BLACK TIE
EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Process

It takes a whole year, dozens of people, and the help of the community to prepare, and present the Black Tie Excellence Awards.

Months before the awards banquet, nomination forms are made available to the public, through community sponsors, retailers and businesses in the Cowichan Valley.  Nominations are also received online. Hundreds of nomination forms are filled out every year, and each one is individually reviewed by the nominations committee.

After determining that all eligibility factors have been met, the committee then begins the task of conducting telephone interviews nominators, gathering more information as to why the nominee should receive an award. A strict set of questions, designed for each of the categories, is used to ensure all nominees are rated equally. 

A confidential points system narrows the field to the semi-finalists. 

The semi-finalists are interviewed in person, by a team of two interviewers.  Again a specific set of questions is used, in conjunction with the points system.  The results are tabulated by an independent auditor. This provides the names of the finalists, and these are kept secret until the evening of the Awards Banquet.

There are three finalists in each of the Volunteer, Business Achiever, Home Based Business, and Young Entrepreneur categories. One winner in each category will receive the award.

There are 9 finalists in the Customer Service category. Third, second and first place awards are presented in this category.

Finalists are the Chamber’s special guests at the Black Tie Awards Banquet, to be held in the spring of 2010. Finalists are presented with special certificates of recognition, and a Black Tie Excellence lapel pin. Winners in each category are also honored with distinctive trophies. Dignitaries, peers, and the press attend to honor these outstanding individuals.