The East Orlando Chamber of Commerce (EOCC) is excited to announce the first Annual Bravatto Awards. This red carpet affair celebrates the leading players in our community, including, outstanding chamber members, shining stars in community leadership, and the heroes who volunteer their time with exceptional service and contributions to the 440 square miles of East Orange County and the Greater Orlando Region served by the EOCC.
Finalists will be recognized at the Bravatto Awards Ceremony and Performing Arts Showcase on Saturday September 7th, 2024 from 6-10PM at Valencia College East Performing Arts Center and featured in the East Orlando Chamber Source e-newsletter as well as EOCC social media platforms and in various media outlets.
Process
A selection committee will oversee the entire process, ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to the established criteria. Their role will include validating the nominations, compiling the votes, and preparing announcements of the finalists. This process aims to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations within the East Orlando Chamber community.
The selection process for the top three nominees in each category using a selection committee will involve the following steps:
Nomination Phase
All East Orlando Chamber members will be emailed with the list of awards and award criteria. The General public will also be invited to make nominations for community eligible awards through social media, email blasts, and media outlets.
Members can submit nominees for each award category, with the ability to nominate up to three people or organizations per category. (Only One Nomination is needed for consideration, this is not a popularity contest)
A person or organization is only eligible to win one award. (There will be no duplicate finalists or award winners in various categories)
The Chamber selection committee will compile all the submitted nominations and identify the top three (3) nominations who will become finalists for each category based on a completed application and nominee alignment with award criteria.
Top Three Finalist Announcement
The three (3) finalists will be notified by the selection committee via email and phone call to be invited to accept their nomination and fill out a finalist application which will be reviewed by the appropriate review committee as outlined below.
All East Orlando Chamber members will be emailed with a list of the top three finalists for each award category once all finalists have accepted their nomination.
For Chamber Specific awards, a review panel selected from a network of Chamber Professionals located outside of Central Florida area will review the top three (3) finalists and use a scoring rubric system detailed below to establish the winner of each category.
For community eligible awards, a review panel made up of East Orlando Chamber Trustee Members will review the top three (3) finalists and use a scoring rubric system detailed below to establish the winner of each category. If a Trustee is nominated for one of these awards, they will recuse themselves from the scoring for that award. Each award must have a majority (50%+1) participation of participating Trustee Members. If a majority participation is not available or possible, a substitute review panel member will be selected by the selection committee.
The selection committee will compile all scores from both review panels to determine the finalist with the best score in each category as the winner of that category.
Recognition at the Event
The Top Three finalists in each category will be recognized at the BRAVATTO AWARDS Ceremony and will receive a certificate for their nomination. A complimentary ticket will be provided along with a 10% discount for up to 8 additional event tickets.
Winners of each award category will be announced and presented with a physical award during the event on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
(INDIVIDUAL) EOCC Board members, employees, and immediate relatives of employees are not eligible for nomination to ensure fairness and impartiality in the selection process.
Entries will be verified by Chamber staff for accuracy.
TIP: Answer the nomination form questions first in a text document and save your answers. Then copy and paste your answers into the online form. This will come in handy if the online nomination form times out or technical issues prevent your answers from being submitted. We cannot send you a copy of your answers.
TIP: Please note that the contact information provided must be that of the nominee — not a public relations firm. Public relations firms nominating clients must provide direct contact information for the nominee and should inform their clients of the nomination.
Nomination deadline: July 31, 2024 by 5:00 PM EST
Questions? Contact Dorothy Hardee (dorothyh@eocc.org) or Andrew Cole (andrew@eocc.org) 407-277-5951
AWARD DESCRIPTIONS & CRITERIA
Innovator Award
Available ONLY for EOCC Chamber Member Organizations
This award celebrates individuals or organizations that exemplify forward-thinking approaches in embracing technology, innovation or preparing for the future. Nominees for this award have demonstrated innovative strategies, initiatives, or projects that harness technology to drive positive change and enhance future readiness within the community or the chamber of commerce.
Emerging Member Award
Available ONLY for EOCC Chamber Member Organizations
The Emerging Member Award recognizes the accomplishments of a Chamber member organization of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce who has demonstrated commitment and active involvement within the Chamber community. Must be an East Orlando Chamber member in good standing for three (3) years or less.
Legacy Member Award
Available ONLY for EOCC Chamber Member Organizations
The Legacy Member Award honors an esteemed member organization of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce who has demonstrated longstanding commitment and active involvement within the chamber community while also demonstrating success and impact in their respective industry. Must be an East Orlando Chamber member in good standing for more than three (3) years.
Community Champion Award
Open to Any Individual
This individual is a proven, true community servant who has not only exhibited a passion for service but also a true sense of leadership and community through their work. This individual may have left a lasting legacy through their lifetime of work OR they may have made a recent impact in our community over the past year. Either way, they are a true force for good and have made or are making a real difference in our community and in the lives of those they serve.
Magnolia Award
Community Recipient - Public Servant/Leader
The Magnolia Award recognizes a distinguished public servant or leader within the community who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and service to the betterment of Orange County and the Greater Orlando Area. This individual's unwavering commitment to public service, leadership qualities, and significant contributions have positively influenced the community's welfare and advancement.
Maestro in Education Award
Community Recipient - Educator, Administrator, Unsung Hero in Education
This individual is a proven champion and advocate for education in our community either as an educator, an administrator, or other faculty member at an educational institute or organization of any level. This individual has made an impact on our community through education and has demonstrated not only a passion for education but also a true sense of leadership and community through their work in education. This individual may have left a lasting legacy through their lifetime of work in education OR they may have made a recent impact in our community over the past school year. Either way, they are a true force for good and have made or are making a real difference in their students’ lives or in the lives of those they serve through their work.
Impresario Award
Community Recipient - Performing Arts Champion
This individual is a proven champion and advocate for the arts in our community either as a philanthropist, as a performer, artist, champion of the arts or as a leader of an arts organization. This individual has made an impact on our community through the arts and has demonstrated not only a passion for the arts but also a true sense of leadership and community through their work in the arts.
