In keeping with Black Tie tradition, nominations were open to the public for three months beginning in November 2022. This year’s Black Tie Awards feature nine award categories for Volunteer of the Year, Non-Profit Organizations, Art In Business, Green Business, Young Entrepreneur and Customer Service, as well as three Business Achievement categories.  Businesses, organizations and individuals across the entire Cowichan Region, including both Chamber Members and Non-Members, were eligible. 

As submissions are received, the Chamber notifies Nominees.  While Nominators are kept confidential, Nominees are delighted and honoured to know that someone was thoughtful enough to recognize their contributions to the Cowichan Region.  Still, some respectfully decline their nominations, and those Nominees are not represented in the attached lists.  It is also important to recognize that the total number of Nominees may not match the total number of submissions, as many Nominees receive multiple nominations across one or more award categories.

With nominations closed, the Chamber now turns its focus on contacting each Nominator to speak to their submissions. Information collected will then be adjudicated by a Panel in a round table format, following which three Finalists from each of the nine award categories will be selected.  The 27 finalists then have an opportunity to meet individually with the Adjudicators to speak to their respective nominations. Scores from the Nominations are then combined with scores from the Finalist Interviews, and the highest scored Finalist from each category becomes the Award Recipient. These results are audited and sealed until the Black Tie Awards celebration, which will be held at the Chemainus Theatre on the evening of May 9th.  Tickets for the event will go on sale through the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce in March.

The Black Tie Awards, presented in partnership with Island Savings, recognizes excellence in business and volunteerism across the Cowichan Region.  Thank you to all those who took the time to submit a nomination, and congratulations to all of the deserving Nominees for doing their part to make Cowichan an amazing place to work, live and play.