Small Business of the Year
Company must have fewer than 150 employees, been in business for at least two years (less than two – see New Business award criteria), and have a physical presence in eastern CT. The following should be considered in your nomination:

• Community involvement and collaboration
• Preservation of skills and/or product in Connecticut
• Commitment to customer service

Business of the Year
Company must have more than 150 employees, been in business for at least two years (less than two – see New Business award criteria), and have a physical presence in eastern CT. The following should be considered in your nomination:

• Number of people employed in Connecticut; opportunities provided for professional and personal development
• Community involvement, support, and collaboration
• Preservation of skills and/or product in Connecticut
• Innovative, green, or other progressive business practices

Community Revitalization Leader
This award recognizes a business/project that has made a tangible difference in the local community through specific efforts. The following should be considered in your nomination:

• Expense and size of project, including risk of private funds
• Employment generated, or potential
• Preservation of existing infrastructure and impact on environment
• Positive impact on the surrounding community

New Business Award
Company must be independently-owned, established within the last two years, and can be any size business with a physical presence in eastern CT. This does not refer to new ownership/management of an existing business. The following should be considered in your nomination:

• Knowledgeable of product, and/or bringing new product or service to the region
• Employment generated, or potential
• Dedication to customer service and community involvement

Non-profit of the Year
A 501c3 or c6 organization that provides a valued service with a physical presence in eastern CT. The following should be considered in your nomination:

• Initiatives that make eastern CT a better place to live
• Programs unique to your organization
• Opportunities for growth and development of staff or volunteers

Best Place to Work
A workplace that demonstrates an exceedingly positive corporate culture for its employees, including but not limited to:

• Healthy work-life balance for employees
• Employing green/innovative practices
• Atmosphere of diversity and inclusion
• Opportunities for employee growth, training, development
• Community involvement

Industry Innovator
Presented to a local business that is:

• Adapting to the marketplace by introducing or embracing new concepts or technologies to better serve customers and the community
• Provides new, unique opportunities for its workforce development

Tourism Leader of the Year
A business that has demonstrated excellence in the region’s tourism industry through:

• Commitment to superior customer service and staff knowledge/training
• Annual growth %
• Efforts to expand and diversify products or services
• Tourism advocacy and community involvement

Young Professional of the Year
A young adult, age 18-40, who has demonstrated:

• Dedication to career success through advancement, entrepreneurialism, or implementation of new programs/practices
• Commitment to community service through volunteerism, board activity, etc.
• Membership in the Young Professionals of Eastern CT is preferred but not required