Business awards coming soon

Businesses in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will soon be recognized for excellence in their respective industries.

These businesses will be honored in the first ever St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SVGCIC) Business Awards 2009 “Rewarding Excellence and Innovation.”{{more}}

The Business Awards initiative was officially launched on Thursday, September 3, at the SVGCIC conference room. Speaking briefly at the event, Andrew Woodroffe, Vice President of the SVGCIC, stated that the awards were created to aid in the chamber’s quest to “promote the best in business practices” and expressed hopes of making it an annual event.

Woodroffe added that the awards ceremony is important as it would help to “generate an attitude around business people which focuses on top notch service where people can become innovative.”

There will be a total of six award categories, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Innovator of the Year, Business Excellence Award, Outstanding Customer Services – The People’s Choice award, Community Involvement and Chamber Support. Businesses will be selected through a nomination process open to the general public.

Also attending the event, Shafia London, Executive Director of the SVGCIC echoed Woodroffe’s comments: “It is something we are using to stimulate economic activity, to stimulate best business practices and to reward those who have been at the forefront of being role models for how business is supposed to be conducted,” she said.

London added that the competition is open to all businesses in all sectors and the final awardees will be selected by the SVGCIC members through a voting method from a short list of businesses. The nomination period was expected to come to an end today September 11, 2009.

The event will take place on October 10, 2009. The chamber promises that a well recognized business person will be the guest speaker at the event. Three individuals will also be honored and inducted into the Business Hall of Fame. More information on the event can be had from the SVGCIC. (OS)