11th Annual Existing Industry Awards

Nominations Open June 1st for the 2023 Existing Industry Awards

Event Date: October 19th, 2023

Location: Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Time: Check-in starts at 5:00 pm, Event Program 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Nomination Deadline: August 1st, 2023

The EDAWN Existing Industry Awards recognizes Primary Companies in the region for their outstanding contribution to our community in a variety of ways. A Primary Company is a private sector company in Washoe County, Storey County/TRIC, or Fernley where the majority of the company’s revenue (>50%) is generated from outside the State of Nevada. The Existing Industry Awards provide a great opportunity to recognize existing Primary Companies for their contribution to Northern Nevada.

Questions regarding the event and/or nomination process may be directed to Amanda Berry, Manager, Business Retention, Expansion & Workforce Development.

2023 Industry Awards Winners, Categories, and Criteria

2023 Existing Industry Awards Categories

Tech Innovation Award  

Criteria: This award is designed for small or large technology-based companies which focus on the development, marketing, or manufacturing of technology, or which provide technology as a service. It also includes companies that have used technology to significantly transform their business model to improve operations, customer service, and/or profitability. This may include software, hardware, cyber-security, IoT, robotics, and other tech related products and services. The company must be generating revenue to qualify.

Description required: Describe why you call yourselves a “tech company” based on the product or services you are developing, marketing, or manufacturing, what industry you serve, and how your company contributes to the economic diversity in the region – or describe how the application of new technology has transformed your business in the last year, with documentation of benefits.

Philanthropy Hero (Large and Small company categories)

Criteria: Company which has made significant philanthropic contributions in money, employee volunteer hours or in-kind donations, to a charitable organization or organizations in the region, or any combination of the above.

Description required: Please provide a summary and breakdown if available, of the dollars, hours and/or value of in-kind donations during the award period.  Please explain the impact your contributions are having in the community that might not occur without your support.

Employees First (Large and Small company categories)

Criteria: Recognizes companies that have invested in innovative programs to retain, develop, encourage, and reward existing employees. This category is also open to companies who have implemented special programs that support employees or who have implemented new diversity and inclusion initiatives in your business.

Description required:  Please provide a description of initiatives and programs implemented, to retain, develop, encourage, and reward existing employees, or programs that support the hiring of members of the National Guard, Reserve or Veterans. If it applies, please explain the components of new diversity and inclusion practices you have implemented in the qualifying period. Please explain the benefits of the programs you have implemented.

Small But Mighty

Criteria: Recognizes companies that have 10 or less employees worldwide and are generating more than $250,000 annually in revenue. Must still be a primary company generating more than 50% of your revenues from outside the state.

Description Required: Please provide a description of your business including what you do, verify the number of employees, and confirm that your total annual revenues for the previous year exceeded $250,000.

Leader in Sustainability Award (Large and Small company categories)

Criteria: Company manufactures a product or provides a service which enables their customers to conserve natural resources and/or reduce their carbon footprint. Companies that have implemented resource saving and/or recycling initiatives within their Northern Nevada operations.

Description required: If you manufacture a product or provide a service which enables your customers to conserve natural resources or have implemented your own resource saving and/or recycling initiatives, please provide a description of your product or service and quantify the benefits of the product, service, or initiative, resulting in a reduction in consumption or carbon footprint versus traditional practices.

Manufacturing Excellence Award (Large and Small company categories)

Criteria: Company is currently manufacturing a product in EDAWN’s serving territory, and has demonstrated excellence via revenue growth, sustained market share, customer satisfaction ratings, industry awards or recognition, successful automation implementation, expansion into new markets, capital investment in new equipment, or has launched a new product line in the past year.

Description required: Please provide a summary of your revenue growth, description of your market share performance, customer satisfaction ratings, industry awards or recognition, measurable process improvement, capital investment in new equipment, expansion into new markets or new product line launch in the past year.

Engagement with Education Award

Criteria: Company has actively engaged with education partners (at any level K-16) to support and/or actively participate in programs, collaborate on curriculum, provide leadership on advisory councils, provide scholarships/ funding/donations, hire interns or apprentices, and/or is creating ongoing, collaborative engagements with education and training providers in the region.

Description required: Please describe how your company has actively engaged with education partners to support and/or actively participate in programs, collaborate on curriculum, provide leadership on advisory councils, provide scholarships, funding, or donations, hire interns or apprentices, and/or create ongoing, collaborative relationships with education/training providers in the region. Please include details of your engagement and the benefits to you as the employer and to the educational institution and its students.

Company of the Year (Large and Small business categories)

Criteria: Company which has documented exemplary performance in multiple categories listed in the overall criteria and stands out as a “shining star” based on industry leadership in at least 3 out of the industry award categories, and overall contribution to the region and State. (Please note, that companies can only win in one category per event.)

