The nominee should be an individual or company who demonstrates excellence in commitment to the regional business community by meeting three or more of the following criteria: Recruitment of new business to the county; enhancement of the county’s image; involvement in community projects; introduction and/or use of new technologies; provides leadership in the business community; actively supports legislative/regulatory action on behalf of business; increases local employment opportunities; operates a successful, stable, entrepreneurial enterprise; creatively overcoming business adversity.

Award Categories

VOICE OF BUSINESS: Individual or company who demonstrates excellence in commitment to the county business community by meeting three or more of the following criteria: Recruitment of new business to the county; enhancement of the county’s image; involvement in the community projects; introduction and/or use of new technologies; provides leadership in the business community; actively supports legislative/regulatory action on behalf of business; increases local employment opportunities; operates a successful, stable, entrepreneurial enterprise; creatively overcoming business adversity.

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE: Nominees will be judged from three different business size categories (criteria for each will be the same): Fewer than 25 employees, 26-100 employees, 101+ employees. Company demonstrates excellence in commitment to business and economic development of Burlington County through increasing local employment opportunities; leadership and commitment to the community through their involvement in community activities/volunteer work on community projects; strategic partnerships with other Burlington County companies to promote business within the county; entrepreneurial spirit.

PERSONAL EXCELLENCE: Nominees will be judged for two different business size categories (criteria for each will be the same): Fewer than 25 employees or 26+ employees. Individual exemplifies the mission and vision of their employer; serves as a role model for others; demonstrates leadership & commitment to the community through their involvement in community activities/volunteer work on community projects; demonstrates a positive impact on the Burlington County business community.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Nominee can be an individual, company or organization including local business associations such as Urban Enterprise Zones, Main Street organizations and Economic Development officials. Nominee demonstrates proactive involvement in promoting business/ community growth or revitalization in Burlington County and demonstrates significant commitment in supporting the Burlington County business community. 

PUBLIC VOICE: Elected official or government entity at the municipal, county, state or national level; if a nominee is an individual, he/she must have served in an elected capacity for a minimum of two years (past or present); proven ally to the business community and helped enrich the area’s economic development; nominee’s actions have resulted in a strong, positive business climate in Burlington County.

NEW VOICE: Business in operation, full time, 12 months - 5 years; demonstrates a commitment to grow the business in Burlington County; demonstrates a successful launch of an entrepreneurial enterprise with potential for long-term growth; explain why the nominee is a role model in business; must be a for-profit entity to qualify. 

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT: Non-profit organization/agency that makes Burlington County a better place; demonstrates evidence that the nominee has made a positive impact on the lives of Burlington County Residents; nominator must explain what the nominee has done in the community, with specific examples of its good work.

OUTSTANDING MAIN STREET BUSINESS: The nominee must be a for-profit, independent business that sells a product directly to consumers. Retailers, restaurants, bakeries, and similar businesses are eligible for this award. Nominee demonstrates excellence in commitment to business and community development of their town and Burlington County through involvement in local community service and activities; active promotion of local community activities; innovation in marketing & visibility; creative partnerships; and demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit.
 

OUTSTANDING YOUNG PROFESSIONAL: Honors an outstanding member of the Burlington County business community under 40 years of age who is considered a role model and demonstrates outstanding leadership in business, commitment to the community through active community involvement, and must work for a Burlington County Chamber of Commerce member or be employed by a business located in Burlington County.

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEADER IN BUSINESS: The Outstanding Female Leader in Business Award honors a woman in business who has demonstrated excellence in commitment to the business and economic development of Burlington County and the advancement of women in business and her industry. Female business owners and executives are eligible for the award. The requirements are: increasing local employment opportunities & promotions for women in business, demonstrating leadership & commitment to the community through their involvement in community activities/volunteer work on community projects particularly those that empower women & future women in business, exhibiting the use of strategic partnerships with other Burlington County companies to promote business within Burlington County, mentoring of women in business.