01

COMPANY OF THE YEAR – by company size

For the Company of the Year category, the judges look at overall company achievements and excellence (rather than focusing only on fast growth, innovations or employee culture as in some of the more focused company categories below).

Thus, in the submission, it is helpful to mention the entirety of the company’s success, which may range from demonstrated growth percentages (in the form of both revenue growth and/or staff growth percentages), through innovations (in terms of patents, inventions, first-to-market developments, company culture and policies, etc.), social or environmental responsibility programs and contributions; employee satisfaction and employee well-being programs; focus on customer service; to overall company excellence.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three company-size subcategories:
a. Company of the Year – Large (1000 and more employees)
b. Company of the Year – Medium (100-999 employees)
c. Company of the Year – Small (1-99 employees)

02

COMPANY OF THE YEAR – by geographical region

As in the first Company of the Year category, it is recommended to mention the entirety of the company’s success and include in the submission: demonstrated growth percentages (in the form of revenue growth and/or staff growth percentages); innovations (in terms of patents, inventions, first-to-market developments, company culture and policies, etc.); social or environmental responsibility programs and contributions; employee satisfaction and company culture; focus on customer service; and any other overall company successes.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the six regional subcategories (regions of the U.S. as defined by the U.S. census):
a. Company of the Year – Northeast U.S.
b. Company of the Year – South U.S.
c. Company of the Year – Midwest U.S.
d. Company of the Year – West U.S.
e. Company of the Year – East Canada (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland)
f. Company of the Year – West Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)

Tip: Companies are welcome to re-use the same submission in all three Company of the Year categories, where applicable.

03

COMPANY OF THE YEAR – by audience focus

As in the first Company of the Year category, it is recommended to mention the entirety of the company’s success and include in the submission: demonstrated growth percentages (in the form of revenue growth and/or staff growth percentages); innovations (in terms of patents, inventions, first-to-market developments, company culture and policies, etc.); social or environmental responsibility programs and contributions; employee satisfaction and company culture; focus on customer service; and any other overall company successes.

Winners in this category will be selected in two subcategories, depending on their audience focus:
a. Company of the Year – BtoB (companies focusing on the business – enterprise, SMB, etc. – market)
b. Company of the Year – BtoC (companies focusing on direct-to-consumer offerings)

Tip: Companies are welcome to re-use the same submission in all three Company of the Year categories, where applicable.

04

START-UP OF THE YEAR

Companies that began operations since January 1, 2023 are eligible. Overall company successes required, similar to the three Company of the Year categories above.

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the new Founding Team of the Year or Founder / Entrepreneur of the Year categories.

05

LOCAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Among large corporations and companies with global reach, this category is geared specifically to companies with only a local reach or clientele. Companies’ presence must be limited to one state or city. Overall company successes required, similar to the first three Company of the Year categories above.

06

FASTEST-GROWING COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Submission should focus on growth percentages, in the form of revenue, staff and/or client growth percentages.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three company-size subcategories:
a. Fastest-Growing Company of the Year – Large (1000 and more employees)
b. Fastest-Growing Company of the Year – Medium (100-999 employees)
c. Fastest-Growing Company of the Year – Small (1-99 employees)

07

COMEBACK COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Submission should focus on operational or financial improvements, in the form of revenue, staff and/or client growth percentages.

08

MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Submission should focus on innovations in terms of patents, inventions, first-to-market developments, company culture and policies, etc.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three company-size subcategories:
a. Most Innovative Company of the Year – Large (1000 and more employees)
b. Most Innovative Company of the Year – Medium (100-999 employees)
c. Most Innovative Company of the Year – Small (1-99 employees)

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the Innovator of the Year or Most Innovative Product, Service or Product Feature of the Year categories.

09

MOST CUSTOMER FRIENDLY COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Submission should focus on customer satisfaction and customer support success rates (e.g. efficient response times and satisfactory resolution of customer concerns). Customer success case studies or quotes from satisfied customers are encouraged.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three company-size subcategories:
a. Most Customer Friendly Company of the Year – Large (1000 and more employees)
b. Most Customer Friendly Company of the Year – Medium (100-999 employees)
c. Most Customer Friendly Company of the Year – Small (1-99 employees)

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used, often with minimal to no tweaks, to also enter the Support Department or Support Executive of the Year categories.

10

MOST SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Submission should focus on overall social responsibility programs and contributions.

Tip: For any specific submissions of a single focused social responsibility campaign, please consider entering Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year category.

11

MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Submission should focus on overall environmental responsibility programs and contributions.

Tip: For any specific submissions of a single focused environmental responsibility campaign, please consider entering Environmental Responsibility Program of the Year category.

12

MOST RESILIENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR

With the global spread of COVID-19, every organization has been put to the test. This category submission should focus on resiliency indicators, including growth, crisis management, customer service and support, social responsibility etc., in the face of crises, including but not limited to the current global pandemic.

Tip: For any specific submissions of a single focused crisis management program or response, please consider entering Crisis Management Program of the Year or Crisis Response of the Year categories.

13

BEST PLACE TO WORK

Submission should focus on demonstrated employee satisfaction and employee well-being programs (e.g. flexible work arrangements, mentoring, financial and lifestyle perks).

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three company-size subcategories:
a. Best Place to Work – Large (1000 and more employees)
b. Best Place to Work – Medium (100-999 employees)
c. Best Place to Work – Small (1-99 employees)

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used, often with minimal to no tweaks, to also enter the HR Department or HR Executive of the Year categories.

14

ADVERTISING OR MARKETING AGENCY OF THE YEAR

All advertising, creative, digital marketing and marketing agencies are eligible, from local companies to global corporations conducting business in the U.S. or Canada. Submission should focus on overall agency successes, as in the first three Company of the Year categories above.

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used to also enter the Creative Department or Creative Executive of the Year categories. For any specific submissions of a single focused advertising or marketing campaign, please consider entering Advertising Campaign or Marketing Campaign of the Year category.

15

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

All law firms are eligible, from local companies to global corporations conducting business in the U.S. or Canada. Submission should focus on overall law firm successes, as in the first three Company of the Year categories above.

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used, often with minimal to no tweaks, to also enter the HR Department or HR Executive of the Year categories.

16

PR AGENCY OF THE YEAR

All communications and public relations agencies are eligible, from local companies to global corporations conducting business in the U.S. or Canada. Submission should focus on overall agency successes, as in the first three Company of the Year categories above.

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used to also enter the PR Department or PR Executive of the Year categories. For any specific submissions of a single focused PR campaign, please consider entering PR Campaign of the Year category.

17

NONPROFIT OR GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

All nonprofit and government organizations are eligible, from local organizations to national chapters of global organizations. Submission should focus on overall organization successes, as in the first three Company of the Year categories above.