The C-Suite Awards honor C-level executives for the leadership, business and civic contributions they have made to their organizations and to the suburban Chicago community in the suburban circulation area of the Daily Herald Business Ledger (Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County and Will County.)
(Please see eligibility and procedure below.)
NOMINATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED
Click here to view the profiles of the 2020 C-Suite Awards Honorees.
C-SUITE OF THE YEAR AWARDS GUIDELINES
Consideration is given to the executive's contributions to their company or organization's overall growth, commitment to good ethics, effective reporting and involvement in the community.
Note: Selection is not based solely on record monetary results. Executive accomplishments will come in many forms and each will be considered on their merit.
Eligible C-Suite Titles
• Chief Executive / Operating Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Information Technology Officer
• Chief Human Resources Officer
• Chief Legal Officer
• Chief Marketing Officer
• Other Appropriate "C-Level" Executive
Industry Categories:
• For Profit
• Non-Profit (Both 501c3 and 501c6 organizations are eligible)
• Government
• Educational Institution
NOMINATION PROCEDUREIndividuals, businesses or organizations may submit nominations. Nominations must be submitted online at www.dhbusinessledger.com using the online form.
A cover letter is recommended from business management, customers, employees or others familiar with the nominated individual. The letter is helpful to our editorial staff that will conduct the judging.
After the nomination is submitted, the nominee will be asked to submit a nomination portfolio consisting of supporting materials. (See C-Suite Awards Nominee Checklist below.)
Self-nomination is permitted.
Electronic submissions of supporting materials are strongly encouraged and should be emailed to blawards@dailyherald.com.
All information and supporting materials should be received by 5 p.m. June 18, 2021 via email to blawards@dailyherald.com.Eligibility:
Nominated individuals should have a significant business presence in the Chicago suburbs. If the individual does not have a business address in the suburbs, then the suburban business presence must be described in supporting materials.
Previous honorees in the Business Ledger's C-Suite Awards or CFO of the Year Awards are NOT eligible.
Selection Process:
Judges' decisions are made from personal knowledge of the nominees and/or the quality of the supporting materials that are submitted.
All nominees will be notified of their status following the judging.
NOMINATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED
C-SUITE AWARDS NOMINEE CHECKLIST
Please use this guide to provide additional information/materials about your company or organization. Include whatever information you think would be helpful to the selection committee in considering this year's honorees.
Remember, judging is conducted solely from the quality of the information and materials submitted. Please do not submit audio/visual materials or materials that must be returned.
Candidates for the C-Suite Awards will demonstrate their achievements in the following areas:
• Describe how this candidate has advanced and contributed to the success of the company for which he or she works.
• Describe how this candidate has advanced and shown leadership within the industry to which her or his company belongs and or the area of company operations.
• Describe how this candidate is involved with and shown leadership within the community.
• Describe or list how this candidate has continued to develop professionally earning additional certifications and/or degrees.• Describe or list this candidate's other significant achievements such as honors, awards and recognitions.
Additional Considerations
• History of the executive's company/organization and a mission statement if applicable.
• Describe the growth of the organization during the CFO's tenure.
• Achievements, honors and awards.
• Contributions to or reinvestment in the community.
• Marketing or sales brochures.
• Brief biography or resume.
• Testimonials/newspaper articles.
• Annual report or summary indicating the success of the company or organization, if applicable.
NOMINATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED
FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
What do you do with the nomination supporting materials that I provide?
A. The supporting materials that you provide are the basis for selection. The material is also used to profile your company at the recognition event and in the follow-up issue to the event. You should NOT submit any materials that you do not want disclosed either verbally or in print.
How much financial information must we disclose?
A. Not that much. There is no need to disclose proprietary information. We are looking for some general benchmarks of financial growth and success. Percentages are often used. (e.g. "the company grew by over 200 percent in the last five years and expects sales to exceed $25 million in 2022.")
Why should our company participate in this awards program?
A. The awards provide a significant public relations opportunity and let's your entire company share in your success. The retail value of an article about your company if purchased as ad space would be valued at approximately $2,000. Honorees are profiled in the Daily Herald Business Ledger as well as online through our e-mail newsletter The Business Edge. You can send out your own press release to interested media. You can post your company's honor on your web page and insert copies of articles in your sales kits. You will also have the opportunity to meet other successful business executives who are being honored.
Who does the judging and what are they looking for?
A. The editorial staff of the Daily Herald Business Ledger conducts the judging. They are looking for a diverse group of honorees: by industry, size of organization, financial success, product or service. Our goal is to select a representative sample of entrepreneurs who are successful in our community. We are looking for good business stories.
Is there a recognition event?
A. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, all recognition events, including C-Suite Awards, will be presented virtually. Honorees will be featured in a presentation that will include a profile of the recipient and/or company being recognized. Honorees will also be profiled in a special publication in the Aug. 23 issue of the Business Ledger and online. Stay connected with us on Facebook, facebook.com/DHBizLedger.
What happens after the nomination is entered?
A. The week after the deadline, the nominee will receive an e-mail acknowledging the nomination. At that time the nominee will be asked to submit additional materials to support their nomination.
NOMINATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED
Questions? E-mail Kat Polomsky at kpolomsky@dailyherald.com or call (847) 427-4637.
For more information regarding the C-Suite of the Year Awards as well as for advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andy Zielonka, Manager of Sales & Operations, at (630) 955-3592 or azielonka@dailyherald.com
Click here for profiles of the 2020 honorees
Click here for profiles of the 2019 honorees
