intended to recognize a new business created and located in Jefferson County, that that has experienced growth in employment and sales.
Eligibility Requirements
Nominations are open to companies established and located in Jefferson County who have been operating for at least two years but not more than four years and can show by specific examples that their business plan is being implemented and effective in the growth of their business. Nominees do not need to be a Chamber member.
Criteria:
- Business Plan
- Products & Services
- Marketing & Sales
- Measured Growth
2015 Entrepreneurial Nomination Form
NOMINEE
Date:______
Business Name:______
Name and Title of Primary Officer/Owner:______
Address:______
Phone:______
Fax:______
E-mail:______
NOMINATOR
Name:______
Business Name:______
Address:______
Phone:______
Fax:______
E-Mail:______
- Business Description – Briefly define and describe company’s business and product/service.
(ex. manufacturer of shoes; restaurant specializing in German cuisine; retailer of widgets, etc.)
- Business Plan– Include a summary of the company’s business plan. Include management team description.
- Products & Services – Describe company’s products and services. Why are products and services better than competitors? What gives the company the advantage? How is the company’s “cutting edge”? Without divulging proprietary information, describe future next steps to insure the advantage is maintained.
- Marketing & Sales– Briefly describe marketing strategies from the company’s business plan that have been successful. Without divulging proprietary information, please tell us how these strategies have affected the company’s sales.
- Measured Growth– Describe the growth the company has experienced. Will the business plan need to be amended for future growth? In your opinion, why is the Business plan working? What is not working that needs some adjustment? How many employees did the company start with and how many does it employ now? Please describe growth of the business over the next three years.
- Letters of Reference – Please provide (2) letters of reference, preferably from a customer/vendor, banker, accountant, or attorney.
Return respective nomination form fully completed; along with a high resolution logo and a current photo of your business/organization (to be used in recognition pieces) on disc or by e-mail to , or by mail to GWNC Chamber of Commerce, 1291 Faichney Drive, Suite 1, Watertown, NY 13601; Please call Alekzandra Huttemann-Kall at (315) 788-4400 to confirm submission has been received or for further information
Nomination deadline is Friday, January 6, 2016 at 4:00 pm
**A selection committee consisting of a diverse group of business and community leaders will review all nomination forms and will select the recipients based on a scoring system of criteria**
The Greater Watertown-North Country Farm & Craft Market Vendor of the Year
The Vendor of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Vendor for his/her work and accomplishments related to the GWNC Farm and Craft Market.
Eligibility Requirements
Nominations are open to all reserved vendors in good standing, who participated in the 2015 season, and have been a vendor at the market for at least three consecutive years. Vendors may nominate themselves or another market vendor. Nominees do not need to be a Chamber member. Please site specific examples.
Criteria:
- Customer Service
- Leadership
- Quality
- Professional and Community Involvement
2015 Vendor of the Year Nomination Form
NOMINEE
Date:______
Business Name:______
Name and Title of Primary Officer/Owner:______
Address:______
Phone:______
Fax:______
E-mail:______
NOMINATOR
Name:______
Business Name:______
Address:______
Phone:______
Fax:______
E-Mail:______
- Product – Please provide a brief description of product(s). Please include pictures of your product, and/or pictures taken throughout the market season of your sales or workshop area if possible.
- Customer Service – Nominee has established and maintains strong connection with customers, provides superior customer service, and uses creative marketing and displays to maintain a loyal customer base.
- Leadership – Nominee serves as a leader and a role model to other vendors, willingly sharing their knowledge with them and is committed to observing the rules and regulations of the market.
- Quality – Nominee continually ensures his/her product is of high quality and adds value to the quality of the market.
- Professional and Community Involvement – Describe the nominee’s involvement and participation in any trade associations and/or civic and community organizations.
- Letters of Reference – Please provide (2) letters of reference, preferably from a customer, fellow vendor, or community leader. Only 2 letters required total.
Return respective nomination form fully completed; along with a high resolution logo and a current photo of your business/organization (to be used in recognition pieces) on disc or by e-mail to , or by mail to GWNC Chamber of Commerce, 1291 Faichney Drive, Suite 1, Watertown, NY 13601; Please call Alekzandra Huttemann-Kall at (315) 788-4400 to confirm submission has been received or for further information
Nomination deadline is Friday, January 6, 2016 at 4:00 pm
**A selection committee consisting of a diverse group of business and community leaders will review all nomination forms and will select the recipients based on a scoring system of criteria**
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