About the Awards
The Chamber created the Small Business Excellence Awards in 1982 – later renamed the Excellence Awards Honoring the Region’s Small Businesses – to showcase the achievement and impact of small businesses in our region. Each year, businesses with fewer than 100 employees are recognized for their creativity, vitality, stability and relevance. Equally important in selecting winners are civic involvement and responsiveness, corporate responsibility, employee recognition and concerns regarding service issues.
Over the years, the scope of the Excellence Awards has grown with the help of the Small Business Board. The Small Business Board has created new initiatives and categories, increased involvement in the nomination process, and established criteria for measuring and defining excellence.
Visionary Award
2008 marked the inaugural presentation of the Chamber's Visionary Award — honoring a large national or international corporation that began as a small company in Greater Philadelphia and continues to contribute to the growth and success of our regional small business community.