2023 Award Categories
- Bernie Legge Artist of the Year Award
- Business of the Year
- Citizen of the Year
- Climate Readiness Award
- Community Catalyst Award
- Customer Service Excellence Award
- Destination Business of the Year
- Digital Communication Award
- Employer of the Year
- Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
- Female Business Leader of the Year
- Home-Based Business of the Year
- New Business of the Year
- Not-for-Profit of the Year
Key Eligibility Rules
- Nominees must have a business in New Westminster and a valid New Westminster business license (except for Citizen of Bernie Legge Artist of the Year Award & Citizen of the Year)
- Self-Nominations ARE accepted (except Citizen of the Year)
- Nominees do NOT need to be New West Chamber members.
- All sizes and sectors are equally eligible.
- A business or individual is ineligible to win the same award category more than once in three years.
- An award may not be issued for every category, depending on the applications received.
- A nominee may be issued an award for a category other than the one for which they were nominated.
Bernie Legge Artist of the Year Award
The Bernie Legge Award is a prestigious cultural/artist award that recognizes exceptional individuals or artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts and culture of New Westminster. Named after Bernie Legge, a renowned theatre artist from New West, this award celebrates the legacy and impact of nominees in the community, their breadth of influence, and the discipline(s) in which their cultural impact has been made.
Nominees must be residents of or operate studio space in New Westminster and actively contribute to the overall well-being of the city. The judges consider any additional information provided about the nominee’s achievements and contributions.
- 2012 – Angie Au Hemphill
- 2013 – Katherine Freund Hainsworth
- 2014 – Trudy Van Dop
- 2015 – Candice James
- 2016 – Susan Greig
- 2017 – Gabor Gasztonyi
- 2018 – Leanne Ewen
- 2019 – Susan Greig
- 2021 – The Stage Musical Theatre
- 2022 – Richard Chapman, Northern Electric Sound
Criteria
- Nominees must have had a significant impact on New Westminster
- Nominees must have made a significant contribution to building the arts and culture of New Westminster
- Nominees must actively contribute to the overall well-being of the city
- Judges will consider the legacy and impact of the nominee in the community
- Judges will consider the breadth of the nominee’s influence
- Judges will consider the discipline(s) in which the cultural impact has been made
- Additional information provided about the nominee’s achievements and contributions will be considered.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Contribution to New Westminster arts and culture.
- Contribution to the well-being of the city.
- Legacy and impact on the community.
- Breadth of influence.
Business of the Year
The Business of the Year Award honours a thriving business in the City of New Westminster and holds a valid business license. This award celebrates a business that has achieved remarkable success and significantly impacted the local economy, customer service, innovation, and community involvement.
- 2012 – New Westminster Savings Credit Union/Greens and Bean Deli
- 2013 – Starlight Casino/Pink Ribbon Bakery
- 2014 – Hub Restaurant New West/Essence Hair Design
- 2015 – Key West Ford New Westminster/Music Box Academy
- 2016 – Fraser River Paint & Body/Mindful Mutts
Criteria
- Demonstrated strong performance and growth over the past year.
- Developed and maintained effective leadership strategies and practices.
- Implemented sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.
- Demonstrated exceptional customer service and satisfaction.
- Actively engaged with and contributed to the local community through philanthropic and volunteer efforts.
- Demonstrated innovation in products, services, or business practices.
- Proven to be a respected leader within their industry and a positive role model for other businesses in the community.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Performance and growth.
- Community leadership and philanthropy.
- Innovation in products, services, and business practices.
- Customer service and satisfaction.
- Commitment to uplifting the New Westminster Community
Citizen of the Year
The Citizen of the Year Award is an award that acknowledges and celebrates high individual achievement in New Westminster. This award is bestowed upon an individual who consistently contributes to the overall well-being of New Westminster.
Eligibility:
Nominees must be a resident of New Westminster
Nominees must approve and accept this nomination
Individuals cannot self-nominate
- 2012 – Farhan Lalji
- 2013 – Patrick Johnstone
- 2014 – Amber Anderson
- 2015 – Lynn Radbourne
- 2016 – Jen Arbo
- 2017 – Nadine Nakagawa
- 2018 – Stephen O’Shea
- 2019 – Lorrie Williams
- 2022 – Elaine Su
Criteria
- Commitment to service to the community of New Westminster outside the parameters of one’s employment.
- Creating a memorable impact and/or legacy within the New Westminster community.
- Significant breadth of impact aiding multiple aspects of the community.¯
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Service to the community outside the parameters of their employment.
- Memorable impact and/or legacy.
- Breadth of impact to the community.
- Influence on uplifting others.
