The SAGE Awards, Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence, recognize the outstanding efforts, talent, creativity and innovation in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
This year’s SAGE Awards have been enhanced in order to honor and recognize the resourcefulness and innovation our local businesses and organizations employed due to the challenges of COVID-19. In addition, we created the new IMPACT Award for 2021, which includes three categories: Community Outreach, People and Culture, and Products and Services.
Applicants may not apply for an award received in the past – unless it is one of the following three awards – Best Practices in Marketing and Communications, Hometown Star, and Pride and Progress. Previous award winners are invited to submit in these categories again, as long as the project is a new endeavor and notably different from your prior award achievement.
A volunteer judging committee, comprised of a diverse group of community leaders, scores all applications that meet the eligibility criteria. Chamber staff does not participate in the process. Decisions are final. Results cannot be shared. All scores are tallied and the three highest applications advance to finalist status. The winners were announced at the annual Chamber Gala, on Friday, March 19, a hybrid event held at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center and live via Zoom.
Recognizes a business that demonstrates a commitment to serving its community through volunteering and philanthropy.
• Coal Creative• Scranton Area Community Foundation• Valhalla Veterans Services
Recognizes a business who demonstrated exemplary care and compassion which has increased client satisfaction and retention.
• Center City Print• Maternal and Family Health Services• Tech42 LLC
Recognizes an in-house marketing department or advertising firm for creative excellence in ONE advertising campaign. The campaign must use THREE of the following media or methods: newspaper, consumer/trade publication, outdoor board, direct marketing mailer, brochures, stationery package, annual report, magazine/book publication, poster, special event material, mass transit/bus board, radio, television and digital marketing.
• Horizon Dental Care• Inspired Studio• Posture Interactive
Recognizes a business, with more than 10 employees, for its accomplishments and operational successes.
• Benco Dental• Fidelity Bank• Horizon Dental Care
Recognizes an individual, business or organization that has made a significant impact on our area by conducting or adapting an in-person or virtual event (meals for needy families, raised money for downtown businesses, shopped daily and supported local businesses, raised money for the community, paid rent for downtown businesses) with a rich contribution in our area.
• Dearly Departed Players at the Dunmore Cemetery• Scranton Memorial Park at Scranton High School• Food for All Campaign at The Settlers Inn
Recognizes an emerging business that has demonstrated a capacity for creativity and innovation, experienced growth and that has established itself as a leader in its industry.
• Birdhouse Outdoor• Scholars in Training Preschool• Space Time Mead & Cider Works
Recognizes a non-profit organization that demonstrates excellence in society, stability, marketing and strategic alliances – all in the pursuit of its mission.
• Camp Freedom, Inc.• Keystone Mission• Maternal and Family Health Services
Celebrates the community’s favorite SAGE Award finalist through online voting. The finalist with the most votes received will be named People’s Choice.
Recognizes a business or organization that has demonstrated creativity, adaption and perseverance during the tumultuous challenges of 2020. Applicants may qualify and apply for all three awards.
Community Outreach: Recognizes creative expansion, collaborations or adaptions within a business or organization for the purpose of addressing significant community needs
• Center City Print• DePietro’s Pharmacy• FNCB Bank
People and Culture: Recognizes a business or organization that has shown exemplary responses to the COVID-19 crisis – including the transition/adaption of safe work environments, restructuring of employees, compensation, childcare, flexibility and working remotely – to ensure the well-being of their employees
• DePietro’s Pharmacy• Golden Technologies• Penn Foster
Products and Services: Recognizes a business or organization for pivoting and transforming its core business model or creating new methods/services/products in order to continue operation, while also addressing customer and community needs
• DePietro’s Pharmacy• Hematology & Oncology Associates of NEPA• Woodloch Resort
Recognizes a business, with 10 or fewer employees, for its accomplishments and operational successes.
• Center City Print• PennWood Financial Group• United Sports Academy
