16th Annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics
will be held in December 2013 at the Town and Country Hotel
APPLY NOW!
What are the “BBB Torch Awards? The mission of your Better Business Bureau is to promote and foster the highest ethical relationship between businesses and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence. In this spirit, your BBB conducts an annual awards program to gain public recognition for businesses and organizations that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical fashion. Each year, companies of different sizes are selected through a regional competition to receive a Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. Winning entries will then be forwarded to the Council of Better Business Bureau’s International Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics competition.
The Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics is designed to promote not only the importance of ethical business practices, but the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honorable. Every winner and finalist of a BBB Torch Award has an unprecedented opportunity for public recognition and well-deserved visibility.
The Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics is open to all businesses and organizations that service San Diego and/or Imperial County markets. Companies must be in good standing with the BBB; however, BBB Accreditation is not a requirement for entry or consideration.
Entering the BBB Torch Awards competition:
1. Company must complete and sign an official 2013 entry form (entry form will be available March 13th).
2. Company must submit a three-ring binder or in digital format (PDF or PPT) highlighting company’s commitment to ethics, integrity and building trust in the following four judging criteria (binder may not exceed 2”):
a. Management Practices
b. Community/Investor/Stakeholder Relations
c. Communications and Marketing Practices
d. Industry Reputation
3. Company must include a 2-page Executive Summary. The summary should:
a. Explain why company merits consideration for the award
b. Highlight specific business and management practices relevant to the award
c. Illustrate company’s commitment to standards that build trust in the marketplace
d. Explain company’s position on integrity and standards of conduct in relationships with all stakeholders
Want help? Join us at a free Torch Award Entry Workshops:
The BBB offers free, one-hour workshops designed to help companies with the entry process and understanding the four criteria in depth. These informal lunch workshops offer guidance, ideas, and the ability to look at winning entries from previous years. All workshops are held at 12:00noon at the BBB offices (lunch is provided) and last approximately one hour. FIND A WORKSHOP AND LEARN MORE…
“Attending the Torch Workshops gave us great insight as to what the goals of the Torch Award are and how to achieve them. The BBB staff offer a lot of support and were always there when I needed feedback on our application or the process. It’s really helpful to see the binders of past winners, discuss ideas, and build on our binder each year.” Erin Vejar, San Diego Law Firm, 2012 Torch Award Finalist
“The Torch Award Workshop was invaluable in helping us create a Finalist recognition in 2012.” Pam Beith, Milholland Electric Inc., 2012 Torch Award Finalist
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM for High School Students:
Do you know a college-bound junior or senior that could use a cash scholarship?
The BBB conducts an annual scholarship program in conjunction with the Torch Awards. The BBB offers cash scholarships to five high school students who write the best essays on the importance of ethics and integrity in our community. For more information, please visit our SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM webpage
Interested in promoting your company at the event?
We have several sponsorship opportunities available.
Please contact Shelley Bradley for additional information and to sign up!
PLEASE NOTE: Companies who enter the Torch Awards are not eligible to sponsor the event, but can support the BBB year-round as an “Ethics and Integrity Supporter,” purchase a table of eight, and/or individual seats at the luncheon.
Special Thanks to our current 2013 Torch Award Sponsors:
Presenting Scholarship Sponsor:
Ethics Partner:
