December 1: Nominate & Vote Now! Small Business BC Successful You Awards

Vancouver - Deadline for nominations and online votes for the 8th Annual Small Business BC Successful You Awards is fast approaching, closing on December 15, 2010! Small Business BC (SBBC), in association with title sponsor, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), proudly host the Successful You Awards, a province-wide event that recognizes and celebrates the important contributions B.C.’s entrepreneurs make to their local communities and global economy. The Awards are free to enter and open to all new and existing B.C. businesses.

The winners in each of the following award categories will gain prestigious local, regional and national exposure and recognition.

• Best Concept Award, sponsored by Certified General Accountants of BC, will recognize the top nominee based on nomination votes and a comprehensive executive summary that best demonstrates a viable business concept.  
• Best Company Award, sponsored by TELUS, will recognize the top nominee based on nomination votes and financial information that best demonstrates exceptional leadership as well as a proven track record of growth and profitability.
• Best Green Business, sponsored by BC Hydro, will recognize the top nominee based on nomination votes and who best demonstrates a strong approach to energy management and an ongoing commitment to energy conservation and sustainability in B.C.
• Best Employer, sponsored by WorkSafeBC, will recognize the nominee based on nomination votes and who best demonstrates outstanding leadership in the workplace and in the community; understands the value of their customer and their employees, while making a positive impact on the well-being of their employees and their community.  

Third-party and self-nominations will be accepted for all award categories.  Nominees will have the opportunity to share their nominations through their social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, to cast their votes. All votes will be normalized according to the 2009 B.C. Regional District population figures in order to create equal opportunity for small businesses across B.C. 

The top ten small businesses, in each category, will be determined by online voting and announced on December 20, 2010. They will then be required to complete an application form and provide supporting materials.  A panel of judges will review the submitted applications, based on the identified award criteria and select the top five finalists in each category.  These finalists will be asked to present a ten minute business pitch, following which the judges will have the opportunity to pose questions.

Important contest deadlines and events are as follows:

• Nomination Deadline: December 15, 2010
• Announce Top 10 Shortlist: December 20, 2010
• Shortlist Application Deadline: January 11, 2011
• Announce Top 5 Finalists: February 15, 2011
• Top 5 Finalists Business Pitch Presentations: February 22 – March 15, 2011
• Successful You Awards Ceremony: March 29, 2011

For more information on the how to nominate and vote for a B.C. small business, go to the Successful You Awards website.

Media Inquiries: Candice Macalino, Small Business BC, 604-775-6255 or macalino.candice@smallbusinessbc.ca    

About Small Business BC: Small Business BC provides advisory services, education and community to help entrepreneurs succeed in all stages of business. Small Business BC is supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Ministry of Finance. For more information, visit www.smallbusinessbc.ca.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada: Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.
For more information, visit www.ibc.ca.