From The Publisher: Nominations Open Up For The 2020 Biz X Awards

from the publisher Online Nominations Open For Annual "Biz X Awards"

By Deborah Jones

So what’s changed since our last awards issue and gala in November 2019? It’s something major and I’m sure you know the answer!

An unexpected pandemic is challenging our very existence and also leaving damaging effects on our economy.

Yet, we all must survive and keep living (safely of course). For us at the magazine, we keep pumping out issues to inform our readers about local news and also continue to promote our advertisers. It also means we carry on our tradition of announcing our categories for the annual Biz X Awards in our summer issue, as we have done for the past 23 years.

Now more than ever we need to reward businesses, organizations and people who are fighting hard to keep paying the bills and doing great things in our region! And the 2020 Biz X Awards are a fantastic way to do just that.

Here again is a quick rundown on how the awards process works. With the publishing of the July/August edition, the categories are officially released and nominations are accepted on our

website: BizXmagazine.com.

Readers can nominate the businesses and people in Windsor Essex who they believe are the best in each category and deserve to be recognized. So if you own a business or run an organization, ask your customers/clients to nominate you ASAP!

Nominations are accepted from July 27 (noon)

until September 11, 2020 (5 p.m.)

Whenever possible please include some supporting evidence, for your nominee, on our online form. ***NOTE: If you choose the wrong category, we reserve the right to move it to the appropriate category so that your nomination counts.

Nominees are made public on the Biz X website when voting commences on September 16(noon)

and continues through to September 25 (5 p.m.)

During the voting period you can go online to: BizXmagazine.com and cast your vote for your choice to win the 2020 Biz X Award in its respective category. You can also vote using your smart phone or tablet via our mobile friendly voting site.

Keep in mind the nomination and voting process is not a popularity contest — it only takes ONE nomination to be included in the voting poll. It is always best though to get a few people to nominate you or your business to ensure your nomination was received by us.

Once you nominate an individual or a business you will receive a confirmation email showing it was properly submitted. If you DO NOT receive this email (check your spam folder too) then we did NOT receive your nomination. Please check all sections were filled out, you have answered the captcha question and re-submit the form.

If you or your business/organization is fortunate to be nominated, you will be contacted to supply further details (online only) on your qualifications, history, and to confirm information supplied by nominators.

Once the polls open in September, be sure to toot your own horn. Do whatever you can to get your customers to vote for you on the Biz X website — post a link to the voting poll on social media and your own website to get those votes coming in!

Remember that vote tallies are only a portion of the overall selection process. All nomination forms received, along with company background information supplied and voting poll results, are then reviewed by the Biz X panel of Judges after the polls close.

The next step involves the Judges deciding in the fall who the final winners will be. The Judges do not know the winners’ names as voting is done by secret ballot. The final results are posted in the November/December edition of Biz X magazine, released mid-November.

In the past 23 years, Biz X has awarded over 724 recipients in all kinds of industries, so don’t be discouraged if a certain category is not listed as it may have been previously awarded. (Please check our website to see a list of past winners.)

Now that we have entered our third decade of award winners, certain categories from years back are re-used to allow for new businesses in those industries to have the opportunity to be included.

Six staple categories are included for 2020 — “Outstanding New Business”; “Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year”; “Powerhouse Professional”; “Artist of the Year”; “Best Little Retail Shop” and “Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot”.

Listed below are the four major sections containing the 24 various categories. While the majority of nominations and votes come from Essex County residents, U.S. citizens and those living outside Essex County can vote in any category, since they could be patrons of the business.

Please follow the rules below to ensure that your nomination counts . . . 1. Only nominate ONE company/person per award category. Businesses/people are only permitted to win one award each year. All nominees must be over 19 years of age. 2. Be certain that the company or individual you are nominating fits with the category’s criteria.

NOMINATE YOUR FAVOURITE BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE JULY 27 (NOON) TO SEPT. 11, 2020 (5 P.M.) ON BIZXMAGAZINE.COM VOTING TAKES PLACE SEPT. 16 (NOON) TO SEPT. 25, 2020 (5 P.M.)

3. The business/person you nominate must be located (or reside) in Windsor, Essex County, or Pelee Island and NOT be part of a national franchise/chain or non-profit organization (except for categories in the PEOPLE section). The PEOPLE categories (#8 to #13) are judged on the individual and not the company itself and those working for chains/franchises and non-profits are eligible to participate only in this section. 4. Every business in Essex County (with the exceptions above) has the opportunity to win a Biz X Award. *However: NO MEDIA outlets

or representatives can participate in any of the

categories. You do not have to be an advertiser with the magazine to be nominated or to win. Judges are not told who is an advertiser (past or present) to ensure there are no biases or conflicts of interest.

