April Lovelace, director of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced the newest award to debut at the annual Chamber Banquet in November as the “Excellence in Business Award.”

Lovelace said, “I have been wanting the Chamber to recognize a local business through an award like this for the past three years. We have a large membership and all they must do to be considered is complete the application form for either themselves or another Chamber business.

“‘The Excellence in Business’ award winner is chosen by a panel of peers and is based on demonstrated commitment of the business to the community.”

 Requirements are as follows: Nominees are required to be a member of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce; nominees may be from either profit or non-for-profit sectors; Involvement, achievement and leadership accomplishments must be demonstrated by the nominee; businesses must have an operating history of at least five years; demonstration of excellence in business practices; business/professional references required; demonstration of community involvement; “Excellence in Business” Selection Committee members and Chamber staff are not eligible for nomination.”

To nominate a business, a “courtesy call” to April Lovelace, Chamber Director, Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce, (601) 798-3122, with the name of your nominee to prevent duplication of nominations is requested. Candidates may nominate themselves. Complete the nomination form as thoroughly as possible to ensure a comprehensive profile of your nominee and turn form in no later than 4 p.m. on October 12, 2012.

Nominating parties will be asked to answer the following questions or do the following regarding the nominee: Describe the business in ten words or less;   attach a maximum of two hundred (200) words summarizing business; list the awards, honors and recognitions received from any organization, including descriptions if needed (Max 25 words each); list examples of press coverage (to be pasted as HTML addresses or sent to GPACOC, C/O April Lovelace/Excellence in Business Award); list examples of community involvement/positive impact on the Picayune area by the business (Max 75 words each); explain workplace excellence in leadership/management team innovation, growth in employment and employee satisfaction (Max 75 words each); demonstrate the nominee’s performance in customer service/quality and describe the use of local resources (utilizing educational institutions, natural resources, goods, services, etc.).

The awards will be presented to the selected recipients at the 2012 Annual Awards Banquet. For more information call 601-798-3122, or email aprillovelace@picayunechamber.org.