Celebrating Success of Downtown Businesses!

There are many downtown businesses working hard to improve not only their own business, but the larger downtown community. The Downtown BIZ is asking you to help us recognize these businesses by submitting nominations for the 2nd Annual Downtown BIZ Achievement Awards. Four individuals who have contributed to the vitality of downtown will be presented with awards at the Downtown BIZ Annual General Meeting in November. We hope you will join us in celebrating downtown businesses and individuals who have demonstrated leadership, creativity and integrity in operating a successful business in downtown.  Meet the winners from 2005!

Nominate yourself or others by completing the application form or call the BIZ office at 958-4640.

Entry deadline is Friday, November 10, 2006.

All nominees must be Downtown BIZ members, with the exception of the "Building on Momentum" Award.

Click here for Rules & Nomination Form (PDF)

Who Can Enter

• Any member of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, and Downtown business operators, with the exception of the “Building on Momentum” Award (open to anyone, not just BIZ members).
• The nominee must be the owner, partner, or major shareholder of the business and active in its day-to- day operations.
• The nominee’s business must be financially stable.
• For the new small business categorie, only businesses operational January 1st, 2005 (or later)are eligible.

Categories

Bright Future Award: Downtown Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Young entrepreneur business start-ups and expansions represent the future of downtown. This award will recognize a young entrepreneur, under the age of 35, who has shown innovation and commitment to downtown Winnipeg.

Building on Momentum Award: Best Business Contributing to Downtown Revitalization
This award will recognize the investments made by an organization that has created new retail, commercial, housing, entertainment or other business opportunities which attract people to live, work, shop and play downtown.

Speaking from Experience Award: Best Long-term Entrepreneur Commitment to Downtown
This award will recognize a business who made a long-term commitment to downtown (located downtown over 10 years as of January 1, 2006). Through growth and economic uncertainty, this business has provided a positive foundation.

New Small Biz, Big Heart: Best New Small Business
Unique, local small business is a key ingredient in distinguishing downtown from other business districts. This award will recognize a new (opened after January 1, 2005) small business that excels in customer service and unique product offering.

Judges

Rules

• Impartial adjudicators will judge entries.
• You can enter more than one category.
• The person responsible for submitting the entry must sign completed forms.
• The closing date for entries is Friday, Novemeber 10, 2006.
• The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Four finalists will be short listed for each award.
• Finalists will be announced one week prior to the Downtown BIZ Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Winner will not be announced until the 2006 Downtown BIZ AGM.

To Enter

• Complete the nomination form.
• Submit a brief description (maximum two pages) of the nominated business/individual’s achievements with regard to:
• Growth and Stability
• Workplace Innovation
• Community Contribution
• Impact on Downtown Winnipeg
• Use either a point-form or narrative format and include enough detail for the judging panel to evaluate the significance of the achievements.
• List or attach any additional information (e.g. brochure, photo, news clipping, etc.) you believe is important relative to the category you have entered. (Not required)
• Submit by 5:00 pm on Friday, November 10, 2006.