Nominations
Do you know a business or businessperson that deserves to be recognized for excellence?
Nominate them for one of the following Pinnacle awards.
The nomination process is open to the general public and nominees do NOT have to be a member of the Knoxville Chamber.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 2!
Awards Categories
Impact Award
This award will be presented to an East Tennessee business that displays a commitment to
making East Tennessee a better place to live through the development and support of a
community project or program. The Impact Award winner should be able to demonstrate the
ability to improve community conditions that make a significant contribution or impact on our
region. Such contributions might include: improving education, improving healthcare, pursuing
environmental excellence, performing community service, and influencing other organizations to
partner for these purposes.
Innovator Award
This award will be given to an East Tennessee business that has developed a new technology,
innovative product or service or applied a business process or service in an innovative way. The
winner will be able to quantify its growth and provide a detailed explanation of the new product,
service, process or system. Nominee should provide a description of implementing innovative
solutions to achieve operational efficiency and business results.
Minority Business Excellence Award
This award will be presented to a successful East Tennessee minority-owned business which is
independently-owned, operated and controlled by minority group members. Minority group
members are defined as U.S. citizens who are Asian, Black, Hispanic or Native American.
Ownership by minority individuals means the business is at least 51 percent owned by such
individuals and the management and daily operations are controlled by those minority group
members.
Woman-Owned Business Excellence Award
This award will be presented to a successful East Tennessee woman-owned business which is
independently-owned, operated and controlled by a female or females. The enterprise must be
at least 51 percent owned by one or more women and its management and daily business
operations must be controlled by one or more women.
Small Business Excellence Award
This award will be presented to an East Tennessee small business that has consistently grown
its workforce and revenue. Nominees should be businesses started in the Knoxville region and
have 50 employees or less company-wide. The winner will be able to demonstrate its ability to
overcome obstacles including access to capital, operational efficiency, control of expenses,
customer loyalty and distribution of products or services and should provide a historical index of
growth in revenues and workforce.
Business Excellence Award
Awarded to a company headquartered in East Tennessee or a company with a significant
presence in East Tennessee, that has shown remarkable profitability, growth and stability.
Nominees must be recognized regionally, nationally and/or internationally in their respective
business sector, while demonstrating leadership in the sector as well. Nominated companies
should have made significant investments in facilities and employees. There will be two winners
in this category, one for companies with 51-150 employees company-wide and another for
companies with 151+ employees company-wide.
Young Entrepreneur Award
This award will be presented to a young professional, 40 years of age or younger as of May 4,
2012, who lives and works in East Tennessee and has achieved success while overcoming
obstacles, to become one of tomorrow's top business leaders. The winner will have started or is
at risk in ownership in their business. They will have taken their business practices and moved a
company from early growth to some maturity.
To nominate a company, click here.
The nomination process is open to the general public and nominees do NOT have to be a member of the Knoxville Chamber.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 2! |
