WPMSDC will be hosting the Ninth Annual Awards Gala on Friday, October 4th at The LeMont. The PNC Financial Services Group is the diamond sponsor. We are now seeking nominations for award winners in a variety of categories. This is a great way to show your appreciation to a deserving corporate member or minority business enterprise and help them get media exposure. The deadline for Supplier of the Year nominations is April 29th and all other nominations are needed by July 30. Please submit your nominations as soon as possible to give your nominee enough time to collect the information that will be used to determine the winner. We will only accept nominations from WPMSDC Corporate Members and Certified MBEs.
Below are descriptions of the awards you can submit nominations for. Self nominations are welcome! Please click the links to open the nomination forms.
MBE Supplier of the Year Award - due April 29
This award recognizes and honors the minority businesses, which demonstrates sound business management and growth, quality of products and services, MBE to MBE purchases, regional council involvement and community involvement.
Award criteria: Outstanding quality of products/services, prompt and timely initiatives; and the ability to make things happen. This award is presented in four categories based on the minority-owned company's annual revenue.
Economic Impact Award
This award is for an individual, organization, or company in the Western Pennsylvania region for their positive impact toward the advancement of minority business enterprises and/or minority business development by making a long-term commitment and by adding sustainability to these firms; and for their involvement and support of the community.
Award criteria: Significance of jobs attracted, retained or created in relation to a community's economic development objectives; noteworthy, creative, or innovative techniques brought to bring on challenging economic development in regards to minority supplier development; and the use of partnerships for leveraged resources in achieving business development goals.
Media Award
This award recognizes the media representative that has actively supported minority supplier development news in the Western Pennsylvania area.
Award criteria: Displays a commitment to minority supplier development and support of the council by using media resources to raise awareness of significant accomplishments by minority businesses.
Corporate Advocate of the Year
This award recognizes and honors the corporate representative that has promoted the mission of the WPMSDC through supplier relations and to increase corporate membership of the WPMSDC.
Award criteria: Displays an aggressive leadership role by building relationships with minority businesses; actively takes the value of supplier diversity to corporate heads, and develops initiatives to expand minority-owned businesses.
Corporate Volunteer of the Year
This award recognizes and honors the corporate representative that has volunteered their time and has supported programs that encourage minority business development initiatives.
Award criteria: Showcases initiative, sustained commitment, impact and innovation to the cause and mission of the WPMSDC.
Harold T. Bushey Award
This award is for a corporate or government agency representative in honor of Mr. Harold Bushey, a lifelong community leader who played an important role in the development and support of the Pittsburgh region.
Award criteria: Significantly contributes to the success of WPMSDC through innovative ideas.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is given to an individual who has made a lifelong commitment to minority business.
Award criteria: That has dedicated 20 years or more of their career to the development and advancement of minority business.
MBE Volunteer of the Year
This award for significant achievement is presented by the Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Development Council each year to a MBE representative for their dedication and contribution of their personal time to support the programs of the WPMSDC/NMSDC that encourage minority business development initiatives; and has the ability to make things happen.
Award criteria: Showcases initiative, sustained commitment, impact and innovation to the cause and mission of the WPMSDC.
John H. Adams Corporation of the Year Award
Previously named "MBEIC Corporation of the Year", the WPMSDC's top award recognizes and honors the corporation that has given significant opportunities to local MBEs in the Western Pennsylvania region. This award was named to honor the first executive director of the WPMSDC, Mr. John H. Adams.
Award criteria: Showcases initiative, sustained commitment, impact and innovation to the cause and mission of the WPMSDC.
