spirit award categories

Lord Mayor’s Award of Excellence Presented to the Citizen of the Year

 

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant and ongoing contributions to Niagara-on-the-Lake over many years, benefiting the town in various areas such as business, philanthropy, and community involvement. The recipient is seen as a role model within the community.

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• Eligibility: A nominee has been a resident of, or business owner in, Niagara-on-the-Lake for a minimum of ten years and has made contributions to the improvement and betterment of Niagara-on-the-Lake.​
   

• Criteria: Nominations must include examples of acts taken over the course of years that demonstrate the nominee’s long-term commitment to the betterment of the town. Nominations should also indicate the community needs met by the actions of the nominee and reference the impact of such activities in the community.

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Dan Patterson Award for Youth Leadership

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As the President of Niagara College for over 25 years, Dan Patterson has dedicated his career to the education and mentorship of youth leaders in Niagara-on-the-Lake. He has encouraged young citizens to learn and to engage directly with their community. In this way they can share, in a meaningful way, what they have learned while helping the larger community. This award recognizes the achievements and leadership of a young member of the Niagara-on-the-Lake community. This young leader is a role model not only for our youth but for all of us.

 

This award recognizes the achievements and leadership of a young member of the Niagara-on-the-Lake community. This young leader is a role model not only for our youth but for all of us.

 

• Eligibility: Nominees must be a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake and be between the ages of 16-29. The nominee is engaged with the community, brings forward innovation, leadership and demonstrates a commitment to supporting those in the community. 
   

• Criteria: Nominations should provide specific examples of the nominee’s community engagement and the impact of that engagement on the community. Identify the qualities and actions that demonstrate how the individual stands out and what sets them apart as a leader.

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Community Leadership Award

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This award recognizes the recipient’s significant and ongoing contributions to Niagara-on-the-Lake over the course of the year. The various contributions, in business, philanthropy and/or community involvement, have benefitted the town as a whole and helped make Niagara-on-the-Lake a better place to visit and live. The recipient is a role model for others within the community.

 

• Eligibility: A nominee can be a business, group or individual who has made outstanding contributions to the community of Niagara-on-the-Lake over the last year. The nominee’s contributions have helped lift the community spirit and show continuous support for Niagara-on-the-Lake.
   

• Criteria: Nominations should include a number of examples of acts taken over the course of the year that demonstrate the nominee’s commitment to the betterment of the town.

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Business of the Year Award

 

The award recognizes a business that has made a significant impact on its industry during the course of the year. The business’s growth and development has made it a leader in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. This business consistently demonstrates its commitment to good corporate citizenship and to the community of Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

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• Eligibility: The nominee is a company/business or organization located in Niagara-on-the Lake for a minimum of four years who has made an impact on its industry.
   

• Criteria: Nominations should identify the nominee’s specific industry, and describe the nominee’s contributions to that industry and reference their impact on that industry and community.

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Peter Ling Award for Business Leadership

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Peter Ling owned and operated The Olde Angel Inn for many years. He was a business leader, a long-time Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce, and he gave generously of his time to the improvement and growth of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s businesses and to the community. He was an inspiration and friend to many. 

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This award recognizes a Niagara-on-the-Lake business leader at the top of their field. The individual recipient of this award has distinguished him/herself through corporate leadership, a commitment to excellent service and community involvement. They inspire others within their industry and instill a sense of pride in being a business in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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• Eligibility: The nominee has or had a business in Niagara-on-the-Lake and has shown leadership in their business’ industry. 
   

• Criteria: Nominations should address the points set out in the description of the award. More specifically, nominations should include evidence of the business leader’s success, commitment to corporate leadership and evidence of involvement or engagement in the larger industry.

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Celia Liu Award for Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism

 

Celia Liu represented the highest quality in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. A beacon of positive energy, Ms. Liu dedicated her life to hospitality and believed in always putting the customer first. She was a great supporter of the Chamber of Commerce and committees as well as the community of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Ms. Liu challenged all of us to make sure our guests and staff were well- treated and respected.

