The nominating process is changing for this year’s community business awards, Sarnia-Lambton’s chamber of commerce says.
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Businesses and individuals now will have to rely on others for nominations, which opened Friday for the 34th Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (OBAA), said Robin Cooke, the chamber’s marketing and events co-ordinator.
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“You cannot nominate yourself,” she said.
Hopes are customers and employees will nominate businesses, and business owners will nominate employees for the awards, to be presented at an Oct. 18 gala, she said.
Appointments close June 23.
There were 260 nominees across 12 categories for 2023’s awards, handed out at a sold-out 272-ticket gala at the Sunbridge Hotel in Point Edward, Cooke said.
“It’s growing,” she said, noting this year’s gala will be held at the Dante Club in Sarnia, which seats 320. “We hope to surpass 300 (nominees) this year.”
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Also different for 2024, the popular excellence in customer service award will go to individuals, not individuals and businesses, she said.
There are already three business-of-the-year awards — large, medium and small, based on number of employees — recognizing general excellence, she said.
“So sometimes we feel that the actual person on the ground, your employee, might be overlooked (and) . . . this just gives employees a chance to be recognized as well.”
Other awards that have drawn a lot of nominations in past years are entrepreneur of the year and young professional, she said.
Tickets went on sale Friday for the three-course-meal gala, with music and dancing, which recognizes all nominees, she said.
“We have to recognize the excellence of our business community,” she said. “It’s so varied. They work so hard. This is a big congratulations for providing Sarnia-Lambton with great businesses.”
Gala tickets are $110, or $840 for a table of eight, she said.
Tickets and nomination forms are available at slchamber.ca. Tickets are available under the members events tab.
“Anybody can be nominated,” Cooke added. “They don’t have to be a chamber member.”
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