5th Annual Business Integrity Awards Announced

The Better Business Bureau of Mississippi (BBB) is seeking nominees for the prestigious 5th annual Mississippi Business Integrity Awards, sponsored by the BBB of Mississippi and the Mississippi Business Journal. Nominations for the awards program are open to any for-profit Mississippi business or corporation, and will be taken through January 31, 2007.

"This program has grown into a Mississippi tradition which highlights positive business practices,” said Bill Moak, BBB Mississippi President and CEO. “If you know of a business which deserves recognition, we encourage you to nominate them.”

More than 200 companies have been nominated during the previous four competitions. Nominees are judged in four size categories based on the number of employees. The winners of the 2006 competition were: Insight, Ltd., The Cirlot Agency; Cellular South, and Mississippi Power Company.

2007 winners will be announced at a luncheon event in March at the Mississippi Telcom Center in downtown Jackson. The BBB will also present two individual awards for business leaders: the Torchbearer Award (presented to a business leader who has demonstrated integrity over a career), and the CEO of Integrity Award (presented to a CEO from among finalist companies).
Nominations may be sent via email to operations@bbbms.org or by going to http://www.bbbms.org/integritynom.asp.

You may also call (800) 987-8294 to request a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2007.

There is no cost to enter the competition, and nominations may be submitted by businesses or consumers. The four winners will be entered into the Better Business Bureau’s international Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics.

The award is open to all for-profit businesses that serve retail and wholesale markets. Businesses with governmental entities (local, state or federal) as primary markets are not eligible, nor are government agencies and not-for-profit organizations. Businesses based in other states, but with Mississippi operations, are eligible. Businesses do not have to be members of the Better Business Bureau to be eligible, but they must have a satisfactory record with the BBB to be considered.

“If you know of a company with high standards, you should nominate them and help them get the recognition they deserve,” Moak said. For more information, call the BBB Mississippi at (800) 987-8294.