People often ask how winners are chosen for the annual Powell River Chamber of Commerce Business Awards that takes place on Saturday, February 3 at Dwight Hall. Here, some of the most frequently asked questions about the judging process are answered by Chamber manager Kim Miller.
Who picks the winners?
A judging panel consisting of seven businessmen and women who are sequestered for three to five hours to go through all the nominations and have a discussion about each one. There is a chief judge as well as a tie-breaker. At least three judges are changed every three years.
Who are the judges?
Judges come from all sectors of the Powell River business community including financial, retail, hospitality, media, non- profit and home business. Chamber manager Kim Miller does not sit on the judging panel and there is only one chamber board member on the panel. This is a stand-alone committee.
How do judges learn about nominated businesses?
Every business that is nominated is sent a form that asks them to explain what their business does. These forms are like a business bio. Judges find it helpful when businesses take the time to fill out these forms because not all judges know a lot about every business in Powell River. It helps judges make informed decisions when they know more about businesses nominated.
Why should people nominate businesses?
The Chamber business awards celebrate and recognize excellence in business in Powell River. If nobody takes the time to nominate the best restaurant in Powell River, it can’t win even though everyone knows it is the best restaurant!
“We can only go by nominations sent in from the community,” says Kim. “I have had people ask me why a certain business didn’t win, and all I can say is well, if they weren’t nominated, they will not be on the list that goes to the judging committee.”
These awards are for the community to nominate their favorites.
Every single business or organization fits under at least one of the categories on the nomination forms that have appeared in the November, December and January (Page 14) issues of Powell River Living. The deadline for nominations is January 19.