Description Required: Please provide a detailed description as to how your company has made a significant contribution to the region and State by standing out in at least three categories for the 2023 Existing Industry Awards. The winner of this award will have demonstrated excellence and leadership through its commitment to its employees, customers, environment, educational institutions, industry and/or community.

Community Partner Award-Nominated Internally by EDAWN

Criteria: This award is designed for public sector or non-profit community partners and the winner is selected by the EDAWN staff. The Entity/Agency must have demonstrated innovative programs and active engagement as a community partner to EDAWN in a way that supports business attraction, retention, workforce development, or entrepreneurial development. Decision will be based on overall contribution to EDAWN’s achievement of its strategic objectives.

Description Required: Please provide a summary of the impact of activities that you have engaged in as a community partner to EDAWN, in support of business attraction, retention, workforce development, or entrepreneurial development and how you have helped EDAWN to achieve its strategic objectives.

President’s Award

Criteria: This award is an optional category at the CEO’s discretion, to be utilized when a local organization or entity has helped EDAWN to make a difference in the community in a unique and measurable way. Decision will be based on the entity’s contribution to an EDAWN department, program, or strategic initiative.

2023 Existing Industry Awards (General Criteria)
October 19th, 2023 | Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Primary Company

To participate, companies must be defined as a *Primary Company except for the Community Partner and the President’s award categories.

*Primary Company is a private sector company in Washoe County, the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center or Fernley, where the majority of the company’s revenue (>50%) is generated from outside the State of Nevada.

Target Industries Encouraged

Target nominees are those in the EDAWN Strategic Plan Target Industries, however, all primary companies that are nominated will be considered.

Small Vs. Large Employer

Small is defined as a primary employer with 50 or less employees worldwide. Large is defined as a primary employer with 51 employees or greater.  The exception is the category of “Small But Mighty” which is limited to companies with 10 or fewer employees.

Entries for Nominations

  • Descriptions of qualifications are required for all categories. Word count is limited to 500 words so concise but detailed documentation is necessary and assists the judging team with their decision. Please also include your company’s website to reference in the appropriate field. Judges will navigate to the company website to learn more as they may be unfamiliar with your company.
  • Nomination process: Nominations will be accepted from individuals, companies, community partners, and the nominating committee. The nomination form must be completed in full and submitted by the application deadline of August 1st, 2023. Entries received after closing date will not be entered into the awards. For third party nominations, EDAWN will request supporting documentation from the company to complete the nomination process. If we are unable to contact the company, it may prevent acceptance of the nomination. Nomination forms will be posted on the EDAWN website to be submitted electronically. A company logo and a one-line description for use in the event program will be required from all nominees, in addition to the description of qualifications based on the category criteria. If your nomination cannot be submitted electronically, or if you experience any difficulties, please contact Amanda Berry at 775-829-3712 or berry@edawn.org to make alternate arrangements.    

Event Details

  • Event will be publicized via the EDAWN Executive Update, Press Releases, and multiple Social Media outlets, and will be added to print media calendars.
  • This event is administered by EDAWN.
  • Nominees are required to have been operational in the region as of January 1, 2023. The timeframe for all categories for supporting documentation and description of activities that meet the criteria is from January 2022 through the nomination deadline. The exception is the Philanthropy Hero Category, and the timeline for documentation is the calendar year 2022 (the previous full year of contributions.)
  • Companies may only receive one award in any given year. Companies may be nominated in multiple categories. If you have nominated your company or another company in 3 or more categories, please consider nominating the company for Company of the Year as an alternative, and provide a summary of the multiple areas in which they stand out. Companies may not receive an award in the same category within a 5-year period.
  • In the event of a tie, a second judging round will take place to determine the winner. If there is a tie after the second round, EDAWN will select the winner based on fulfillment of the category criteria. EDAWN reserves the right to move nominations between categories. EDAWN strives to recognize companies across the EDAWN serving territory and, in cases where an area is underrepresented, location may become a factor and encourages nominations from Washoe County, TRIC (Storey County) and Fernley.
  • The winners agree to take part and assist with any promotional activities or public relations activities in support of the awards. The winners agree to send at least one representative to take part in the nominee reception, and to receive the award in person at the event on Thursday, October 19th at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm. If unable to attend, please send another company representative. Local dignitaries will also be on hand to recognize winners and professional photographs will be taken during the event.
  • Up to (2) representatives from each nominated company will be invited to attend an exclusive reception with local dignitaries before the 5:30pm program. Attendance is encouraged by all nominated companies to attend the program and post-event reception from 5:00pm – 7:30pm.
  • Winners will be announced the evening of the event. Business Attire is appropriate.  Winners are not required to speak on stage at the event. Professional digital photographs will be provided to the winners by EDAWN as soon as they become available.
inline image showing EDAWN's Existing Industry Awards logo

