Guidelines and Instructions

All businesses, non-profit organizations, business and community leaders are eligible for nomination, provided they meet the following criteria and any specific criteria that may be noted in the Award Descriptions.

Criteria for Nominees:

• A Nominee may be a business, a not-for-profit organization, or an individual.

• Nominees must not have won a Alberni Valley Chamber Business Excellence Award in the award category nominated for in the past 3 years (includes 2020,2021, 2022).

• The Nominee (business, organization, or individual) is known to conduct their business/organization/themselves in a reputable manner.

• 'For profit' businesses must have been in operation a minimum of 2 years (24 months) (as of September 1st, 2024).

• Registered charities and/or not-for-profit organizations must have been in operation a minimum of 2 years (24 months) (as of September 1, 2024), and make a substantial contribution to the social well-being and significant impact in the community.

• Nominees for the ‘Rising Star Award' must have been in operation for less than 2 years (24 months) as of September 1, 2024.

• 'Business Excellence Award Nominees must have been operation a minimum of 4 years (48 months) as of September 1, 2024.

• Self-nominations for one's business/organization are permissible.

Ineligible for Business Excellence Awards:

• Alberni Valley Chamber Staff and their immediate family members are ineligible for any award.

• Alberni Valley Chamber Board of Directors are ineligible for the Rising Star and Business of the Year awards.

• The Title Sponsor is ineligible for the Business of the Year award.

• Award Sponsors are ineligible for the specific award category they are sponsoring.