The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its Small Business Leader Awards.
The awards recognize businesses and individuals in five categories: EcoBusiness, Adapt and Innovate, Diversity Leadership, Emerging Excellence, and Young Professional Leadership. Winners will be honored during a ceremony on Nov. 15.
For several years, the award categories have been limited to companies that generate more or less than $1 million in revenue. The Chamber and awards committee decided to expand the award categories to reach out to more business owners and showcase the diversity that exists locally.
“Many times, business owners are so focused on growing their enterprises that they don’t recognize the contributions they are making to this region,” says Michael Dalby, president and CEO of The Chamber. “By nominating fellow entrepreneurs for the Small Business Leader Awards, you can celebrate the success of people who help drive our economy forward and help the Chamber put small business in the spotlight.”
The EcoBusiness award recognizes companies who promote sustainability in business practices and the environment. The Adapt and Innovate award honors a business leader who achieves success in spite of challenges. The Diversity Leadership award recognizes a minority or woman-owned business leader who has made a direct impact on the marketplace and promotes inclusion in the workplace, as well as within the community.
The Emerging Excellence award acknowledges a leader or leaders of a startup business gaining prominence within the region. The Young Professional Leadership award recognizes a young, local business professional already making a considerable contribution within the region.
In general, eligible nominees are businesses with fewer than 500 employees and any small business leader in the Columbus region; award finalists must be members of The Chamber. To learn what criteria awardees must meet for each category, click here.
Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on July 21. To complete a nomination form, click here.
The Small Business Leader Awards were established in 1985. To visit the Hall of Fame, click here.
To learn more about the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, visit Columbus.org.
