FAQ
AWARDS + NOMINATIONS PROCESS
Who can I nominate? Who can be nominated?
Organizations with a location in HRM are eligible, with some exceptions. Each category has a few specific eligibility rules. You can view the full list of eligibility criteria HERE. We encourage self-nominations!
How do I nominate?
Click the "Nominate Now!" button in the top navigation. You will then be asked to create an account and confirm your email address. Once complete, you can nominate by entering the organization's contact person, email and choosing a category.
What if I don't know which category my nominee is in?
No problem! Choose any category and the nominee can change it once they accept their nomination.
Is there a fee to nominate or participate in the Awards?
No, the entire process is completely free for anyone eligible to participate.
What does it look like when a nominee receives their nomination?
The email will come from "notify@awardify.io". If you are unsure if it is a scam or a phishing attempt, please reach out to our team and we will confirm.
What happens after I nominate somebody?
The nominee will receive an automated email from the software informing them of their nomination. They then have to accept the nomination and complete a submission. Once their submission is complete and the judging period opens, the Judging Committee will review all completed submissions and rank the 35 finalists (5 in each category).
JUDGING PROCESS
How does judging work?
After you complete your submission, the judging committee will review and give you a score for each question. Each question has the same weight, so please ensure you are filling out each question as fully as you can. The judges will ONLY look at your submission - this is your chance to shine and showcase your organization. We encourage submitting reference letters but they will not be scored. They offer additional support for your submission. Once all scores are complete, there is one deliberation meeting to review all the finalists in each category (to address tie-breakers and confirm eligibility). The finalists and winners are all confirmed. *The winners do not know they are winners until the night of the Awards Gala.
What are the judges looking for?
The judges want the fullest picture possible of your organization. Each question provides an opportunity to share your organization's uniqueness and passion. Please provide as much detail as you can. You can view the judging criteria HERE.
Who are the judges?
The judging committee is an independent volunteer committee made up of five local business and community leaders from: Grant Thornton, CEED, Simply Good Form, TMSI and Black Business Initiative.
Can I send the judges additional information, on top of my submission?
No - the judges are only reviewing the content included in your submission. With more than 150 submissions every year, we need to ensure fairness among all nominees.
Do I have to submit a reference letter?
You do not have to submit a reference letter. We encourage you to submit the most full submission possible, which would include a reference letter, but it is not necessary. Judges use the submission to provide scores, so the more you can show your organization's uniqueness, the more likelihood the judges will score higher.
NEXT STEPS: FINALISTS
How will I know if I am a finalist?
Finalists are notified via email by Chamber staff during the first week of October. There will be a public announcement later in October - it will be posted on Chamber social media channels, on the Chamber website, and in the e-newsletter. Please note at this time we do not contact all submitters to inform them if they are not finalists, but if you are unsure by mid-October, you can reach out to the Chamber team to confirm.
What happens if I am a finalist?
Finalists have an exciting few months of publicity ahead of them! There will be a Finalist Orientation session to review the finalists handbook and the full process. We host a photoshoot for the cover of Business Voice magazine and host a videoshoot for content that will be played during the night-of Awards during October/November. Finalists attend a reception with sponsors and judges to celebrate their achievements, and then they attend the big show: the Awards Gala in January!
USING THE SOFTWARE
How do I create an account?
Click here to find the "create account" form. Fill in your name, contact information, and email and password, and you're set! When you sign up, you'll be logged in automatically and can start creating your entries right away.
Where do I go to submit entries?
When you first log into your account , you'll see a "Start a new entry" form. Simply choose which category you want to enter, title your entry, and click the "Start" button. In the form that loads, you will find all the information you need in order to submit an entry to your selected category. You don't have to complete your entry all in one sitting. Hit the "Save" button any time, and come back to it later.
Can I make changes to my entry after I've submitted it?
Yes, you can continue to edit your entries until the submission deadline. After the deadline, you will be able to view your entries, but the editing controls will be disabled.
Do I need any kind of special software to make my entries?
This awards system is entirely web-based. You can create your entries on your phone, iPad, laptop, or any computer. All you need is a browser.
How do you protect my information?
Your account is protected by industry-leading 4096-bit encryption, and the entire system is backed up every day.