Good luck to all area businesses and organizations. And if you're lucky enough to win . . . you and a guest receive a complimentary invitation to an upcoming “Biz X Awards Gala” (held at St. Clair College Centre For The Arts with decor by Designs by Diane); a plaque from The Trophy Boys in Windsor; a write-up in our November/ December Awards Edition and are declared #1 in your category.

So be sure to check your email account in August or early September to see if we contact you about an awards nomination. Visit: BizXmagazine.com for the very latest information and watch for the September issue to learn how to vote online!

And now we present the. . .

2020 BIZ X AWARD CATEGORIES

*See rules in second column before nominating*

BUSINESS & SERVICE

(*no chains/non-profits allowed)

1. “Outstanding New Business Of 2020”

(Businesses that opened from September 1, 2019 to September 1, 2020) *No restaurants/food trucks or bars can be included as they can participate in the Hospitality & Entertainment Categories. 2. “Charged Up Electrical Expert” (The electrical firm to hire for big or small commercial, industrial or residential jobs.)

3. “X Marks The Spot With This Leading

Notary Public” (Criteria may include: qualifications, experience, fees, specialties, quick delivery of services.) 4. “Online Digital Masters” (Who to hire to get you set up on the world wide web to sell your products or services; check fees, referrals, past websites designed.)

5. “Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year”

(A company in operation for over one year that has done something exceptional to take care of business.) *No restaurants/bars or retail shops please as they have their own categories.

6. “The Smart Money Is On These

Accountants” (An accounting firm that helps you grow during the pandemic, handles your books and tax returns and gives good advice in all stages of your business.)

7. “Company That Moves Mountains 4 U”

(Whether it is down the street or across the country, this is who to trust with reasonable rates, insurance, positive reviews etc. to make the move as smooth as possible.)

PEOPLE

8. “2020 Powerhouse Professional” (A local business owner or top manager who has what it takes to keep the company/organization they own or work for profitable in today’s tough times.) 9. “Artist Of The Year” (Singer, painter, musician, sculptors, bands, actors only.) *No authors or photographers please.

10. “Mortgage Rep Looking Out For Your Best

Interest” (An individual, employed by a bank, credit union, or private mortgage agency, who works hard to get you the best rate, terms and conditions possible.)

11. “The Most Honest Auto Salesperson”

(A new/used car salesperson you can trust who offers a fair price for your vehicle and/or won’t sell you a “lemon”!)

12. “The Caring Pharmacist Constantly

Prescribed” (Dealing with viruses is now a constant concern for us all. Factors can include; a Pharmacist who is interested in your health, makes recommendations and offers other services such as immunizations, delivery, etc.)

13. “The #1 Wedding Photographer Always

In Focus” (Consider style, personality, value for money, experience.)

RETAIL (*no chains/non-profits allowed) 14. “The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2020” (Open to all retailers with good prices, fantastic customer service and selection.) *They must have a storefront, no on-line only businesses please and if a specific category is listed for their type of business they can only participate in that category.

*Nominees in #15 to #19 cannot participate in #14.

15. “Premiere PPE Place” (The business you turn to for cleaning and disinfectant products or Personal Protection Equipment like masks and gloves.) 16. “Wonderful Window Display” (A business selling quality, affordable windows that completes the job on time.) 17. “Pedal Power Palace” (Where to buy the first bike for your child or if you plan to take up cycling

for fun or racing, that has a large inventory or even sells Ebikes!) 18. “Forever In Blue Jeans Heaven” (The place that makes a fashion statement with stylish and comfy jeans for women or men or both.) 19. “Coolest Kids Clothes” (From infants to teens and all ages in between, a children’s shop with a large selection, fair prices and friendly staff.)

HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT

(*no chains/non-profits allowed)

20. “Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot For 2020!”

(Can be a new or an existing restaurant/food truck that offers exceptional cuisine, fair prices and has a unique, trendy atmosphere — patio dining acceptable.) 21. “The Greek God Of Grub” (Diner or grill to pick up a mouth watering gyro or enjoy your favourite Greek dish.) *Cannot also participate in category #20. 22. “Sparkling Winery” (Good wine is a must, but added perks like a restaurant on site, event facility and tasting tours can be considered.) 23. “Extraordinary Event Caterer” (The company to count on to ensure your private office or home party features fabulous food and a top notch presentation.) *Offsite caterers only please

24. “Favourite Home Away From Home”

(A quaint, affordable place to stay overnight such as a B&B or cottage.) *No hotels/motels or campgrounds.