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How the Salty Awards Work

We’ve designed this year’s awards to be more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful than ever—with a thoughtful process that ensures nuance, integrity, and community insight at every step.

Here’s how it works:

1. Public Nominations Open - Sept 1st, 2025

Anyone can nominate a Salt Spring-based business—whether you're a loyal customer, an admiring peer, or someone who simply wants to celebrate great local work. It's fun, easy and a great way to show local businesses your appreciation!

2. Nominee Acceptance

Each nominated business will be contacted and invited to accept their nomination. If they choose to move forward, they’ll complete a brief nominee application sharing more about their story, values, and impact.

3. Jury Review & Scoring

A panel of fellow entrepreneurs will carefully review and score the nominee packages using consistent criteria rooted in leadership, innovation, inclusion, and community contribution.

4. Onsite Visits

To truly understand the work being done—and to capture the richness that a paper application may miss—jurors will visit each nominee onsite. These jurors are fellow entrepreneurs and community members who bring insight, lived experience, and a genuine curiosity to the process.

These visits aren’t just about evaluation—they’re about building real connections.
They create space for meaningful conversations, shared learning, and deeper appreciation, helping to strengthen and support the Salt Spring business community as a whole.

5. Finalists & Awards Celebration

Finalists will be announced in at the Salty Award Gala Evening on Nov 6th at Mahon Hall, where we'll gather for a joyful, community-wide celebration to honour every nominee, finalist, and winner.