Guidelines

These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of businesses and individuals within our vibrant community. Businesses that match the descriptions of the categories are eligible to submit applications.

Nomination Eligibility

  • Any business, organization, or individual operating within Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge is eligible for nomination.
  • Nominees must have a valid business license and be in good standing with all applicable regulatory bodies.
  • Nominees do not have to be Chamber members unless otherwise specified for a specific award category.

Nomination Submission

  • Nominations open August 1, 2025 and close 4:00pm on September 30th, 2025
  • All nominations must be submitted through the official online platform (Awardify) by the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Self-nominations are not permitted.

Nomination Packages

  • All required fields and supporting documents must be completed in the online form for the nomination to be considered.
  • Nominations that are incomplete or contain false/misleading information will be disqualified.

Category Restrictions

  • A business or individual can be nominated in multiple categories but can only win in one category per year (excluding special awards, such as Lifetime Achievement or People's Choice). Meaning, you must choose which category you wish to be judged in. A business or individual may be nominated in multiple categories; however, they must select one category to compete in for judging purposes. This selection must be confirmed during the nomination acceptance process with lauren@ridgemeadowschamber.com before the October 31st, 2025 deadline. 
  • Previous winners are eligible for nomination again after a two-year waiting period in the same category.

Review & Judging Process

  • Nominations will be reviewed by a selection panel appointed by the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce.
  • Judges' decisions are final and binding.
  • The judging panel may request additional information to validate submissions.
  • The judging panel does not include any Chamber of Commerce staff, and includes a wide selection of members of the Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge communities. 

Ethics and Disqualification

  • Conduct & Ethic
    • Nominees must conduct their business in compliance with all federal, provincial, and municipal laws.
    • Businesses must demonstrate ethical practices, respect for employees, and community involvement.

The Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to disqualify any nominee who:

  • Provides false information in their nomination.
  • Engages in behavior that brings the Chamber or the awards into disrepute.
  • Has discriminated against, bullied, or shown serious hate toward the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce, its staff, or its members.
    ➤ By decision of the Board and staff, such nominees will be automatically disqualified from being nominated or receiving an award for the year. The Chamber maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, and hate.
  • Should you wish to appeal this, we are open to conversations of transparency and ones rooted in kindness and fairness. 

Appeal Process:
Disqualified nominees may submit a written appeal to the Chamber after a minimum period of two (2) years from the date of disqualification. The Board will review appeals at its discretion, and decisions are final. Written appeals may be filed every year after this initial first 2 year period. 

Publicity & Promotion

  • By accepting a nomination, nominees consent to the use of their name, likeness, and business information for promotional purposes related to the awards.
  • Nominees agree to participate in media and promotional activities if selected as finalists or winners.

Conflict of Interest

  • Members of the Ridge Meadows Chamber Board of Directors and their immediate families are not eligible for nomination in any category during their term.
  • Staff members of the Chamber are also ineligible for nomination.

Finalists are strongly encouraged to attend the Business Excellence Awards Gala on March 7, 2026, as winners will be announced live at the event.