From The Publisher: Biz X Award Nominations Open Up

Nominations Open For The 25th Annual Biz X Awards

By Deborah Jones

The heat is on and I’m not just referring to the weather!

More specifically our July/August edition is out and that means things start to heat up as we search for nominees in the annual Biz X Awards.

Last year we celebrated our 24th year with the theme, Year 24K: Setting The Gold Standard. Now in 2022, since silver traditionally commemorates a 25th anniversary, a silver lining theme is appropriate considering all the business world has been through in the past few years.

However, before this year’s awards tribute is published, you need to know about the whole awards process.

With the publishing of our summer edition, the categories are officially released and nominations are accepted online at: BizXmagazine.com,

from July 28 (noon) to September 9 (5 p.m.)

Readers can nominate the businesses, organizations, people and events in Windsor/Essex County and Pelee Island they believe are the best in each category.

Whenever possible, please include some supporting evidence, for your nominee, on our online form. 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 September 19 (noon)

and continues through to September 23 (5 p.m.)

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/organization 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) that means we did NOT receive your nomination. Please check all sections were filled out, and you have answered the reCAPTCHA 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 to us, online, about your qualifications, history, and to confirm information supplied by the 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 — use your own website and social media pages to tell everyone that you are nominated!

During the voting period you can go online to: BizXmagazine.com and cast a vote for your choice to win the 2022 Biz X Award, in its respective category. You can also vote using your smart phone or tablet via our mobile friendly voting site.

Remember that vote tallies are only a part 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 meeting in the fall to determine the final winners.

The Judges will not know the actual winners’ names, as voting during this meeting 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 25 years, Biz X has awarded over 775 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.)

As we are now in the third decade of our annual awards, certain categories from years back are re-used to allow for new businesses in those industries to have the opportunity to be included.

There are eight staple categories every year — Outstanding New Business, Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year, Powerhouse Professional, Artist of the Year, Exceptional Social Enterprise, Best Little Retail Shop, Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot, and The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year.

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 nominate or vote in any category, since they could be clients of the business/organization or supporters of the business professional.

Please follow the rules* below to ensure that your nomination counts . . . 1. Only nominate ONE company/person per award category. Businesses/organizations/people are only permitted to win one award each year.

MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES ARE NOT PERMITTED.

We reserve the right to choose the best category for the company or individual when a nomination comes in. All nominees must be over 19 years of age. 2. Be certain that the company or individual you are nominating fits the category’s criteria.

YOUR FAVOURITE BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, EVENTS, AND PEOPLE JULY 28 (NOON) TO

SEPT.9, 2022 (5 P.M.) ON BIZXMAGAZINE.COM

VOTING TAKES PLACE FROM SEPT.19 (NOON) TO SEPT. 23, 2022 (5 P.M.)

3. The nominee must be located (or reside) in Windsor, Essex County or Pelee Island and NOT be part of a national franchise/chain or nonprofit organization (except for categories in the PEOPLE section and category #24). The PEOPLE section (#8 to #13) is 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. An exception for category #24 is also allowed as many national organizations have local chapters hosting events. 4. Every business in Essex County and Pelee Island (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.

Be sure to check your email account in August or early September to see if we contact you about an award nomination. Visit: BizXmagazine.com for the very latest information and watch for the September issue to learn how to vote in the 25th annual Biz X Awards.

And now we present the. . .

2022 BIZ X AWARD CATEGORIES

*See rules in second column before nominating*

BUSINESS & SERVICE

(*No chains/non-profits allowed) *Remember once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

1. Outstanding New Business Of 2022

(Businesses that opened from Sept. 1, 2021 to Sept. 1, 2022.) *No restaurants/food trucks or bars can be included as they can participate in the Hospitality & Entertainment Categories.

2. Travel Agency That’s Definitely Going Places

(Who to contact for a trip around the world, a vacation to a tropical destination and more.)

3. Paint Pros That Brush To Perfection

(Commercial painting contractors and/or house painters who are the best of the brushes and buckets!) 4. Favourite Pump You Up Fitness Club (Focus on available services such as saunas, daycare, juice bar, massage therapy, extended hours etc.)

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 as they have their own categories.

6. Architectural Dream Team By Design

(Commercial/residential architect firm.)

7. Meticulous & Marvellous Home

Inspection Co. (Consider training, experience, professional affiliations, use of technology like thermal imaging, reputation etc.)

PEOPLE

(*The business/organization the nominee owns or works for cannot be nominated elsewhere) 8. 2022 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 (For example a singer, painter, musician, sculptor, band, actor.) *No authors or photographers please. 10. Exceptional Social Enterprise (A team of workers at a non-profit organization or registered charity making a big difference in our community.) 11. All-Star #1 Kiddie Coach (A sports coach motivating the young to give it their all whether it be skating, swimming, hockey, soccer or more.)

12. The Therapist Who Really Listens

(Mental health is important at all stages of life. For those needing professional help, which counsellor is most effective?)

13. Podcaster Taking It To The Next Level

(Think about content; a regular podcast schedule and is he/she a knowledgeable, passionate story teller?) *No media can participate. (*No chains/non-profits allowed) *Remember once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others. 14. The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2022 (Open to all retailers with a storefront, good prices, superior customer service and selection.) *No online only retailers please. 15. Top Bakery On The Rise (From bread, cakes, muffins and pies to cookies, doughnuts, scones and more — who has the nicest buns in town?) 16. Spectacular Specs Store (Whether you need eyeglasses to see up close or far away; contact lenses or some cool shades, this vision centre is the clear choice.)

17. A+ Butcher Who “MEATS” Your

Expectations (The Butcher’s Shop or market making the cut with a large selection of fresh meat and/or deli products and friendly counter service.)

18. Happiness Brews With This Coffee

Roaster (Where to purchase ground coffee or whole beans to make the perfect cup of java at your workplace or home.)

19. Cannabis Dispensary Held In High

Esteem (Consider the knowledge level of staff, variety of products, price, location, hours, store ambience and added perks like delivery). *Must be licenced by AGCO. (*No chains/non-profits allowed; exception only for events #24) *Remember once a business/organization is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

20. Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot For

2022! (Can be a new or an existing restaurant or food truck that offers amazing cuisine, fair prices and has a unique, trendy atmosphere — take-out/delivery only is also acceptable.)

21. Authentic Indian Food Shangri-La

(Dine-in or take-out establishments specializing in tasty Indian dishes.)

22. Greatest Of The Great Outdoors

Adventures (Fishing charter, paddle boarding, bike rental, boat cruise, winery tour . . . activities for outside only. All ages.) *No parks, museums, city run organizations etc. for #22 and #23, sorry.

23. Fantastic Family Fun & Games

(Mini golf, climbing and trampoline facilities, laser tag, bowling, bubble soccer, horseback riding, go karts, arcade/simulation games etc.)

24. The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year

(Annual runs, golf tournaments, motorcycle rides, charity fundraisers, festivals, fairs, trade shows etc. *EXCEPTION: Non-profits and charities can participate.