Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

Small Business of the Year Awards Nomination Form

Awards

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce is seeking applications for Small Business of the Year Awards.  The Chamber’s will announce up to THREE winners in each category at the Business Awards Dinner and the winners will represent Carroll County Chamber of Commerce in the Maryland Small Business of the Year Awards.

Founded in 2001, the Maryland Small Business of the Year Awards program is designed to recognize the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by small businesses in Maryland.

Categories

1. Small Business of the Year: 1-5 Employees         

2. Small Business of the Year: 6-50 Employees

3. Small Business of the Year: 51-200 Employees

Eligibility

Nominees must:

• Have a permanent business location with employee(s) in Maryland.
• Have been in operation for a minimum of two years.
• Be a member of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
• Submit a nomination package that addresses the award criteria – see page 2.

Nomination Package

Submit one copy. Your nomination package should include:

1. The enclosed form and up to four additional pages addressing the award criteria on standard 8.5” x 11” white paper, 12 point font.
2. Exhibits (photocopied material, news stories, testimonials, etc.) that support the nomination are welcomed but should not exceed five additional pages.

Submit Your Nomination

Nominations must be received by October 1, 2008.

Any Questions?

Contact Peggy Soper at 410-848-9050 X 1 or email:psoper@carrollcountychamber.org

Small Business of the Year Awards Nomination Form

 Criteria

Small Business of the Year: All Categories

Use up to four additional pages to address the criteria. Each of the five criteria should be separated into its own section.  The bulleted descriptions are simply guidelines. Feel free to elaborate further. 

I. Performance & Growth

• Sales, profit, customer growth

II. Innovation & Creativity

• Innovative products and services, customer service, management, staff development, marketing, etc.

III. Competitiveness

• How did your company overcome its greatest obstacles and challenges?
• Describe any strategies that have helped you separate from your competition and/or better serve your customers.

IV. Community involvement

• How does your business give back to the community – time, money, resources etc.?
• Memberships or participation in chambers of commerce, associations or other organizations that service the community.

V. Provide a brief statement as to why your business should be named Small Business of the Year.

Small Business of the Year Awards Nomination Form

Company Information

Select the Award:

              ___ Small Business of the Year: 1-5 Employees

              ___ Small Business of the Year: 6-50 Employees

              ___ Small Business of the Year: 51-200 Employees

Company:_______________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

City: _________________________         State:________             Zip:__________________

Contact Name: ______________________     Email:_______________________________

Ph:______________________________      Fax:________________________________

General Information

Number of Years in Business: ______             Number of Employees: ______

In what industry is your business?

What are your principal products and/or services?

Who are your primary customers?

Please provide a brief history of your business (e.g. how it started, major changes, developments)  

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 1, 2008. 

Your nomination package should include:

1. The enclosed form (Page 4) and up to four additional pages addressing the 5 award criteria on standard 8.5” x 11” white paper, 12 point font.
2. Exhibits (photocopied material, news stories, testimonials, etc.) that support the nomination are welcomed but should not exceed five additional pages.