Beanfield Centre, 105 Princes' Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
Sponsor an EventThe Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs) is the most recognized industry gala in the province with a single focus on celebrating business success.
The OBAAs, which celebrate incredible innovations and achievements, is unique in its engagement of a broad range of industry sectors and sizes from across the province. We will be celebrating this year on Thursday, November 14.
Nominations are now open for the 2019 Ontario Business Achievement Awards!
2019 OBAA Award Categories:
- Beyond Borders, Business Award
- CEO of the Year Award
- Diversity and Inclusion Award
- Excellence in Innovation Award
- Industry Award: Tourism
- Ontario Leader in Accessible Employment Award
- Sustainability Award
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Beyond Borders, Business Award
Description
The Beyond Borders Business Award recognizes a small (1-50 employees) or medium-sized business (50-500 employees) that has implemented an export strategy that has positively affected its bottom line.
Award Criteria:
- Prominent business presence in Ontario and in good financial standing.
- Small (1-50 employees) or Medium (50-500 employees) sized business.
- Demonstrated innovation through product/service development and commercialization leading to an expansion of global markets.
- Product and/or service must be manufactured and/or delivered from Ontario.
- Growth in export sales of at least 20 percent over the past year.
- Annual sales of over $5 million (if 50+ employees) and under $5 million (if 1-50 employees).
- Proven ability to create new jobs.
- Nominees to provide business plan/market entry plan, if available.
Nominate a business for the Beyond Borders, Business Award.
CEO of the Year Award
Description
The CEO of the Year Award is awarded to a CEO with exceptional leadership over the past 12 months, bringing their organization to a new level of growth and success as defined by their industry.
Award Criteria:
- Prominent business presence in Ontario and in good financial standing.
- Proven achiever and strong contributor to the company, industry and Ontario economy.
- In CEO (or President) role for minimum 12 months (at time of nomination).
- Exemplifies leadership, integrity, excellence, innovativeness, vision and sustained performance.
- Demonstrated customer value and shareholder value created.
- Employee engagement, leadership development and internal people processes.
- Clearly defined 2-4 major accomplishments.
Nominate an individual for the CEO of the Year Award.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Description
The Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes business excellence in supporting the creation of diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Award Criteria:
- Prominent business presence in Ontario and in good financial standing.
- Has a dedicated diversity and inclusion policy.
- Undertakes pro-active steps to recruit, retain, promote, and support under-represented groups.
- Demonstration of activities that have promoted an environment that is welcoming, supportive and nurturing of cultural, ethnic, racial, class, gender, sexual orientation, language and other human differences.
- Contributed to raising awareness and consciousness about diversity and inclusion for the greater good of the Ontario business community.
Nominate a business for the Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Excellence in Innovation Award
Description
The Excellence in Innovation Award is awarded to a business that exemplifies forward-thinking in all aspects of their business and contributes to our province’s success, helps shape our future and inspires the next generation.
Award Criteria:
- Prominent business presence in Ontario and in good financial standing.
- Demonstrated and measurable success in areas of innovation, service excellence, skills development or growth (sales, jobs, etc.).
- Prove your company is generating real business results through its’ work products or work-integrated learning activities with a measurable and meaningful impact.
- Provide a description on how your company is unique and innovative.
Nominate a business for the Excellence in Innovation Award.
Industry Award: Tourism
Description
The Ontario industry selected for the 2019 Industry Award is Tourism & Hospitality. This award recognizes a business’s hard work and accomplishments across the travel industry and an acknowledgement for outstanding customer satisfaction.
Award Criteria:
- Prominent business presence in Ontario and in good financial standing.
- Proven achiever and strong contributor to the tourism and hospitality industry.
- Exemplifies excellence, innovativeness, vision and sustained performance.
- Actively promoting, coordinating, or otherwise developing the tourism industry in Ontario.
- Demonstrated outstanding customer satisfaction.
- Provide 2-3 examples of how your business has positively impacted the local community and economy.
Nominate a business for the Industry Award for Tourism & Hospitality.
You might also be interested in these Tourism Industry Awards:
– Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence (nominations close June 26)
– Tourism Marketing & Travel Media Awards of Excellence (nominations close July 19)
Ontario Leader in Accessible Employment Award
Description
The Ontario Leader in Accessible Employment recognizes a business that has created an accessible work environment. This organization values the contributions of persons with disabilities and promotes the development of an inclusive workplace culture for all.
Award Criteria:
- Company must be rooted in Ontario and in good financial standing.
- Compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
- Company policies and procedures must foster accessible hiring, training and employment, and examples of how you promote an inclusive workplace culture, including:
- Make hiring accessible by notifying applicants of the availability to accommodate individuals with disabilities
- Tell staff about policies for supporting employees with disabilities
- Make information accessible to employees
- Help employees with disabilities stay safe
- Develop accommodation plans for employees with disabilities
- Help employees with disabilities return to work
- Make performance management, career development and job changes accessible to employees
Nominate a business for the Ontario Leader in Accessible Employment Award.
Sustainability Award
Description
The Sustainability Award is presented to the business who shows sustainable and long-term commitment to improving the quality of life in their community and is recognized as being a leader and/or has implemented an industry-leading environmental or corporate sustainability initiative.
Award Criteria:
- Prominent presence in business in Ontario and in good financial standing.
- Project or initiative is embedded within everyday business processes and planning with a positive impact on the community.
- Sustainability initiative that contributes positively to stakeholder engagement and community.
- Include two letters of reference from members of the community.
- Please provide 2-3 examples demonstrating your community influence.
Nominate a business for the Sustainability Award.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Description
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes an Ontario entrepreneur who has successfully built a unique and game-changing venture.
Award Criteria:
- Must be under 35 years of age (at the time of nomination).
- Launched a unique venture with demonstrable high sales potential.
- Commercial product and/or service on the market for a minimum of one fiscal year.
- Proven ability to establish strategic partnerships to commercialize product or service.
- 2 letters of reference in support of the nominee.
Nominate an Ontario entrepreneur for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.