Building on the success of the Exporter of the Year Awards, the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development launches the Newfoundland and Labrador Export & Innovation Awards. We are broadening our acknowledgments and celebrating the province’s best in both Export and Innovation. The awards provide well deserved recognition for our province’s exporters and innovators, who are carving new opportunities and market niches with their products and services.

The Export & Innovation Awards are a celebration of achievements and accomplishments in Export and Innovation in the following three areas:

Exporter of the Year
The Exporter of the Year Award acknowledges the outstanding success of local entrepreneurs and businesses that have achieved commercial export success. The recipient of this award has significantly contributed to the province’s economic growth and has excelled at competing and succeeding in the global marketplace.

   Previous Award Winners 

Innovation in Business
The Innovation in Business Award recognizes a company for its outstanding achievement in creating new opportunities to advance its business through innovation. The recipient has successfully launched an innovative product, process, or service through its strategic risk-taking. This approach has positively impacted the company’s growth and market potential.

Distinction in Innovation
The Distinction in Innovation Award recognizes an individual or group that makes an outstanding contribution towards Newfoundland and Labrador’s innovative culture. The recipient is a leader who is enthusiastic about fostering new ideas that has positively impacted the province and its people. The recipient has created or identified successful opportunities for industry by collaborating and building partnerships.

Finalists for the Export & Innovation Awards are nominated by their peers, and individuals may nominate their own company, group or organization. The award winners receive official recognition for their outstanding performance, enhancing their reputation in the provincial, national and international community.

Nominations
The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development invites nominations for the 2008 Export & Innovation Awards. Three finalists will be chosen from each award category and winners will be named at the Awards Luncheon to be held at the Fairmont Hotel on April 18, 2008.

Eligibility

Exporter of the Year
Companies must be registered in Newfoundland and Labrador and have been exporting goods or services outside Canada for at least three years. The nominees will be evaluated on: Newfoundland and Labrador content, the range of market penetration, the company’s ability to hold market share in the face of strong external competition, the ratio of export sales to total sales, the uniqueness of the company’s products and services, the extent to which the company has been innovative in its approach, and the level of research and development leading to the expansion of the company’s products and/or services.

Innovation in Business
Private sector companies and for-profit co-operatives based in Newfoundland and Labrador are eligible for this award. The nominees will be evaluated on: creativity and uniqueness, management, the usage of technology and innovation, the product or service innovation and its impact on the company’s performance.

Distinction in Innovation
Individuals, groups, non-profit organizations, education institutions, and not-for-profit co-operatives based in Newfoundland and Labrador can be nominated for this award. The nominees will be evaluated on: the level of successful partnerships and collaboration, the activities and contributions to support innovation, and the benefits to industry and the province overall.

   2008 Award Winners 

Please note: Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments and its agencies as well as employees for their achievement exclusively related to employment, are not eligible for this award.

To nominate, please download the nomination form and submit it to the department. Nominees will be notified and asked to accept the nomination and complete an application for each award. The deadline for nominations is April 4, 2008. Please submit your nominations early.

Finalists will be selected through an assessment process involving government and industry stakeholders.

Brochure (PDF)   Nomination Form (PDF)

For more information, please contact