Prestigious IW Awards seek role models to honour.

Do you know someone who is deserving of public praise for her business acumen, career success, professional drive and contribution to community? Consider nominating her (or yourself) for a prestigious 2006 IW Award!

The ninth annual Influential Women (IW) of Northern Ontario Awards program has just officially launched its annual call for nominations.

Six women will be honoured at two separate events this coming spring. Three recipients from north western Ontario will be recognized at the first awards luncheon, to be held in Thunder Bay at the Valhalla Inn on May 29. On May 31, three recipients from northeastern Ontario will be similarly honoured at the second celebratory luncheon, to be held at the Radisson Hotel in Greater Sudbury. Combined attendance at both events is anticipated to exceed 700.

"As the 21st century gets underway, it is estimated that women will start half of Canada's new companies," says Northern Ontario Business publisher Patricia Mills. "We need innovators, mentors and risk-takers," she adds. "We also need to acknowledge those women who do venture into the world of business and economic development, and we need to encourage more to follow."

The nomination process covers three award categories: private sector, public sector and young entrepreneur.

The Private Sector and Public Sector awards will be presented to established or up-and-coming leaders who hold senior positions in their workplaces. These candidates may have facilitated business between sectors. Young Entrepreneurs between the ages of 19 and 35, who have operated an enterprise for at least three years, will also be recognized for their business acumen.

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In all categories, the following questions should be addressed in the nomination package:

* How has the nominee positively influenced her workplace, community, and/or field of endeavour?

* How has she contributed to economic wealth, job creation and growth?

* Has the nominee demonstrated extraordinary leadership?

* In what way has she initiated change through innovation?

* Has she overcome professional obstacles to achieve her goals?

* Describe the nominee's volunteer involvement, including how she has enriched her community.

The winners are selected by an independent panel of judges. Winners will be invited to attend celebrations in their respective areas.

Become a part of history

The IW program was launched in 1998 in order to seek out, honour and profile women in Northern Ontario who contribute to the North's economic success and expansion. Premier Dalton McGuinty, in his message published in last year's annual souvenir IW magazine, commends Influential Women for promoting and facilitating an environment that celebrates women business leaders.

Rosalind Lockyer, executive director of the PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise in Thunder Bay, was the recipient of the 2005 IW Public Sector Award. Since PARO's inception 10 years ago, Lockyer and her colleagues have assisted 600 Northern Ontario women get their businesses off the ground. "Women are the hidden gold in the North," she said, adding that the untapped human resources will move the region's economy forward.

Laura-Lee Gilbert, owner of both of Sault Ste. Marie's Curves fitness centres for women, earned the title of 2005 Young IW Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Since opening her first location in 2001, she has made her mark as a Curves mentor by encouraging the launch of 12 Curves operations throughout Northern Ontario.

Lockyer and Gilbert are just two of the more than 150 movers and shakers who have been profiled since the inception of IW nearly a decade ago.

For more information on the IW program, or to nominate online, visit www.influentialwomen.ca. The website also archives previous years' events, including profiling the 2005 winners and supporting sponsors, and featuring interesting current news stories.

IW recently expanded, with the re-introduction of a concurrent trade show component. This popular addition to the existing program provided some 60 exhibitors with the opportunity to showcase their state-of-the-art products and services to more than 500 delegates at luncheons held in Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. The exhibition was a huge success, and booth space is expected to sell out quickly again this year.

For more details on the Influential Women of Northern Ontario awards program and related activities, visit the official website for regular updates, or contact Sabrina Marleau at 1-800-757-2766 or 705-673-5705 ext. 306. Nomination deadline is Friday, Feb. 17.

Marlene Moore is director of Executive Programs with Northern Ontario Business. The IW program is one of many initiatives organized by the events division of Northern Ontario Business.

www.influentialwomen.ca