UPDATE, March 13, 2014 / Note the following schedule for the Small Business of the Year Awards presented by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. 
March 19, 2014 – Nomination Deadline – Packet criteria/guidelines sent to nominees as nominations submitted
April 17, 2014 – Nominee packet submission due
May 28, 2014 – Nominee Reception
May 30, 2014 – Small Business of the Year Awards Presentation
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The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce announces changes to its peer recognition event, the Small Business of the Year Awards, with the addition of several new categories.
Businesses with up to 500 employees are now eligible, and new categories have also been introduced this year including Minority Owned Business, Woman Owned Business and Young Professional Owned Business-Under 30. These changes are a reflection of the region’s growing and diverse business community.
“We wanted the awards to be an accurate representation of our membership and create a more inclusive opportunity for some of our region’s best and brightest businesses to be nominated,” said Nicki Anderson, president & CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is one of our most popular events and we enjoy shining the spotlight on our members and recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit.”
Every May, the chamber hosts the Small Business of the Year Awards to recognize outstanding businesses in the region. Attended by several hundred business owners, executives and members of the community, the ceremony is one of the largest events the chamber hosts. Nominated businesses compete to be named the top business in their category, and one of the category winners is named the overall Small Business of the Year. Many winners have gone on to win national acclaim at the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Awards.
Winners will be announced at a black-tie gala, during which a Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented. This award is given to people who have made a significant, positive impact on the community through volunteerism and dedication. Details on who has been selected as this year’s recipient will be forthcoming.
In addition to the three new categories, members can also submit nomination forms in the categories of Business to Business, Business to Consumer, and Not-For-Profit. In order to be eligible, businesses must be a member of the chamber for at least one year and have been in business for at least three years. Nominations are now being accepted through March 19. For more information, http://www.napervillechamberblog.org/sby/.
