The call for nominations has officially opened for the 21st Burnaby Business Excellence Awards, an awards program of the Burnaby Board of Trade in partnership with the City of Burnaby.
The BBEAs celebrate local businesses, non-profits and entrepreneurs for their successes, perseverance, innovations and commitment to community over the past year.
Nominations will be accepted for the 10 awards categories, which include a new award just for this year, the Burnaby Community Champion, that will be presented to an individual — a volunteer, front-line worker, or individual employee — who has made an outstanding personal contribution to Burnaby’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The other BBEA categories include Business of the Year, Business of the Year (up to 50 full-time employees), Environmental Sustainability, Burnaby Community Spirit, Business Innovation, Businessperson of the Year, Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Healthy Workplace.
“Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has presented, our business community has set itself apart by pivoting to new business models, doubling down on community commitments, and continuing to persevere, innovate and achieve,” said Paul Holden, president and CEO of the Burnaby Board of Trade. “The Burnaby Business Excellence Awards has always provided an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the importance of local businesses, and this year will be no exception.”
Nominations can be submitted online through the Burnaby Board of Trade’s website (BBOT.ca) or by email (awards@bbot.ca) until Aug. 14 at 5 p.m.
All nominees will be contacted and asked to provide a formal submission to the BBEA judging panel outlining their accomplishments and the reasons for their nomination. BBEA short-list finalists will be announced in October ahead of the presentation of the winners at the official Burnaby Business Excellence Awards event on Nov. 5.
Burnaby Business Excellence Awards Eligibility:
-
Nominees must have a business location in Burnaby and a valid Burnaby business licence, with the
exception of “Burnaby Community Champion” - Nominees for "Burnaby Community Champion" must be a Burnaby resident, or be a volunteer/employee of a Burnaby-based organization
- Self-Nominations are accepted and encouraged
- An award may not be issued for every category, depending on the applications received
- A nominee may be issued an award for a category other than the one for which they were nominated
- A business or individual is ineligible to win the same award category more than once in three years
- Not-for-Profit or charitable groups, private institutions and other non-government agencies are considered on the same basis as for-profit businesses with the exception of "Burnaby Community Spirit"
Award Categories and Descriptions:
Burnaby Community Spirit – For a business having demonstrated outstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility, strong support of local service agencies and not-for-profit community organizations, and outstanding community initiatives and activities specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business Innovation – For ingenuity and innovation in product design, marketing, science, technology, productivity, commercialization, business planning, employee training and other business activities in general, or specific to activities and initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Entrepreneurial Spirit – For having demonstrated a highly entrepreneurial approach to launching a new business or a new initiative within an existing business with significant results in key business metrics, including new businesses or new initiatives specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Environmental Sustainability – For a business that has made protecting, sustaining and enhancing natural resources an integral part of their business plan by adopting strategies and activities that reduce energy and materials consumption and/or eliminates waste and pollution, and for either the continued or enhanced commitment to these principles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthy Workplace – For a business that has recognized the value of employee health and wellness, and has created a workplace and culture which supports employees in their efforts to achieve work-life balance and to maintain and improve their physical, emotional and mental well-being, including specific initiatives and actions taken to support employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year – For a Not-For-Profit organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the Burnaby community and its citizens, including through activities and programming specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in doing so has made Burnaby a better place to live, work and play, and have contributed to the Burnaby community’s recovery.
Businessperson of the Year – For a local businessperson who, through their personal vision, expertise, dedication and performance in general or specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been an outstanding role model for business development and excellence.
Business of the Year (up to 50 employees) – For a Burnaby business employing up to 50 people which has made an outstanding contribution in the combined areas of business success, innovation and community service in Burnaby in general or specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business of the Year – For a business that has made an outstanding contribution in the combined areas of business success, innovation and community service in Burnaby in general or specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burnaby Community Champion - For a Burnaby resident, volunteer, or individual employee who through their own personal dedication, performance, and service greatly contributed to the Burnaby community’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
