Business Excellence Awards
Honoring Our Region’s Top Businesses
For over 20 years, the Business Excellence Awards celebration attracts hundreds of prominent business leaders to recognize the people and companies that have demonstrated unique vision, innovation and achievement in support of our region’s economy.
This year’s event may look different. But rest assured that we will celebrate the innovation, resiliency, and success of our businesses during these unprecedented times. Nominations for the 2020 Business Excellence Awards will be open soon.
About the Awards
Businesses and nonprofits are recognized for their creativity, vitality, stability and contribution to Dutchess County growth. Winners have demonstrated commitment to the advancement of the business community an impact on the lives of our citizens by creating jobs and increasing the tax base. Over the years, the scope of the Excellence Awards has grown to acknowledge leaders in innovation and significant individual contribution towards Dutchess County’s economic resilience and success.
Nomination and Selection
Nominate a business, or your own business, for a 2020 Business Excellence Award!
Anyone can nominate a Dutchess County Business (self-nominations are encouraged) for a Business Excellence Award. Please note, you should have detailed knowledge of the businesses including financial success, projections, job creation, and overall mission. Previous winners must wait five years before applying for the same award. However, past winners can be nominated in a different category. An independent selection committee will choose the winners of each category, as well as the Grand Award/Business of the Year, from the applications received.
Stay tuned for the updated nomination form. For a list of past winners, Click Here.
Award Categories and Criteria
Small Business of the Year
The Small Business of the Year Award is open to any Dutchess County Business with 5-49 employees (including an owner which is involved in day-to-day operations). Special attention will be given to businesses that demonstrated an ability to pivot and provide continued services to their customers and/or community despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judging Criteria:
- Current business performance
- Strength, resilience and creativity related to the COVID pandemic
- Demonstrated ability to overcome and respond to changes in market or extraordinary circumstance
- Business growth over the last 24 month period
- Future growth potential
- Key differentiation factors and competitive analysis
Rules for Nominations:
- Submit completed document online or download the PDF to rachel@thinkdutchess.com with the subject “BEA Nomination” by Monday, August 24th, 2020 11:59 pm
- Self-nominations will be accepted
- Award recipients within the last five years cannot apply for the same award category. However, past winners can apply for other categories
- Judges may select businesses for categories outside of their application if a business meets the qualification criteria.
- Judges decisions will be final and no correspondence will follow submissions
Large Business of the Year
The Large Business of the Year Awards is open to any Dutchess County Business with more than 50 employees. Special attention will be given to businesses that demonstrated an ability to pivot and provide continued services to their customers and/or community despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judging Criteria:
- Business growth and potential
- Strength, resilience and creativity related to the COVID pandemic
- Competitive analysis and understanding of market
- Clear vision and strategic objectives for future growth
- Demonstrated ability to overcome and respond to changes in market or extraordinary circumstance
- Commitment to the local community including local job creation
Rules for Nominations:
- Submit completed document online or download the PDF and submit to rachel@thinkdutchess.com with the subject “BEA Nomination” by Monday, August 24th, 2020 11:59 pm
- Self-nominations will be accepted
- Award recipients within the last five years cannot apply for the same award category. However, past winners can apply for other categories
- Judges may select businesses for categories outside of their application if a business meets the qualification criteria.
- Judges decisions will be final and no correspondence will follow submissions
Nonprofit of the Year
The Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes a community agency for its efforts in making Dutchess County a better place to live and work. The award is open to any Dutchess County-based 501(c)(3), irrespective of size and budget, which encourages economic activity in local communities, provides employment opportunities and demonstrates superior performance, quality and consistency in pursuit of its mission. Special attention will be given to organizations that demonstrated an ability to pivot and provide continued services to their customers and/or community despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judging Criteria:
- Impact on population served
- Strength, resilience and creativity related to the COVID pandemic
- Enrichment of company mission through innovative approaches
- Community involvement and outreach
- Commitment to staff and volunteers
Rules for Nominations:
- Submit completed document online or download the PDF and submit to rachel@thinkdutchess.com with the subject “BEA Nomination” by Monday, August 24th, 2020 11:59 pm
- Self-nominations will be accepted
- Award recipients within the last five years cannot apply for the same award category. However, past winners can apply for other categories
- Judges may select businesses for categories outside of their application if a business meets the qualification criteria.
- Judges decisions will be final and no correspondence will follow submissions
Innovator of the Year
The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes the organizations and people who bring new ideas to life. The award is open to any Dutchess County organization, public or private, irrespective of size or industry sector, which has developed and brought to market a unique product or service which advances and adds value to the local job market, industry and society as a whole. Special attention will be given to organizations that demonstrated an ability to pivot and provide continued services to their customers and/or community despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation Process
- Strength, resilience and creativity related to the COVID pandemic
- Value to industry/society
- Demonstrated growth process
- Potential for growth
Rules for Nominations:
- Submit completed document online or download the PDF and submit to rachel@thinkdutchess.com with the subject “BEA Nomination” by Monday, August 24th, 2020 11:59 pm
- Self-nominations will be accepted
- Award recipients within the last five years cannot apply for the same award category. However, past winners can apply for other categories
- Judges may select businesses for categories outside of their application if a business meets the qualification criteria.
- Judges decisions will be final and no correspondence will follow submissions
Sponsor and Attend
The Think Dutchess Business Excellence Awards are made possible by the generous sponsorships from our business community. Each year, companies like Central Hudson, IBM, Nuvance and more help us to honor the people and businesses working to attract, retain and celebrate the top talent and business success in the area.
