Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I submit more than one entry in a category?

A: Multiple submissions can be made for the same category. In addition, the same initiative can be entered into multiple categories if it meets the criteria. Each submission is treated separately. For each individual entry, electronic and hard copies (if available) and the submission fee ($80 plus HST for EDCO members and $150 plus HST for non-members) are required.

Q: How do I pay for my awards submission?

A: Payments are accepted by Visa or MasterCard through a secure on-line site and will be processed at the end of your electronic submission (hard copies will be reconciled with online submissions). Payments can also be made by cheque or EFT; select the 'Cheque' option on the submission form and follow the instructions to submit payment. Please contact Stephanie Crilly, Executive Director at edco@edco.on.ca, for more information on how to set up for EFT payment.

Q: How are the award recipients selected?

A: A panel of professionals from the fields of economic development, marketing, advertising and tourism judge the entries in the General Awards categories. The judges use the scoring card to evaluate each submission. Judges have the discretion to award a gold and silver winner in each of the General Awards categories.

Q: Can I get feedback on my entry?

A: All submissions receive constructive feedback to assist with future projects, as well as future award submissions. Feedback will be emailed to the main submission contact after all the winners have been announced at the annual EDCO conference.

Q: How do I submit a project with partners?

A: If you are submitting a partner project, one partner makes the submission on behalf of the group and must indicate all of the partners involved. If the project is selected for an award, EDCO will provide one award to the submitting partner. Duplicate awards can be ordered by the award recipient or project partners for an additional cost.

Q: I'm not sure on which category to enter. Will this affect my submission?

A: If, after your submission is reviewed, it is found to be in an incorrect category or better meets the criteria of a different category than initially entered, it will be moved to the appropriate one. The Awards Committee will attempt to inform any submission if a category change is necessary.

Q: Do I have to provide a hardcopy of my submission?

A: Hard copies are no longer accepted.

Q: What population category do I select for Regional Groups?

A: If your organization represents a few communities, submit your entry based on the combined total population of all the represented communities.

Q: Why do I need to provide budget information?

A: Budgeting information assists the judges in understanding the cost/value and relating the quality of the production to the budget.  Please estimate the amount of staff time used in full-time equivalencies.  The budgetary information also helps to provide the judges with a better understanding of the initiative's return on investment.

Q: What kind of projects that qualify for submission?

A: The awards are open to all individuals, organizations, partnerships and jurisdictions undertaking municipal or regional economic development activities within the Province of Ontario. Consultants may submit an entry provided they have permission from the client/municipality for which the work was undertaken. Entries must have been produced or implemented between October 2022 and October 2023 for the 2023 Awards of Excellence program.

Q: Will I be contacted if my entry is selected for an award?

A: Finalists will be notified in December and are encouraged to invite their Mayor, Councillors, CAOs and other key stakeholders and partners to the annual EDCO President's Dinner and Awards Ceremony to be held in Toronto.  Tickets are required to be purchase in advance for the event.  One President's Dinner ticket is included in a full conference registration.

Q: Is there a cost to attend the awards ceremony?

A: The cost of the President's Dinner and Awards Ceremony is included in full conference registration for delegates. Additional tickets may be purchased for invited guests, online starting in October at www.edcoconference.com.