The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence recognize excellence in businesses located in Oakville. The Rotary Club of Oakville West, in association with the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, organizes these annual business awards. This years ceremony was held at Rattlesnake Golf and Country Club on February 4th 2003.

2002 Nominees and Winners

Photo Gallery from the 2002 Awards Dinner

View past nominees and winners

What are the OABE categories ?

Entrepreneur Of The Year – This award recognizes an individual who has introduced a new, different or unique business concept where the element of risk is significant and where a track record of success is clearly evident.

Manufacturer/Distributor Of The Year – This award recognizes a business involved in the fabrication, manufacturing, assembling, or distribution of goods.

Retailer Of The Year – This award recognizes a retail business.

General Service Provider Of The Year – This award recognizes a business, which provides service in areas such areas as but not, limited to … legal, financial, automotive, and professional.

Tourism/Hospitality Provider Of The Year – This awards recognizes businesses, which provide services, related to the tourism and hospitality sectors. The service areas include but are not limited to … hotels, restaurants, catering, bars, destination or attraction operators.

How many trophies are given out ?

A total of fifteen trophies are given out … three in each category. The Judges select three finalists in each category. Of the three finalists, one is typically selected as the winner (although the Judges reserve the right to designate a large and small winner in a category when appropriate).

Who is eligible to win an OABE ?

This competition is open to Oakville businesses, which have existed for a minimum of two years. The business must be located in the Town of Oakville.

What about small businesses ? How large does a business have to be, in order to be nominated ?

Size doesn’t matter ! The Judges are looking for excellence in business, not size. To ensure that small businesses (defined as 15 employees or less) can compete on an equal footing with large corporations, the Judges have the discretion of naming two winners in a category, if they feel that is appropriate.

Who is not eligible to win an OABE?

These are business awards; therefore the competition is not open to associations, centres or organizations, which operate on a not-for-profit or non-profit basis. Businesses that have won a OABE in the past three years are not eligible to win in the same category. They may however win in a different category. The competition is also not open to the Judges or their employers, or to members of the OABE Organizing Committee or their employers.

How is a business nominated for an OABE ?

Oakville businesses can self nominate -- or be nominated by their suppliers or customers Nomination forms will be available by October 1st through the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, and at the web site of the Rotary Club of Oakville West (www.oakvillerotary.org). The deadline for nominations is October 31st.

What if I am not certain about the appropriate category ?

Don’t worry; the Judges reserve the right to move a nomination to a more appropriate category, if necessary.

Do I have obtain a company’s permission before nominating them ?

Not necessarily. Businesses are usually honoured and flattered to be nominated by their customer or suppliers even without consultation.

What does a nominated company have to do to participate in the Oakville Awards for
Business Excellence ?

All eligible nominees will be contacted and invited to submit information for the Judges’consideration. The Judges do not probe commercially sensitive information, but ask nominees general questions such as:

What differentiates you, in your business ?
Why do employees want to work for you?
What has been the growth of your business since it was formed?
How you and your business give back to the community?
How you demonstrate customer service?

When are the Awards presented ?

The Gala for the 2002 Oakville Awards for Business Excellence will be held next February 4th at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club. Click to view map

What are the sponsorship opportunities associated with the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence Gala ?

Sponsorships are still available for the 2002 Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE) ... a joint project of the Rotary Club of Oakville West (RCOW) and the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. The annual OABE Gala raises the funds for RCOW’s scholarship program. The next Gala will be held on February 5th, 2002 at RattleSnake Point Golf Club.

Platinum Level - $ 10,000
Corporate identity on OABE promotional materials.
Recognition in the Gala program, and on the ‘big screens’.
Recognition and logo in Oakville media.
Screening of corporate video at the Gala.
An opportunity to speak at the Gala.
10 Gala tickets.

Gold Level - $ 5,000
Corporate identity on OABE promotional materials.
Recognition in the Gala program, and on the ‘big screens’.
Recognition and logo in Oakville media.
Introduction of Corporate Representative at the Gala.
An opportunity to present one of the trophies.
10 Gala tickets.

Silver Level - $ 1,500
Corporate identity on OABE promotional materials.
Recognition in the Gala program, and on the ‘big screens’.
Recognition in Oakville media.
Introduction of Corporate Representative at the Gala.
2 Gala tickets.

Bronze Level - $ 200
Recognition in the Gala program, and on the ‘big screens’.
Recognition in Oakville media.

Note: All information contained above is subject to change without notice