Nomination & Eligibility
Nomination Region
Businesses, non-profits, and individuals operating within the following communities are eligible for nomination:
- Penticton
- Summerland
- Naramata
- Kaleden
- Okanagan Falls
- Oliver
- Osoyoos
- Keremeos
The Stage Is Set. Who Will You Nominate - Call for Nominations VIDEO LINK
Who Can Be Nominated
- Anyone can nominate a business, non-profit, or individual that demonstrates excellence in the nomination region.
- Only one nomination is required per nominee.
- Judging is not based on the number of nominations received.
- There is no cost to nominate or be nominated.
- Nominees do not need to be Chamber members.
- Self-nominations are accepted in all categories except:
- Young Business Leader of the Year
- Business Leader of the Year
General Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is based on the nominee's status as of September 1, 2025.
- Businesses must hold a valid business license, where applicable.
- Non-profit and charitable organizations must be registered as a society or charity.
- Nominees may only move forward in one award category.
- Nominees who have won in the same category within the past three years (2022, 2023, 2024) are not eligible for that category.
- Individual nominees (e.g., Young Business Leader or Business Leader) must be affiliated with an organization that meets the general eligibility requirements.
Nomination & Application Process
- The Chamber reviews all nominations to verify eligibility.
- Eligible nominees will be contacted via email by notify@awardify.io.
- Nominees will be invited to complete an online application specific to their award category.
- The Chamber may request additional information to support or complete an application.
- Incomplete or inaccurate applications may be disqualified without notice.
- The Chamber reserves the right to:
- Reassign nominees to a more appropriate category
- Remove a category from judging if fewer than three eligible applications are received
- Extend submission deadlines for specific categories if needed
Conflict of Interest Guidelines
To maintain fairness and transparency:
- All completed applications are reviewed independently by a Selection Committee using the Awardify platform.
- Judges score applications based solely on merit and the award criteria.
- Chamber board members, staff, judges, and sponsors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
- Individuals with a conflict must recuse themselves from any related discussions or decisions.
- Title Sponsor is not eligible for nomination in Business of the Year.
- Award Sponsors may not be nominated in the award category they sponsor.
- Chamber Board of Directors' businesses are not eligible for Business of the Year.
- All nominees and judges must agree to and follow the Business Excellence Awards Code of Conduct.
Category-Specific Eligibility
For-Profit Businesses
- Must be in continuous operation for at least 2 years (24 months) as of September 1, 2025.
- Not eligible for: Not-for-Profit Excellence Award.
Not-for-Profit Organizations
- Must be a registered society or charity.
- Must be in continuous operation for at least 2 years (24 months) as of September 1, 2025.
- Not eligible for:
- Hospitality Excellence
- Community Builder Excellence
- Service Excellence
- New Business of the Year
- Business of the Year
New Business of the Year
- For-profit businesses only.
- Must be in operation for a minimum of 1 year (12 months) and less than 3 years (under 36 months) as of September 1, 2025.
Young Business Leader of the Year
- Must be aged 19–39 as of September 1, 2025.
- Must have held an ownership, management, or leadership role for at least 2 years (not necessarily with the same business).
- Affiliated business or non-profit must meet general eligibility.
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
Business Leader of the Year
- Must be aged 40 or older as of September 1, 2025.
- Must have held an ownership, management, or leadership role for over 4 years (not necessarily with the same business).
- Affiliated business or non-profit must meet general eligibility.
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
Business of the Year
- Must be a for-profit business in continuous operation for at least 5 years (60 months) as of September 1, 2025.