All profit-centered business organizations, operating in the Town of Lincoln, are eligible for nomination. All nominees must have been in business for a minimum of three years. OBAA recipients from the last two years do not qualify unless they are eligible under a different category. It is not required that a nominee be a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. You can nominate your own business.

There are THREE “Business of the Year Award” CATEGORIES:

• SMALL – Businesses with 1-10 FTE* Employees
• MEDIUM – Businesses with 11-30 FTE* Employees
• LARGE – Businesses with 31+ FTE* Employ
  
  

*FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) refers to the number of paid staff, whether full-time, part-time, fixed-term contract, salaried or hourly, working between 35 and 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

This award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of an individual under the age of 40 (at the time of nomination) who has tackled the challenges of entrepreneurship and/or has demonstrated leadership or professional growth in their field of work. This individual:

• Is under the age of 40 (as of December 31, 2022)
• Is an individual who is part of a Chamber member business in good standing
• Has demonstrated leadership within their workplace and/or within the community
• Has contributed to the community through active participation in community initiatives
• And/or has demonstrated entrepreneurial ability and innovation in any of the following areas:
  • New product(s) and/or customer service initiative
  • Technology
  • Management and/or processes

This award recognizes excellence in the Agriculture and Agri-business sector. The recipient is an Agriculture or Agribusiness focused organization that consistently demonstrates achievement in the area of their business focus. The recipient can range from a farming enterprise through to a beverage and food producer and can include support organizations such as warehouses, wholesalers, processors and retailers. This award recognizes one local business that has demonstrated considerable achievement in the Agri-business sector across a number of areas of concentration:

• Has the characteristics of a successful business with diversification, innovation, sound business practices, workplace safety, and community involvement.
• Shows leadership and outstanding achievement within their sector and has a propensity for continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates a commitment to the environment and the advancement and sustainability of the agriculture industry.
• Has contributed to the community through active participation in community initiatives.
• Shows a high level of care and concern for the community and has elements of social enterprise in their corporate culture.

This award recognizes business leadership as demonstrated through innovation, ongoing customer satisfaction and business success, staff development and training, community involvement and a propensity for marketing initiatives geared toward attracting visitors to Lincoln and the Niagara Region. The following are the business leadership attributes which are considered when selecting the award recipient:

• Demonstrates vision, collaboration, and innovation in its business philosophy and practices
• Exhibits a strong record of business success
• Achieves high levels of customer service excellence, that elevates the overall visitor and resident sentiment of the Niagara Benchlands
• Committed to human resource development and training
• Engaged with local community organizations and other businesses in joint initiatives and philanthropic activities
• Applies strategic marketing initiatives to attract visitors and increase visitor spending in the Town of Lincoln and Niagara Benchlands tourism destination

Harbour Estates boasts a strong, built-in structured floor for level walking and/or movement pieces.

Accessible washrooms available.

Parking will be available on grassy area, and path is a loose gravel/stones. Please be mindful of this. Notify parking attendants if you require accessible parking spots upon arrival and you will be accommodated.

Your OBAA ticket includes:

• A 3 catered course meal 
• Arrival cocktail (of your choice)
• Red/White wine available on the table (additional cash bar available)
• Attendee welcome gift bag

Please see our list of honourable past winners of the OBAAs.

Past Winners.