2013 BUFFALO NIAGARA BUSINESS ETHICS AWARDS PRESENTED TO THREE COMPANIES
The 7th annual Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Awards were presented today at a luncheon at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. The BNBEA annual award event raises community awareness of ethical behavior and pays tribute to companies that consistently demonstrate ethical conduct in everything they do.
Crystal awards were presented to one recipient in each of three business categories. The 2013 award recipients are:
- Elbers Landscape Service in the small business category (under 50 employees)
- The A.J. Baynes Group in the mid-sized business category (50-150 employees)
- Personal Touch Food Service in the large business category(over 150 employees)
“This year’s crystal award recipients choose the high road and consistently demonstrate exemplary ethical conduct in their businesses and professions,” said Fred Holender, Chair of the 2013 Awards Steering Committee. “In other words, these companies make a difference in our community, not just for what they do, but how they choose to do business,” added Holender.
In addition to the presentation of Crystal Awards, the Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Association awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Daniel B. Weinstein, an MBA student attending the Canisius College Richard J. Wehle School of Business in recognition of his excellent academic performance and commitment to integrity and ethical conduct.
Entries are reviewed by Canisius College MBA students, who recommend finalists in each category. A judging panel comprised of community leaders selected one finalist from each category as the 2013 Crystal Award recipient.
The 2013 Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Awards is presented by the Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Association in partnership with Lawley Insurance, Brock, Schechter & Polakoff, LLP, Canisius College Richard J. Wehle School of Business, Key Bank and West Herr Automotive Group.
BNBEA MISSION
The Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Association, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was established to foster and promote community awareness of ethical business practices within the Greater Buffalo Niagara Region and to recognize companies that are committed to business ethics.
2014 AWARD NOMINATIONS INFORMATION
BNBEA is accepting nominations for the 2013 Awards up until November1, 2013 for companies in three size categories by number of employees: Small – under 50, Mid-Sized – 50-150, and Large – more than 150. The nomination process is simple and nominations are welcomed from the general community, customers, suppliers, vendors, and employees. Self-nominations from the companies themselves are also encouraged.
2014 AWARD SUBMISSION PROCESS
Nominees who choose to proceed with a submission for the award will be assigned a mentor who will be available to guide them through the process, if desired. Submissions follow a clearly defined format and are due by January 31, 2014. All submissions are reviewed and vetted by the current MBA Class at Canisius College Wehle School of Business and 3 finalists from each of the three size category are selected as finalists. Those 9 companies are submitted to a Judging Panel of community, academic, business and professional leaders for selection of the award recipient in each business size category.
2014 AWARD LUNCHEON
On May 8, 2014 an awards luncheon is held at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens. At that event, all finalists are recognized for their accomplishments and the 3 Crystal Award recipients of the Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award are announced.
VALUE OF THE BNBEA AWARD
Companies that invested the time and effort to complete the application – an exercise in self-evaluation, defining mission, vision and values and the effect of their ethical cultures on their organizations, customers, vendors, and the general community – found that the process was extremely valuable. Crystal Award recipients proudly display their awards in their offices and include BNBEA-provided icons on letterhead and promotional materials.
