2016 BBB TORCH Awards

2015 was an exciting first year for the Cape Girardeau Regional Better Business Bureau Office, and this year we have even more on the horizon. This spring we will hold our first ever Cape Girardeau Regional TORCH Awards.

This year's event will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 28, 2016, at Ray's Plaza Conference Center in Cape Girardeau. KFVS12 Breakfast Show Anchor and Reporter Amanda Hanson will emcee the event.

We are now accepting nominations for the awards. The awards recognize companies and charities that are committed to exceptional standards for ethical business practices and outstanding service to their customers, employees, suppliers, and communities.

Nominations are due by March 1. Companies and charities in the following counties are eligible to apply for the Cape Girardeau regional awards:

· Illinois Counties: Wayne, Hamilton, Saline, Pope, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski, Alexander, Johnson, Williamson, Franklin, Jefferson, Union, Jackson, Perry

· Missouri Counties: Oregon, Ripley, Butler, Dunklin, Pemiscot, New Madrid, Mississippi, Stoddard, Scott, Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Wayne, Madison

Customers may nominate their favorite companies as potential winners. Companies and charities also may nominate themselves through an online form or by downloading, printing and mailing a form from our website.

BBB is looking for businesses and nonprofits that others will want to emulate. Nominees must show creativity in their ability to manage customer expectations, provide excellent customer service and resolve disputes. They must demonstrate the ways they inspire their workforce to adopt and communicate their ethics and further their mission. They must embody BBB Standards of Trust and help foster ethics within their industry and community.

Benefits for winners include:

· Winners' names will be used in promotions for the BBB TORCH Awards event at Ray's Plaza Conference Center in Cape Girardeau from 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 28, 2016.

· Winners will be recognized at the event. They will receive a personalized crystal trophy that can be displayed in their offices.

· After the event, winners will receive a TORCH Award logo and details on how they can promote their status as a winner in advertising, marketing and on websites.

· Being named a BBB TORCH Award winner may add to an organization's reputation and prestige, confirming the confidence placed in it by its stakeholders.

To be considered, an organization may apply online and upload supporting documents requested by March 1, 2016. Officials must be available for interviews.

To apply online, go to: https://stlouisbbb.wufoo.com/forms/bbbca.... The form will allow nominees to upload all supporting documents.

Consumer nominations can be made by letter or by filling out a form on the BBB website in the consumer section under "compliment a company." Companies nominated by consumers will be asked to submit their information through the online form or the printable form. (See links above.)

For questions about the form or assistance in applying for a TORCH Award, please contact Joey Keys at jkeys@capegirardeaubbb.org or 573-803-3191.