Nomination Criteria

History: The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce was founded in 2006 by the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners in partnership with Walt Disney World, The YaYa Network and the Orlando Business Journal's Diversity Works program. Event partners now include WKMG-TV Local 6, Lift Disability Network, Orlando Tech, and Metropolitan Orlando Urban League.

Purpose: The event showcases and shares best practices in diversity and inclusion. Companies, organizations and individuals chosen for the awards are held up in the community as beacons of light, leading the way for others.

Definition of diversity: Creating an atmosphere of inclusion in which all people throughout the community are respected and appreciated.

Categories: Nominations are accepted from nine counties (Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia) throughout Central Florida in the following categories:

Large business: 1,000+ employees
Medium business: 51 to 999 employees
Small business: up to 50 employees
Nonprofit organization
Government: Local, state or federal agency (New category for 2008!)
Individual Advocate
Corporate/Organization Advocate

Judging: Submissions are weighted and judged by independent panels of volunteers from throughout the community. Panels are carefully coordinated so no person faces a conflict of interest by being asked to judge the category of his or her own submission, company or organization.

Volunteer as a judge for this year's event

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