Eligibility of Submissions

  • Any business or organization may be nominated for a Business Excellence Award (BEA), but they must be a member of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade (APBOT) in good standing at the time of the awards gala to be eligible to win.
  • A business or organization may only be nominated for one category (excluding the Business Person of the Year category). 
  • Winners may not be nominated again for a three-year period; however, an owner/employee of a winning business category may be nominated for Business Person of the Year within the three-year window, and similarly a Business Person of the Year winner may be nominated in the business categories within the three-year window.
  • APBOT council members are not eligible for the Business Person of the Year category.
  • Municipalities are not eligible for the Business Excellence Awards.

Nomination Process

  • Anyone can nominate a business or organization, including non-members, while members can nominate themselves.
  • It is the nominee's responsibility to confirm their participation in the nomination process by 11:59pm, July 8, 2024 .
  • Nominee Package Submissions must be turned in by 11:59pm, August 26, 2024; late submissions may only be accepted under what is determined to be exceptional circumstances by the APBOT, and only when prior notice is given.
  • Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges and must meet the award criteria, rules, and regulations in order to win. Judging is based solely on the information contained within the nomination package as provided by the nominee.
  • A minimum score of 65% must be reached in order to be considered for the finalist grouping.
  • If there are fewer than two nominees in any category, APBOT reserves the right to eliminate that category from the competition.
    • If the category is not eliminated, a minimum score of 80% must be reached in order to be considered the winner.
  • APBOT will select a panel of judges. Judges will not communicate with nominees regarding the awards or awards process. Judges' decisions are final.

Additional Rules

  • Receiving a Business Excellence Award is not meant as a business endorsement by the APBOT. 
  • Awards may be withheld in any category at the discretion of the judging committee.
  • Additional awards may be presented that are not listed in the BEA categories.
  • Submissions should be focused on the business/organization's achievements and success, based upon the category in which you are nominated, except for the Business Person of the Year category in which the focus is on the individual's achievements. 
  • A company or person need not excel in all areas of the listed criteria but should not have a negative record in any one area. Scoring sheets will be provided to each nominee with a further break-down of the criteria.
  • Submissions will be made using the provided electronic forms and meet the prescribed character limits laid out in these forms.
    All submissions must be made in writing. Video and audio files will only be accepted when provided as supporting evidence.
  • Nominees may submit a maximum of three (3) Testimonial Letters in the form of criteria evidence. Other forms of evidence include, but are not limited to, photos, certificates of recognition, screenshots from social media, media releases, workplace policy books, etc.
  • APBOT reserves the right to disqualify incomplete submissions.
  • All entrants agree to be bound by these rules.

Please reach out to our office should you have any questions (905) 686-0883.