Climate Readiness Award
The Climate Readiness Award recognizes an outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, renewal, and/or readiness to approach future climate issues. This award is presented to a business or organization that has utilized innovative approaches to sustainability, demonstrated excellent leadership and advocacy for environmental issues in their community, and has seen their efforts culminate in meaningful results and improvement for New Westminster.
- 2022 – The Refill Stop
Criteria
- Commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, including efforts to reduce emissions, recycle, and conserve natural resources.
- The use of innovative approaches, technologies, and strategies to benefit the sustainability of their business and/or community.
- Significant leadership, advocacy, and collaboration with other businesses or individuals for environmental issues in New Westminster.
- Meaningful community-felt results and improvement for sustainability in New Westminster.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
- Innovative approaches, technologies, and strategies.
- Leadership, advocacy, and collaboration with other businesses or individuals.
- Community-felt results and improvements.
Community Catalyst Award
In partnership with the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society
The Community Catalyst Award is presented to a business or organization that has significantly contributed to the well-being of a vulnerable population in New Westminster. This award is supported by the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society and aims to recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to engagement, community involvement, and social responsibility.
The finalists will be announced during HAW2023 (October 7 to 14th).
Criteria
- Valid Business License: To be eligible for the award, the business or organization must hold a valid Business License in New Westminster.
AND - Commitment to Engagement: The winning business or organization must demonstrate a high level of commitment to engaging with the community. This could include attending community events, supporting local organizations, and actively seeking feedback and input from community members.
OR - Active Involvement in the Community: The business or organization must be actively involved in the community and contribute to the overall well-being of New Westminster, particularly the vulnerable population. This could include initiatives to support affordable housing, food security programs, mental health resources, and other programs that address the needs of marginalized or at-risk people.
OR - Innovative Solutions: The winning business or organization must help address social issues and homelessness in a way that sets them apart from competitors. This could include partnering with local organizations to provide job training and employment opportunities for homeless individuals, implementing programs or creating initiatives to support community members who are experiencing hardship.
Overall, the Community Catalyst Award is designed to recognize businesses or organizations that are making a positive impact on the community and helping to support vulnerable populations.
Customer Service Excellence Award
- 2014 – Family Eyecare Center
- 2015 – Canawrap Imaging Inc.
- 2016 – Michell Kegaly New West Wellness
- 2022 – Rain City Games
Criteria
- The business (if the nominee is a business) must hold a valid Business License in New Westminster.
- The business or individual must demonstrate a high level of commitment to customer service and satisfaction through responsiveness, communication, personalization, problem-solving, and professionalism.
- The business or individual must be actively involved in the community and contribute to the overall well-being of New Westminster.
- The business or individual must have innovative customer service practices that set it apart from competitors.
- The business or individual must have received positive feedback and testimonials from customers, demonstrating its commitment to customer service excellence.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Responsiveness and communication.
- Personalization and professionalism.
- Community involvement.
- Innovation in customer service practices.
- Customer feedback.
Destination Business of the Year
- 2022 – Inn at the Quay
Criteria
- Demonstrated success in attracting visitors to New Westminster.
- Innovative approaches to marketing and promoting the city as a visitor destination.
- Positive impact on the local economy through job creation and increased revenue.
- Commitment to providing exceptional customer service and experiences.
- Collaboration with other local businesses and organizations to enhance the overall visitor experience.
- Strong community engagement and involvement in local events and initiatives.
- Resilience and adaptability in the face of industry changes and challenges.
- Overall outstanding growth and success within the tourism industry.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Marketing and promotion of the city as a destination.
- Impact on the local economy.
- Customer service and experiences.
- Community engagement.
- Resilience.
Digital Communication Award
The Digital Communication Award celebrates organizations in New Westminster that have successfully established a powerful online presence. This award recognizes the use of digital technology to enhance customer engagement, improve operational efficiencies, and drive business growth. The recipient is chosen based on their ability to leverage social media, web design, mobile apps, and other digital platforms to achieve measurable results.
Criteria
- Nominees must own a business in New Westminster
- Must be an organization in New Westminster
- Effective digital marketing strategy
- High level of customer engagement through digital channels
- Exceptional user experience on digital platforms
- Demonstrable contribution of digital innovation to business growth
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Digital marketing strategy.
- Customer engagement through digital channels.
- User experience on digital platforms.
- Digital innovation.
Employer of the Year
Criteria
- Employee satisfaction and engagement levels.
- Commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being.
- Implementation of innovative employee benefits and perks.
- Supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
- Training and development opportunities for employees.
- Strong leadership and effective communication.
- Employee retention rates and career progression.
- Contribution to the local community and social responsibility.
- Adherence to ethical business practices and fair employment policies.
- Overall impact on the organization’s success and employee happiness.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Innovation in Employee Benefits and Perks
- Workplace morale and job satisfaction.
