In a fiercely competitive marketplace, it is important to focus on ways to set a business apart from the rest. Winning an NOB award can benefit a company’s internal and external operations by being recognized by ones peers from all over Northern Ontario. It also positions companies as leaders to current and potential customers; as well as to employees.

Winners of these prestigious awards will be honoured at an extravagant awards gala on October 7th, 2004 in Sault Ste. Marie, featured in a video presentation aired on television and in a souvenir program distributed to a readership of over 20,000 people in Northern Ontario Business.

This high-profile event, which typically attracts widespread media coverage, has been known to effect increased sales by establishing third-party endorsement of a company’s products and or services. NOBA has also been recognized as a great employee morale booster as it provides an opportunity for their efforts to be formally recognized.

All nominees must have a fixed physical presence in Northern Ontario (three-year minimum). A minimum of a year must have passed if the nominee has undergone a major expansion or has received government financing.

For the purpose of these awards, Northern Ontario is measured from Parry Sound to the Manitoba border. Non-profit or charitable groups, government agencies and institutions are not considered businesses and are only eligible for the Entrepreneurial Community of the Year Award. Past winners may only submit a nomination after five years and under a different category than they have previously won.

Award Categories
Company of the Year (1-15 Employees): A company with a fixed physical presence in Northern Ontario for a minimum of three years, which is extensively engaged in business activities in the region and has operated for one year since completing a major expansion or receiving government financing.

Company of the Year (16-50 Employees): Same as above.

Company of the Year (51+ Employees): Same as above.

Entrepreneur of the Year: A person who has founded or purchased a Northern Ontario-based business (Preference is given to one who successfully continues to create, recreate or purchase businesses).

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: A person, 35 years or younger on the date of the awards ceremony, who has founded or purchased a Northern Ontario-based business (Preference is given to one who successfully continues to create, recreate or purchase businesses).

First Nations Business Award of Excellence: A status First Nations person(s) operating or managing a business on or off a reserve.

Innovation Award: A person or company who employs new or experimental technology or techniques resulting in the development of new products, services or internal processes or significant improvement to existing products, services or processes (Preference is given to people/companies who continually develop innovative technology or techniques).

Entrepreneurial Community of the Year: Non-profit or charitable groups, government agencies and institutions defined by geography or association who collaborate by sharing human and / or capital resources to create conditions which effect economic growth or development in Northern Ontario.

Judges’ Choice Award: This award will be presented annually to a nominee who has been chosen by the NOBA panel of judges from the total number of nominees from the host city area. For example, all 2004 NOBA nominations, from the Host City’s region, regardless of category, will automatically quality for the Judges’ Choice Award.

An independent panel of judges, which changes each year to represent the various areas of the North, adjudicates the Northern Ontario Business Awards.