You have the power – the power to nominate your favorite Madison businesses for the 2021 Best in Business awards.

You may submit nominations for consideration in a variety of business categories. Nominations should be submitted to the Madison Chamber office on Hughes Road by Monday, September 13 to be considered. You may download the nomination form here.

The top four business awards include Best Non-profit Business of the Year, Start-Up Business of the Year, Best Small Business of the Year, and the prestigious Best Business of the Year.

The Best Business of the Year award should recognize a for-profit business who exercises the highest caliber of business service, practice, and ethics. Winners of this award are known for their community stewardship and civic responsibility.

Nominations for Best Small Business of the Year should embody the dedication, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit needed to daily sustain and grow a small business.

The Start-Up Business of the Year award recognizes a successful new business that shows a solid foundation for future growth and demonstrates a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, creativity, and drive to succeed. This nominee should be operational for at least one year, but no more than three years.

The Best Non-profit Business of the Year should show a strong commitment to a vision and their mission with a focus on maximizing and achieving social change.

There are two individual awards included in the nomination process.

Nominations for Community Servant of the Year should be someone who routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty in their role as either a civil servant or employee of a nonprofit organization. The nominee must exemplify meritorious service to the Madison community and be employed by a nonprofit company with a valid 501(c) or other tax-exempt designation for a minimum of three years.

Nominations for Excellence in Leadership & Service is a highly regarded award that recognizes outstanding leadership and community stewardship excellence.

There are several categorical businesses that will be awarded as well.

The Health & Wellness Business of the Year should be an individual or organization dedicated to improving lives within the community through health or fitness. Their service can be through a professional association, business organization, a fitness or wellness center, therapeutic massage, pharmacy, assisted living facility, or a business that provides ‘non-medical practice’ health services.

This past year of pandemic will likely see the nomination of several Medical Practice of the Year potentials. The award recognizes an outstanding medical practice in any discipline that is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of patients in their field of expertise. Nominees may include medical, dental/orthodontic, surgical, chiropractic, ophthalmic, psychiatric, or other medical practices.

The nomination for Professional Service Business of the Year must be a formally certified member of their profession. This is generally an accounting firm; financial, legal, or real estate company; or an engineering or architectural firm. They should celebrate sustained excellence, integrity, and outstanding customer focus in their industry.

There is also a category for Essential Service Business of the Year. It recognizes an organization that demonstrates the highest standards of service, professionalism, and reliability to their customers. Nominees usually include marketing companies, printers, cleaning, moving, lawn care, clothing, and other services not requiring formal certification.

Culinary Business of the Year nominations honors the food and/or beverage service providers. Their passion for excellence in culinary preparation and service can include restaurants, breweries, grocery stores, food vendors, coffee shops, food trucks, and catering.

The Arts, Entertainment & Hospitality Business of the Year honors an outstanding organization dedicated to improving quality of life through the arts, travel, and/or leisure activities.

All nominees must be a member of the Madison Chamber of Commerce. They must have been in business or worked for an organization for at least a year and be recognized for their outstanding service; for following best business practices; and demonstrates professional ethics in all business transactions.