- Development and training
- Retention and advancement
- Customer service and satisfaction.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit in the community of New Westminster. This award recognizes professionals who serve as role models for the New Westminster community, have made significant contributions to their respective fields, and have positively impacted the community through their innovative ideas and initiatives.
Criteria
- Demonstrates strong leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Has made significant contributions to their respective field.
- Has positively impacted the community of New Westminster through their innovative ideas and initiatives.
- Must work or live in New Westminster and their impact must be felt in that community.
- Has created a more welcoming space in New Westminster for new entrepreneurs to emerge.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Contributions to their field.
- Innovation in ideas and initiatives.
- Felt impact in the New Westminster community.
- Creation of a welcoming space for entrepreneurs.
Female Business Leader of the Year
The Female Business Leader of the Year Award celebrates exceptional women in the business community of New Westminster who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and community engagement. Nominees must live or work in New Westminster, identify as female, and have made significant strides in their field. They should also have a positive impact on their employees, customers, and the wider community. Finally, the nominee should be recognized as a role model and inspiration to others.
- 2022 – Jennifer Mackie
Criteria
- The nominee must live or work in New Westminster.
- The nominee must identify as female or be a woman.
- The nominee must have made significant strides in the business community, including but not limited to demonstrating outstanding leadership, innovation, and/or community engagement.
- The nominee should have a positive impact on the community, including their employees, customers, and the wider New Westminster community.
- The nominee should be recognized as a role model and inspiration to other women in the business community.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Community engagement and leadership.
- General business growth.
- Inspiration for women in the business community.
- Mentor or empower others in their community.
- Community reputation.
Home-based Business of the Year
The Home-based Business of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions of a home-based business located in New Westminster. This award honours an entrepreneur who has demonstrated exceptional business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit in building a successful business from the comfort of their own home.
Nominees should clarify why they are home-based.
- 2018 – Daxio Designs
- 2019 – Daxio Designs
- 2021 – Stephanie Manages
Criteria
- Valid business license with the City of New Westminster.
- Business must be located in New Westminster.
- Demonstrated innovation and creativity in business operations and strategy.
- Exceptional customer service and positive feedback from customers.
- Strong marketing and promotional strategies that have helped to build the brand and reputation of the business.
- Commitment to community involvement, social responsibility, and sustainable practices.
- Adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges and obstacles.
- Impact on the community
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Creativity in business operations and strategy.
- Customer service and feedback.
- Marketing and promotional strategies.
- Community involvement.
- Adaptability and resilience.
New Business of the Year
The New Business of the Year Award celebrates and recognizes the outstanding achievement of a new business in the City of New Westminster during its first year of operation. This award recognizes the hard work, dedication, and passion of the new business owner(s).
Nominees will be evaluated based on their overall business performance, future growth potential, and their ability to meet the vision of the New West Chamber for the community.
There will be a community vote on the three finalists.
- 2017 – Rock Steady Boxing
- 2018 – Piva Modern Italian
- 2019 – Bruncheria
- 2021 – Craft Café
- 2022 – Take the Cake
Criteria
- Must hold a valid business license with the City of New Westminster (home okay)
- Must be located in New Westminster.
- Must have opened between January 2022 and now.
- Must have a commitment to growing its online presence and visibility.
- Must provide exciting services and products which benefit the commercial diversity of New Westminster.
- Must have a clear vision for the future of their business and be actively working towards achieving their goals.
- Who is exciting – marketing themselves
- Employer / store front / fills gap
- What sets them / vibe
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Commitment to growth in its online presence and visibility.
- Services and products.
- Goals for the future and actively work towards them.
- Marketing.
- Originality and contribution to commercial diversity.
Not-for-Profit of the Year
The Not-for-Profit of the Year Award recognizes a non-profit organization that has made an exceptional contribution to the City of New Westminster. This organization has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to improving the lives of individuals and communities in the city.
- 2017 – New West Hospice
- 2018 – Rotary Club of New Westminster
- 2019 – Queen’s Park Healthcare Foundation
- 2021 – Downtown New West BIA
- 2022 – ODIHI Foundation
Criteria
- Must be a federally or provincially registered non-profit, and be a current society or charity.
- Has a compelling mission that is clear in its goals and addresses an issue that is significant to the New Westminster community.
- Demonstrated impact and success in achieving their mission.
- Innovative and creative approaches to addressing community needs.
- Strong partnerships and collaboration with other organizations.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical practices with employees and partners.
- Effective use of resources and responsible financial management.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt and respond to changing community needs.
- Positive reputation and recognition within the City of New Westminster.
Rubric for Judges (1-5 Scale)
- Mission, goals, and issues addressed.
- Impact and success in achieving their mission.
- Creativity and adaptability in approaches to addressing community needs.
- Partnerships and collaboration with other organizations.
- Community reputation.