The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce's Outstanding Business Achievement Awards Business proudly recognizes the overall success and excellence of our city's businesses, charity / not-for-profit organizations, and exceptional business leaders.
Please only nominate a business or individual in ONE (1) category. If you are nominated in more than one category, the Hamilton Chamber will reach out to determine the best category for your business.
Any individual can make nominations (including self-nominations) for any of the categories according to the criteria outlined for each Award. Chamber membership is not required to be nominated for, or be a recipient of, an Outstanding Business Achievement Award.
Nominations close on Thursday, February 6th at 11:59pm.
If you're unsure if the business you are nominating has won already or have any questions about the awards, please contact Katie Stiel by email k.stiel@hamiltonchamber.ca. Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:
Century Award
Requirements
This award honours businesses that have been serving Hamilton for over 100 years.
Please fill out the required fields and the Hamilton Chamber will follow up with the businesses who are nominated.
Not-for-Profit Award
Requirements
The awards will be presented to a not-for-profit organization that operates in Hamilton. The company must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years.
The award will be presented to a designated official at the event on March 26th, 2025.
All documents and information submitted may be utilized to create a brief video presentation which will be shown during the awards evening, however if there is information which you are providing to us which may be of a confidential nature (i.e. financial statements, stock reports, etc.) please clearly identify as CONFIDENTIAL and this information will not be utilized or made public.
The winners may be required to participate in media coverage of the award.
Finalists will be required to purchase their own tickets to the Gala.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Short-term and Long-term goals | 30.0% |
| Challenges | 25.0% |
| Successes | 25.0% |
| Giving back to the community | 10.0% |
| Awards & Extras | 10.0% |
CEO of the Year Award
Requirements
The CEO of the Year Award is awarded to a President or CEO in Hamilton with exceptional leadership over the past 12 months, bringing their organization to a new level of growth and success as defined by their industry.
Business and Not-For-Profit CEOs are eligible to apply/be nominated.
- Has a prominent business presence in Hamilton and is in good financial standing.
- Is a proven achiever and strong contributor to the company, industry and economy.
- Has been in the CEO (or President) role for minimum 12 months (at time of nomination).
- Exemplifies leadership, integrity, excellence, innovativeness, vision and sustained performance.
- Prioritizes employee engagement, leadership development and internal people processes.
- Provide examples of 2 clearly defined accomplishments.
The award will be presented to a designated company official at the event on March 26th, 2025.
All documents and information submitted may be utilized to create a brief video presentation which will be shown during the awards ceremony, however if there is information which you are providing to us which may be of a confidential nature (i.e. financial statements, stock reports, etc.) please clearly identify as CONFIDENTIAL and this information will not be utilized or made public.
The winners may be required to participate in media coverage of the award.
Finalists will be required to purchase their own tickets to the event.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Prioritizes employee engagement, leadership development and internal people processes. | 30.0% |
| Exemplifies leadership, integrity, excellence, innovativeness, vision and sustained performance. | 30.0% |
| Contributor to the company, industry and economy. | 30.0% |
| Awards & Extras | 10.0% |
Citizen of the Year Award Recipient
Requirements
Individuals must have performed the act for which they are being nominated in a voluntary capacity in the community, over and above those required of them in the performance of their regular professional duties. Or, in the course of their professional activity, have brought outstanding/remarkable attention to the community on a provincial, national or international basis.
Criteria Includes:
• Leadership
• Volunteerism
• Community Benefits
• Commitment
• Good Citizenship
• Hamilton Resident
• Brings awareness of the community outside town boundaries
Nominator must provide:
1. 300-word biography of the Citizen being nominated
2. Three (3) additional letters of support from other members of the community. These can be e-mailed to Katie at: k.stiel@hamiltonchamber.ca or uploaded in your application. Please no hard copies.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Katie at k.stiel@hamiltonchamber.ca
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 14.3% |
| Volunteerism | 14.3% |
| Community Benefits | 14.3% |
| Commitment | 14.3% |
| Good Citizenship | 14.3% |
| Hamilton Resident | 14.3% |
| Brings awareness of the community outside town boundaries | 14.2% |
Large Business Award (50+ employees)
Requirements
The awards will be presented to a profit centered private business organization whose business achievement made an outstanding contribution to Hamilton in the past year.
The company must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years, and has 50+ employees.
The award will be presented to a designated company official at the event on March 26th, 2025.
