SAGE Awards

The SAGE Awards, the Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence, recognize the outstanding efforts, talent, creativity, and innovation in northeastern Pennsylvania.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Business of the Year

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Recognizes a business, with more than 10 employees, that has a clear strategic vision and has demonstrated growth in at least one of the following categories: customers, revenue, product and services, or employees. 

• Must be financially stable and operational for more than three years
• Must be a for-profit business
• Two part-time employees = one full-time employee

Community Involvement Excellence

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Recognizes a business that has made outstanding contributions to their community through philanthropy or the investment of financial or other resources such as time, talent, materials/facility/equipment, or involvement of staff or others in the organization.

• Community involvement must have taken place within the last year.
• Business must be fully operational for at least one year.

Customer Service Excellence

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Recognizes a business that deploys innovative and creative customer service practices that have demonstrated increased client satisfaction and distinguished it from the competition.

Business must be fully operational for at least one year.

Marketing and Communications Excellence

Recognizes an in-house marketing department or advertising agency for creative excellence in ONE branding, marketing, or advertising campaign. The applicant must be the original creator of the campaign elements included in the application. Applicants will be judged on the creative concept, design, and content of the campaign.

The campaign must include a minimum of THREE of the following tactics:

• Print media: newspaper, consumer/trade publication, poster
• Collateral material: Brochure, annual report, direct mail
• Digital media: Social media, online ads, email marketing
• Outdoor advertising: Billboards, mass transit
• Brand identity: Stationery 
• Multimedia: Radio, TV, movie theatre ads
• Branding: Logo design or redeisgn, brand guide
• Web: Full website, landing page, mobile app
• Event or activation: Tradeshow setup, event production, point of sale marketing
• Other: Include a description and justification for this tactic.

Previous award winners are invited to submit in this category again if the project is a new endeavor and is notably different from the previous win.

Must be fully operational for at least 12 months. Creative content must originate in Northeast PA.

Milestone Award

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Recognizes businesses and organizations for their longevity and leadership in our community. 

This award is not scored. Chamber member businesses will be recognized for business milestones in five-year increments. Recognition certificates will be distributed to businesses at the Chamber Gala.

New and Emerging Business of the Year

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Recognizes an emerging business that has demonstrated a capacity for creativity and innovation, experienced growth, and has established itself as a leader in its industry.

• Must be financially stable and operational for at least one year and no more than three years.
• Must be a for-profit business.
• Applicants for this award are not eligible to apply for Small Business of the Year.
• If applicant has previously won Small Business of the Year, they are not eligible to apply for this award.

 Nonprofit Organization of the Year

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Recognizes a non-profit organization that demonstrates excellence in society, financial stability, marketing, and strategic alliances — all in the pursuit of its mission.

• Must be financially stable and operational for a minimum of three years.
• Must be a 501(c)(3) organization benefitting Lackawanna County.
• Government entities, business entities, individuals, and academic organizations are not eligible.

People’s Choice

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Celebrates the community’s favorite SAGE Award finalist through online voting. The finalist with the most votes received will be named People’s Choice.

Products and Services Excellence

Recognizes a business or organization for pivoting and transforming its core business model or creating new methods/services/products in order to address customer and community needs.

Small Business of the Year

Recognizes a business with fewer than 10 employees that has demonstrated growth in at least one of the following categories: customers, revenue, product and services, or employees.

• Must be a for-profit business.
• Must be fully operational for more than three years.
• Two part-time employees = one full-time employee.
• Applicants for this award are not eligible to apply for New and Emerging Business of the Year.

Workplace Excellence

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Recognizes a business or organization that has committed to the growth and well-being of their employees. This can include professional development opportunities, safe work environments, restructuring, retention of employees, compensation, childcare, and flexible, and remote work schedules.