Business Council seeks Business Hall of Fame nominees

The Business Council of Westchester is seeking nominations for this year”™s inductees into its Westchester County Business Hall of Fame.

The awards program, started in 2002, recognizes the achievements of Westchester businesses in five categories: small business, entrepreneurs, corporate citizens, family-owned companies and women in business. Business Council officials said members of the business community may nominate a client, colleague, vendor, friend or their own business. Nominees do not have to be Business Council members.

The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 23. Submissions can be completed online at westchesterny.org.

The Business Council”™s Hall of Fame awards dinner will be April 21 at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

Business Council officials said judges will consider several qualities for nominees in each awards category.

The Corporate Citizenship Award is presented to a company that has made a significant contribution and commitment to the Westchester community, including fostering economic opportunity, cultivating collaborations and partnerships, and facilitating community involvement in its own organization.

The Entrepreneurial Success Award is presented to an individual or company that began as a small business and has since developed and grown into a larger one. Judges consider growth in the number of employees and increase in annual sales; and innovativeness of product or service provided.

The Small Business Success Award is presented to an individual or small business that displays strong “staying power,” including a proven history as an established business, with growth trends in, for example, employee numbers and annual sales, and creativity and ability to respond to a dynamic economic environment.

The Women in Business Success Award goes to a woman who has achieved a high level of success in business. She must demonstrate leadership as a business owner or corporate executive and increased business results through effective management.

The Family Business Success Award is presented to a business that demonstrates positive results by combining a winning business strategy with a strong family work ethic that includes positive multigenerational family business involvement and effective business strategy.

Nominees in all categories also will be judged for their contributions and commitment to the community and evidence of building a more environmentally sustainable business.