OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS

Eligibility

BusinessSquamish.com's "Local Business of the Year" contest is open to all registered local business owners in the District of Squamish.  Canadian residents above the age of 18 can participate in the nomination and voting process and all nominators and voters are also eligible to win certain contest prizes. The Contest is subject to all federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations.

Entry

Nominations
The nomination period will begin at 9:00:00 a.m. (PST) on December 23, 2008 and will end at 11:59:59 p.m. (PST) on January 14, 2009.

To nominate a local business for the Local Business of the Year contest, visit www.businesssquamish.com/business-of-the-year and complete the online nomination form, outlining the business’s name, contact details, and the reasons this business deserves to win the title ‘Local Business of the Year’. All valid entries will be reviewed and accepted nominations will be edited into featured business listings for the duration of the ‘Voting’ phase of the contest. BusinessSquamish.com reserves the right to not accept all nominations, as well as the right to edit nomination information before publishing the featured business listings.  BusinessSquamish.com reserves the right to contact the nominator or the nominee for more information.

In the case of duplicate nominations, both nominators will be eligible for certain participant prizes, but the nominee business will only be featured once in the voting phase of the Contest.

Voting

After the close of nominations, all successfully nominated and approved businesses will be featured on the main contest page of BusinessSquamish.com. Throughout the ‘Voting’ phase, all Canadian residents are eligible to vote for their favourite nominated business. All voting participants are eligible to enter the draw for subsidiary prizes. The popular vote will be only one of 4 criteria for selecting the official Local Business of the Year.

Voting period begins at 12:00pm January 15, 2009 and closes February 2, 2009.  

Limited to one vote per e-mail address and per person.

BusinessSquamish.com may disqualify all incomplete, illegal or ineligible entries.  BusinessSquamish.com takes no responsibility for misdirected or delayed nominations, votes, or entries.

Winner Selection

There are three (3) opportunities for prize winning.

1.    Participation Appreciation
All eligible nominators or voters have the opportunity to enter to win Participant Appreciation prizes.  After completing a nomination or vote, the participant will be prompted to enter name and contact details for a chance to win the Participation Appreciation Prizes. Entry is optional. A random draw of all entries will be held on or about January 31, 2009 to select one (1) winner.

2.    Popular Vote
The one (1) business that receives the highest number of valid online votes will receive the Popular Vote prize.

3.    2008 Local Business of the Year
A panel of judges from BussinessSquamish.com, the District of Squamish, and the Squamish Chamber of Commerce will be assigned the responsibility of selecting the one (1) most deserving contest winner. The selection criteria include but are not limited to:
a. Total online votes
b. Contribution to Economic Development
c. Innovation
d. Service

Prizes

Participation Appreciation prize
•    $50 gift certificate to HOME DEPOT (Squamish)

Popular Vote prize
•    $75 gift certificate to restaurant of choice in Squamish

Grand Prize
•    Title as BusinessSquamish.com’s 2008 Local Business of the Year
•    Two (2) tickets to the Squamish Chamber of Commerce AGM – Value ($200)
•    $200 gift certificate to restaurant of choice in Squamish (expires at end of 2009)

Before being declared a winner of any prize, the selected entrant will be required to sign a declaration and release form confirming compliance with Contest Rules and acceptance of prizes as offered; acknowledging the non-responsibility of BusinessSquamish.com and their respective agents with respect to the right to publish or broadcast the winner's picture, name, address, voice and statements without charge or further compensation other than the prize offered.

In the event that a selected entrant is not eligible to claim their prize or does not claim their prize within 14 days of the draw, or is unwilling or unable to comply with the Rules, or any prize notification or prize is returned as undeliverable or call is not returned within five (5) days, that entry will be disqualified and additional winners will be drawn or selected.

The Contest winner will be posted on www.BusinessSquamish.com. BusinessSquamish.com and the prize sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event that the specified prize is unavailable due to circumstances beyond their control. 

Entrants acknowledge that this is a BusinessSquamish.com contest.  By entering the Contest, entrants acknowledge that they have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the Rules.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Disclaimer

By entering the Contest, entrants consent to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information for the purposes of administering the Contest and for the purposes of understanding the needs and preferences of individuals or to develop, enhance, market and/or provide products and services. BusinessSquamish.com will collect, use and disclose personal information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.