All documents and information submitted may be utilized to create a brief video presentation which will be shown during the awards evening, however if there is information which you are providing to us which may be of a confidential nature (i.e. financial statements, stock reports, etc.) please clearly identify as CONFIDENTIAL and this information will not be utilized or made public.
The winners may be required to participate in media coverage of the award.
Finalists will be required to purchase their own tickets to the event.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Short-term and Long-term goals | 30.0% |
| Challenges | 25.0% |
| Successes | 25.0% |
| Giving back to the community | 10.0% |
| Awards & Extras | 10.0% |
Small Business Award (1-10 employees)
Requirements
The awards will be presented to a profit centered private business organization whose business achievement made an outstanding contribution to Hamilton in the past year.
The company must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years, and has 1-10 employees.
The award will be presented to a designated company official at the event on March 26th, 2025.
All documents and information submitted may be utilized to create a brief video presentation which will be shown during the awards ceremony, however if there is information which you are providing to us which may be of a confidential nature (i.e. financial statements, stock reports, etc.) please clearly identify as CONFIDENTIAL and this information will not be utilized or made public.
The winners may be required to participate in media coverage of the award.
Finalists will be required to purchase their own tickets to the event.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Short-term and Long-term goals | 30.0% |
| Challenges | 25.0% |
| Successes | 25.0% |
| Giving back to the community | 10.0% |
| Awards & Extras | 10.0% |
Mid-Sized Business Award (10-50 employees)
Requirements
The awards will be presented to a profit centered private business organization whose business achievement made an outstanding contribution to Hamilton in the past year.
The company must have been in business for a minimum of 3 years, and has 10-50 employees.
The award will be presented to a designated company at the event on March 26th, 2025.
All documents and information submitted may be utilized to create a brief video presentation which will be shown during the awards evening, however if there is information which you are providing to us which may be of a confidential nature (i.e. financial statements, stock reports, etc.) please clearly identify as CONFIDENTIAL and this information will not be utilized or made public.
The winners may be required to participate in media coverage of the award.
Finalists will be required to purchase their own tickets to the event.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Short-term and Long-term goals | 30.0% |
| Challenges | 25.0% |
| Successes | 25.0% |
| Giving back to the Community | 10.0% |
| Awards & Extras | 10.0% |
Young Entrepreneur & Professional Award
Requirements
The award will be presented to a young entrepreneur(s) (under 40 years-old) who owns and operates their own business in Hamilton. The company must have been in business for a minimum of 1 year.
The award will be presented to a designated official at the event on March 26th, 2025.
All documents and information submitted may be utilized to create a brief video presentation which will be shown during the awards evening, however if there is information which you are providing to us which may be of a confidential nature (i.e. financial statements, stock reports, etc.) please clearly identify as CONFIDENTIAL and this information will not be utilized or made public.
The winners may be required to participate in media coverage of the award.
Finalists will be required to purchase their own tickets to the Gala.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneurial Story | 40.0% |
| Short-term and Long-term goals | 30.0% |
| Challenges | 10.0% |
| Successes | 10.0% |
| Giving back to the community | 5.0% |
| Awards & Extras | 5.0% |
IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Award
Requirements
The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Award recognizes business excellence in supporting the creation of inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible workplaces.
Businesses and Not-For-Profits are eligible to apply/be nominated.
Criteria:
- Has/in the process of having a dedicated IDEA policy.
- Undertakes pro-active steps to recruit, retain, promote, and support under-represented groups.
- Demonstrates activities that have promoted an environment that is welcoming, supportive and nurturing of cultural, ethnic, racial, class, gender, sexual orientation, language and other human differences.
- Contributed to raising awareness and consciousness about inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility for the greater good of the Hamilton business community.
The award will be presented to a designated company official at the event on March 26th, 2025.
All documents and information submitted may be utilized to create a brief video presentation which will be shown during the awards ceremony, however if there is information which you are providing to us which may be of a confidential nature (i.e. financial statements, stock reports, etc.) please clearly identify as CONFIDENTIAL and this information will not be utilized or made public.
The winners may be required to participate in media coverage of the award.
Finalists will be required to purchase their own tickets to the event.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Contributed to raising awareness and consciousness about inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility for the greater good of the Hamilton business community | 30.0% |
| Undertakes pro-active steps to recruit, retain, promote, and support under-represented groups. | 30.0% |
| Demonstrates activities that have promoted an environment that is welcoming, supportive and nurturing of cultural, ethnic, racial, class, gender, sexual orientation, language and other human differences | 30.0% |
| Award Extras | 10.0% |
