Prince George, BC – It is once again time to start thinking about which local businesses and service providers you’d like to see recognized with a Business Excellence Award.

Unlike the 15 award categories of previous years, the 2012 awards have been streamlined to a top ten.  Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO, Jennifer Brandle-McCall, says the change is a result of feedback solicited from sponsors, nominees, and attendees to the gala awards nights over the past few years.

Brandle-McCall says the change removes redundancies in what’s being celebrated from award to award and will increase the nominees in each category.  She also says it’s more in keeping with what other chambers in the province are doing, with few offering more than 10 awards.

"And I think a byproduct, which will also be a positive, is to reduce the length of the gala awards evening itself," she says.  "By having 10 awards, it allows us to make a little more space in our program for entertainment and some other things that will be part of this year’s program."

Nominations for the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards are open now until September 5th at 5pm.  Brandle-McCall is encouraging people to think about what businesses they go back to time and time again throughout the year – for their excellent customer service, their innovation, or for their contributions back to the community. 

"It’s really nice to give those businesses a bit of extra recognition and increase their profile by highlighting them with a nomination."