Ontario Global Traders Awards

1
Ontario Global Traders Awards
2
Program Overview

• Launched in 1998
• Celebrates export achievements of Ontario SMEs,
  business leaders and students
• Four regional ceremonies combined with half-day
  Export Forum and one provincial ceremony
• Three levels of awards for each category
  regional winners compete for provincial award
• Current Program Sponsors include Deloitte Export
  Development Canada CCC, the Canadian Commercial
  Corporation the Institute of Chartered
  Accountants of Ontario Canadian Business PROFIT
• Current Industry Sponsors include National
  Quality Institute RBC Financial Group

3
Statistics

• Since 1998, over 1,400 nominations received
• Over 5,500 individuals have attended the
• regional ceremonies and Export Forums and
• provincial ceremonies
• Regional events hosted by 20 different cities
• in Ontario

4
Nominations Process

• Two stages for nominations Part A and Part
• B forms
• Nominations can be self-nominated or
• nominated by others
• Nomination guide and Part A forms available
• online at www.ontarioglobaltraders.com

5
Judging Process

• 4 regional and 1 provincial judging panel
• Regional panels consist of 5 individuals
• 3 representing the private sector
• 1 representing the economic development community
• 1 representing the educational sector
• Judges are bound by a confidentiality and
• conflict of interest declaration

6
Program Criteria

• Private Sector for Profit SMEs
• Leaders who champion the cause of exporting
• Students under the age of 30
• SMEs and their partner(s)
• Six Award Categories
• Innovation
• Market Expansion (Product Services)
• Partnership
• Student Achievement
• Leadership

7
Program Criteria Detailed

• Innovation Award
• Recognizes excellence in the application of
  technology in the development of new products or
  services, and/or improvements to existing
  products or services that have led to consistent
  growth in exports and job creation.
• Specific criteria
• Annual sales of less than 100 million
• Maximum 200 employees
• In business in Ontario for at least three fiscal
  years
• Currently exporting to one or more countries
• Export sales are at least 15 per cent of total
  sales

8
Program Criteria Detailed

• Market Expansion Award (Two awards Product and
  Service)
• Recognizes pioneering spirit of Ontario SMEs that
  have successfully established themselves in new
  markets. Company must demonstrate a significant
  increase in export sales and job creation as a
  result of having entered a new market and/or must
  have overcome difficult obstacles in order to
  establish itself within that market.
• Specific criteria
• Annual sales of less than 100 million
• Maximum 200 employees
• In business in Ontario for at least three fiscal
  years
• Currently exporting to one or more countries
• Export sales are at least 15 per cent of total
  sales

9
Program Criteria Detailed

• Partnership Award
• Recognizes successful strategic or business
  alliances between Ontario-based SMEs and private
  or public sector partners. Partnerships must be
  unique alliances that are more than simply a
  buyer-seller relationship.
• At least one of the partners must
• Be an SME
• Have annual sales of less than 100 million
• Have a maximum 200 employees
• Be in business in Ontario for at least three
  fiscal years
• Be currently exporting to one or more countries
• Have export sales that are at least 15 per cent
  of total sales

10
Program Criteria Detailed

• Student Achievement Award
• Recognizes students who excel, seek opportunities
  and put into action what they have learned in the
  field of exporting and international trade.
• Criteria
• Residents of Ontario
• Under the age of 30 years (born in 1975 or later)
• Enrolled at an Ontario college or university for
  a minimum of 9 hours of
• classes per week

11
Program Criteria Detailed

• Leadership Award
• Recognizes individual men and women who are
  acknowledged by their peers for championing the
  cause of exporting in Ontario.
• Nominees must demonstrate how their contribution
  is above and beyond the scope of their current
  work duties and responsibilities.

12
Benefits of Participating

• Increased exposure and awareness of company and
  business activities
• Adds credibility with international customers as
  a result of the company
• winning a government award
• A boost to employee morale through recognition
  of their contributions
• Potential media coverage enhancing profile with
  customers, investors,
• employees and suppliers
• Winners have been invited to participate as
  speakers at the Export
• Forum, further increasing their visibility
• Winners have been profiled in OEIs Success
  Stories
• Networking opportunities with successful
  exporters and senior
• government officials at the Export Forums
• Award of Merit, Regional and Provincial winners
  are entitled to use of
• the OGTA logo for two years

13
Past Winners

• Souris River CanoesAtikokan, OntarioOwner
  Keith Robinson
• Souris River Canoes is one of the leading
  manufacturers of Kevlar canoes in the world
  today. Their canoes are unparalleled for
  lightweight and toughness because of the
  innovative techniques they have developed for
  working with epoxy resin. The company has a
  strong market presence in several U.S. states and
  is now looking to the European canoe market for
  future growth.

14
Past Winner

• Granite Tops Inc.
• Thunder Bay, Ontario
• President John Naccarato
• As the name states, the company supplies,
  fabricates and installs granite counter tops that
  feature a high standard of workmanship, on-time
  delivery and expert installation. The company's
  boosted its exports to the U.S. by developing and
  implementing a distinctive brand name for four
  product lines, organized into four groups with
  six granite samples in each, thereby simplifying
  consumer choice.

15
Timelines

• May, 2004 Nomination Guide and Nomination Forms
  available
• November 1, 2004 Deadline for receipt of Part A
  forms
• November 29, 2004 Deadline for receipt of Part B
  forms
• January, 2005 Regional judges meet
• March, 2005 Nominees notified of regional
  results
• Provincial judges meet
• April, 2005 Regional awards ceremonies and
  Export Forums (Northern Awards expected to be
  held in Thunder Bay, to be hosted by the
  Northwestern Ontario Development Network)
• May, 2005 Provincial award ceremony
• (Location date TBD)

16
Nominations

• If you have a company that you would like to
  nominate or provide more information to, there
  are brochures available at the Northwest- Midwest
  Alliance booth or on-line at
• www.ontarioexportsinc.com
• Thank you