Community Awards

The Meaford Annual Community Awards lets us recognize the Meaford businesses, organizations and individuals* that have made a positive impact in our community over the past year.

Organized by the Meaford Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by local businesses and organizations, and nominated by you in eight different categories, the winners will be selected by an independent Community Awards Selection Community made up of fellow Meaford citizens working with your recommendations.  Click here to see the 2023 Winners.

Submit your nominations by noon, April 6th, 2023 and then plan to attend our Community Awards presentation, Thursday, April 20th at the Meaford Hall and Culture Centre.  The Community Awards winners will be announced during a fun-filled evening of local music trivia.

*Note. Businesses and groups must be located in the Municipality of Meaford (i.e. their physical address, to include branches, franchises, and offices). Businesses and groups that are based outside of the Municipality of Meaford but operate, sell to, or support Meaford residents are not eligible. Persons must have a primary residence in the Municipality of Meaford.

Nominator Draw Prizes and Rules

Two Nominator’s Draw Prizes of $100 each will be randomly drawn from those who have submitted a duly completed nomination form, either online or in person at the Meaford Chamber of Commerce office at 13 Nelson St. W, Meaford, by the close of nominations.

A person can nominate as many businesses as they wish in each category, but their name will be entered into the draw just once, regardless of the number of nominations submitted.

Winners agree to have their name, image, and remarks made concerning their nominations and the Community Awards used for marketing and advertising purposes, to include internet, social media, print, radio, etc. To be eligible to win, Draw Entrants must prove that they are 18 years of age or older and residents of the Province of Ontario.  See full Draw Regulations here

How Are Winners Chosen?

The popular event kicks off when nominations open in early Spring, and local members of the public are invited to nominate their favourite businesses and people. Once the nomination stage is complete, the nominations are presented to a carefully chosen arms-length judging panel that will determine the winners.

The Awards Committee is made up of five Meaford residents who have extensive experience in the business and/or service community but are neither members nor immediate family members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Members of the judging panel are well familiarized with local businesses, events, and individuals active in our community.

All of the nominees are entered into a spreadsheet, including the comments on the nomination forms. From there, the Committee members carefully consider the nominees and compile a list of their top 3 picks from each category. Next, the Committee members meet to compare their top picks and to deliberate on who the winners will be. The panel is careful to ensure that recent winners are not chosen.

Nominations for 2023 closed as of April 6, noon.