Businesses across the area will be offered an excellent opportunity to promote and increase the visibility of their businesses again this year with the 7th Annual Saugeen Territory Awards of Recognition and Success (STARS in business Awards).
Planning is well underway for the 2009 awards, with the deadline for nominations set for September 17th. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the gala event on October 28, 2009 at the Mount Forest & District Sports Complex.
“This is an excellent way to get out there and put your name and your business in front of business colleagues and potential customers,” says Project Manager Dave Barrett of the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), which presents the awards in partnership with Industry Canada and corporate and award sponsors. “Every year we have more businesses wanting to get involved. It’s a great way not only to get some recognition, but also to boost the morale of employees and show how very successful business in the Saugeen Territory can be.”
The STARS in business Awards cover a wide area of the local business community including, the municipalities of Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Minto, Southgate and Wellington North. Every year winners are selected in six categories: Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Entrepreneur of the Year; Company of the Year (over 15 employees); Company of the Year (under 15 employees); Customer Service Excellence; Corporate Citizen of the Year.
Nominations are open to businesses and entrepreneurs within the designated awards area, and are coordinated by local Chambers of Commerce, who assists with the awards through representation on the volunteer organizing committee.
“It’s important to get the word out to all our area businesses,” said Barrett, who added the committee depends on the input of local Chamber’s to get the word out to local businesses in each Chamber’s area. “We can’t know every business, though we try.
The deadline for nominations is September 17th, 2009. Nomination forms are available online at www.sbdc.ca/starhome or by calling the SEDC at 519-364-3694. Local Chambers will also have nomination forms available, and may be able to assist with tips on completing the forms, as there will be sample forms this year to assist in nominations.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels. This year’s corporate sponsors are CIBC, CKNX Radio, Musashi Auto Parts, and EastLink leaving room for an additional two sponsors. Award sponsorships have sold out this year with sponsors BDO Dunwoody, CIBC, TD Canada Trust, Township of Wellington North, Union Gas Ltd.,
and Wightman Telecom Limited all returning to support the project. Executive, Event and Table sponsorships are available. Each sponsor level has benefits to business. Details may be found at the www.sbdc.ca stars section.
Tickets to the gala evening are $40 each. They are on sale now online or by calling the SEDC office. For more information or to discuss your involvement in this worthwhile business event, please call Project Coordinator Claudia Switzer at the SEDC at 519-364-3694.
