Biz X Awards

It's Time To Nominate Your Choices!

Cast your vote now!

Every July/August issue the list of categories (which differ each year) are released in our fun and unique awards competition. We rely heavily on our readers and local residents to nominate their choices for who should win. However, this is not a popularity contest (although multiple votes are a goal) -- it may just take ONE outstanding nomination that gets the Judges’ attention.

Winners receive an invite to a formal gala, a plaque from The Trophy Boys in Windsor and are declared the champion of their category. Obviously, this is a huge accomplishment and everyone should know about it!

The easiest way to vote is on our nominations page. The nomination form then pops up and at the top you click the category you wish to vote in, and fill out the rest of the form to submit your vote. Just type in your choice of a particular individual or business and whenever possible please give us some supporting evidence. Please note that if you choose the wrong category, we will move it to the appropriate category so that your nomination counts.

Another way a business owner can receive votes is to post a petition in their workplace or shop so customers can sign it and leave comments on why you deserve to win. Just remember to mail in your signed petitions to us by the deadline.

In the past 13 years (we’ve been very lucky!), Biz X has covered a large variety of businesses, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see a certain category now as it may have been previously awarded. Please keep in mind that only the categories listed each year are the ones you can vote for!

In 2009, we introduced two annual awards for restaurants and artists which again you will see in this year’s line-up. And new for 2010 (and every year after) we have introduced standard categories for business professionals and retail shops…this way every business/owner, whether a category relates to them or not, has a chance to win!

If you or your business is fortunate to be nominated, you will be contacted to supply further information on qualifications, history, and to confirm nomination information supplied by voters. All nominations received are forwarded to the Biz X panel of Judges who meet in the fall to determine the final winners. Watch out for them to visit your place of business too - anonymously of course! The final results are posted in the November/December edition of Biz X magazine, released at the end of November.

Listed here are the four major categories for Essex County with a total of 25 subcategories. US citizens and those living outside of Essex County can vote for all categories as well since they are choosing a local business/person in Windsor-Essex.

Please follow the rules below to ensure that your vote counts...

1. Vote only ONCE for each award. Businesses/people are only permitted to win one award each year.
2. Be certain that the company or individual you are nominating fits with the category’s criteria.
3. Please be sure that the business/person you nominate is located (or resides) in Windsor or Essex County and is NOT part of a national franchise/chain or non profit organization (except for the people category). The people category is being judged on the individual and not the company itself and those working for chains and non-profits are eligible to win here only.
4. Every business in Essex County (with the exception above) can win a Biz X award. All businesses, whether a current Biz X advertiser or not, have equal chance at winning. Once nominations are announced, all can purchase ads if they desire to promote their achievements in the awards issue. The Judges are unaware of which companies advertise (or do not) when they make their final decisions and only see the completed awards issue at the same time the readers do. This ensures there are NO biases.

All nominations must be entered on-line by September 22, 2010.

The Biz X Annual Awards Issue

Biz X has been honouring the leading businesses of Windsor and Essex County since 1998 with its creative and exciting annual awards program. We recognize the cream of the crop - businesses and individuals which are believed to be outstanding in their respective categories. Since inception, Biz X has handed out more than 500 awards.

It's worth it for your business to get involved in these awards - just ask any of our previous winners! Recipients receive a plaque (made by the Trophy Boys on Erie Street), an invitation to our black tie party in November at Place Concorde, and a write-up in the annual awards issue. More importantly, winners can brag to others that they are number one in their field (which of course gives them an edge over their competition!).

Why Get Involved?

Every business owner should participate in the contest and not only send in votes for other businesses, but also for his/her own company! Here's a hint to help you get more votes - - post a sign in your workplace or shop and tell your customers to vote for you online IF THERE IS A CATEGORY FOR YOUR BUSINESS ONLY! Then you earn bragging rights to tell everyone your company is #1! A great example is shown in the accompanying photo of Samantha (last name withheld), Deli Clerk from Elias Fresh Express, winner of Delicious Deli in 2006. Remember though this is not a popularity contest (although multiple votes are a goal), it may just take one outstanding nomination that puts your business above any other competitors.