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This award recognizes an individual delivering excellence in the field of hospitality and tourism. As a focal point of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the hospitality and tourism industry have always been a positive and unifying influence on the lives of those in the community.

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• Eligibility: The nominee has been a resident of, business owner, or employee in Niagara-on-the-Lake and has demonstrated the high standard of providing excellent service and support to the hospitality and tourism industry in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
   

• Criteria: Nominations should describe the nature of the business/work of the nominee and evidence how the nominee excels in the hospitality and tourism industry. Examples may include demonstrated commitment to customer/client service and how this sets the nominee apart from others in the industry. A demonstrated commitment to local products and supply chains will be viewed as an asset.

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Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

 

Entrepreneurs are more than just business owners; they are born from passion and determination to take a vision and dream and turn it into a new business or venture. These are visionaries who are willing to work hard and take risks. They are creative and innovative in their approach to new business ventures. 

 

This award recognizes an individual, company or organization demonstrating great initiative and innovation to establish a new business venture or project within the last 3 years. Through hard work and dedication, the recipient has successfully brought a new venture to fruition that positively impacts Niagara-on-the-Lake.

 

• Eligibility: The nominee is a resident of, or business in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The business or venture has been active for less than three years and is not an extension, or new location of an existing business.
   

• Criteria: Nominations includes examples of challenges overcome, evidence of perseverance and uniqueness of idea/business. The recipient has successfully brought a venture to fruition that positively impacts its industry, other businesses and/or the community within the last three years. In this way the recipient has added to the dynamic growth and vibrancy of the town.

 

The Christopher Newton Award for Arts and Culture

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Arts, culture and heritage has helped forge the identity of Niagara-on-the-Lake and made it a standard in Canada to strive for by preserving and strengthening a sense of place and history. A community can often be defined when connected with arts, culture and heritage while promoting creativity, inward contemplation and societal advancement. 

This award is dedicated after Christopher Newton, renowned artist, director and the Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival from 1979 to 2002. He re-imagined what the Shaw Festival could be in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the larger performance arts community in Canada. Mr. Newton’s passion for the Shaw Festival stands as a model to be emulated by all those in our community today. 

 

The arts, culture and heritage play a vital role in the economic life of Niagara-on-the-Lake. This award recognizes a significant accomplishment and/or contribution to the promotion, celebration and preservation of local performing arts, local visual arts, local heritage or heritage institutions.  Recipients may include, but are not limited to, organizers of specific events or festivals, non-profit organizations or groups, for profit businesses, philanthropists, volunteers, advocates, and all artists and creators. 

 

• Eligibility: Open to all 
   

• Criteria: Nominations should identify both the nominee’s specific contribution to, and impact on, the local arts, culture and heritage of Niagara-on the-Lake.

 

Outstanding Achievement in Agriculture Award

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This award recognizes a local business, organization or farm which has displayed ingenuity in innovation and achieved positive results in the agricultural community/business practices the past year. The recipient’s effort could relate to a wide range of goals and areas such as time-saving, reducing inputs, improving soil health, food and beverage production, manufacturing and all other possible benefits for betterment of Niagara-on-the-Lake and making the recipient a leader in this field. 

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• Eligibility: The nominee is a business, venture, organization, farm or individual involved in any/all forms of agricultural practices in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
   

• Criteria: Nominations include examples of the nominee’s innovative efforts and positive contributions to the agricultural growth and practices in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

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Chamber of Commerce Award

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This award will highlight a business, group or individual who has demonstrated support and continuous hard work for the improvement of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce. The recipient’s actions will have impacted the community positively and inclusively.

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• Eligibility: Nominees who demonstrate support and hard work towards the betterment of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Chamber of Commerce,  and who are suggested by a Chamber of Commerce Board Member. 
   

• Criteria: The recipient is determined by the Chamber of Commerce Board Members. All nominations are considered prior to selecting the one that demonstrates the most positive and inclusive community impact.