Who can be nominated?

A business or organization does not need to be a Chamber member to be nominated, as long as they meet the eligibility guidelines.

Nominations are open to businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals located in Penticton and the surrounding areas (including Summerland, Naramata, Kaleden, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, and Keremeos).

A valid municipal business license is required where applicable. Non-profit or charitable organizations must be registered as a society or charity.

All businesses, non-profit organizations, and business and community leaders are eligible for nomination, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Can a business self-nominate? Yes, a business or organization can self-nominate. However, nominations for the Young Professional and Business Leader of the Year awards must come from someone other than the nominee.

Is there a fee to nominate for the awards? No, there is no cost to nominate a business or for a business to receive a nomination.

Do I need any special software to complete my entry? No, all you need is a web browser.

Submit Nomination Here:  View Eligibility Guidelines and Award Categories and Criteria

What Happens After I Nominate Someone?

  1. The nominee will receive an email notification of their nomination for a Business Excellence Award.
  2. The Chamber will contact the nominee by email and or phone to confirm their information. If we cannot reach the nominee after three attempts, their nomination will be rejected.
  3. Once the nomination is validated by the Chamber, eligible nominees will receive a 'What's Next' email within 5 business days of the nomination being received.
  4.  Nominee packages must be submitted prior to 11:59pm August 11, 2024 for review by the Selection Committee.

What's Next: The nominee will need to sign in to their account to agree to the code of conduct, accept the nomination, and complete the nominee package by the deadline—11:59 pm, August 11, 2024. Incomplete nominations will be rejected.

What if a Nominee Needs Help with the Online Form? They can contact our Chamber office to request help. If needed, we can arrange for Chamber Ambassadors to assist them through the process. This is a time-sensitive matter, so please notify us at least 5 days in advance to ensure we can provide the necessary support. 

Helpful Tips for Nominees | Tips for a Strong Award Application | Code of Conduct

Important Dates:

July 3 | Nominations Open

July 28 | Nominations Close

August 11 | Nominee Submission Deadline: All nominee questionnaires must be submitted by the end of the day.

August 13 - September 15 | Online Judging: Selection Committee Judges review completed nominee packages as part of the Award Judging Process

September 17 | Nominee Reception: Join us in celebrating all nominees and the reveal of the three finalists in each award category. Save the Date 5-7pm details will be updated shortly. 

September 19 - October 9 | In-Person Judging: Judges will contact finalists to schedule a date and time to learn more about the business. It's important to accommodate the judges for an in-person or Zoom meeting. The visit will take approximately 30 minutes. Please note that there will be 2-3 judges visiting your business the goal is for them to visit together.

Business Excellence Awards Gala: Luminous Night of Celebration | Saturday, October 19, 2024

  • Early Bird Tickets on Sale: August 19 - September 19
  • Regular Tickets on Sale: September 20 - October 14

Questions or Support: please contact the Chamber 778-476-3111 / info@penticton.org