View previous year award winners

List of Winners

Tech Innovation Award HORIBA Instruments
Philanthropy Hero – Small River City Logistics, Inc.
Philanthropy Hero – Large NOW Foods
Employees First Award-Small PK Electrical
Employees First Award-Large Elemental LED
Small But Mighty Rowdy, LLC
Leader In Sustainability-Small Outlaw Soaps Inc.
Leader In Sustainability-Large nZero
Manufacturing Excellence Award-Small Halogen Systems, Inc.
Manufacturing Excellence Award-Large Dragonfly Energy Corp.
Trex Company, Inc.
Engagement With Education Award ITS Logistics
Community Partner Award PBS Reno
Company Of The Year Award-Small Atlas Magnetics Co.
Company Of The Year Award-Large Panasonic Energy of North America
Presidents Award Nevada Cares Campus

List of Winners

Tech Innovation ITS Logistics
Covid Champion Custom Ink
Corporate Citizen Small Red Dot Management, LLC
Corporate Citizen Large Monin
Employees First Small Iris Automation
Employees First Large Bombora
Small But Mighty American Duchess
Leader In Sustainability Fulcrum BioEnergy
Manufacturing Excellence Small Nutrient Survival
Manufacturing Excellence Large Haws Corporation
Engagement with Education Small TrainerRoad
Engagement with Education Large Intuit
Community Partner Community Foundation of Northern Nevada
Company of the Year Small Tahoe Trail Bar
Company of the Year Large Nature’s Bakery
President’s Award Artown

2021 Industry Awards Program

October 17, 2019

Tech Innovation Figure Technologies
Corporate Citizen Small KPS3 Marketing
Corporate Citizen Large UPS
Employees First Small Full Tilt Logistics
Employees First Large NOW Foods
Small But Mighty GroupGets LLC
Leader In Sustainability Small Itronics
Leader in Sustainability Large Switch
Manufacturing Excellence ERG Aerospace
Engagement with Education Bender Group
Community Partner 1 Million Cups Reno
Company of the Year Small Davidson’s Organics Teas
Company of the Year Large Alchemy
President’s Award The Village on Sage Street

October 24, 2018

Biggest Little Wow Strykagen
Corporate Citizen Small CVirtual
Corporate Citizen Large Patagonia
Employees First Small Orthopaedic Implant Company
Employees First Large Chewy.com
Small But Mighty HIDEit Mounts, Inc.
Leader In Sustainability Small Creative Coverings Linen Rentals & Sales
Leader in Sustainability Large Haws Corporation
Manufacturing Excellence Small Revision Brewing Company
Manufacturing Excellence Large NOW Foods
Partnership with Education Panasonic Energy of North America
Community Partner NCET
Company of the Year Small Rubik Environmental, Inc.
Company of the Year Large Elemental LED, Inc.

October 24, 2017

Biggest Little Wow Bombora, Inc.
Corporate Citizen Small Full Tilt Logistics
Corporate Citizen Large Server Technology
Employees First Small Healing HealthCare Systems, Inc.
Employees First Large Patagonia
Founders Award Damon Industries
Leader In Sustainability Small Dragonfly Energy
Leader in Sustainability Large NOW Health Group, Inc.
Manufacturing Excellence Small Moment Skis
Manufacturing Excellence Large Sierra Nevada Corporation
Partnership with Education Switch
Community Partner Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County
Company of the Year Small Gyford Productions, LLC
Company of the Year Large Grand Rounds

October 13, 2016

Biggest Little Wow Abaris Training Resources, Inc.
Corporate Citizen Small Kimmie Candy
Corporate Citizen Large ITS Logistics
Employees First Small Noble Studios
Employees First Large CustomInk
Founders Award Small Davidson’s Organics
Founders Award Large Jensen Precast
Leader In Sustainability Small Speed of Air
Leader in Sustainability Large Tesla
Manufacturing Excellence Small CalRamic Technologies, LLC
Manufacturing Excellence Large Server Technology
Partnership with Education Charles River
Community Partner Nevada Industry Excellence
Company of the Year Small Drone America
Company of the Year Large Clear Capital

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Existing Industry Awards!

We truly appreciate your investment and commitment to the region.

Biggest Little WOW: Filament

Corporate Citizen Award: Burkhart Dental

Employees First Award: Advanced Precision Inc.

Founders Award: Sierra Nevada Corporation

Leader in Sustainability: Fortifiber Corporation

Manufacturing Excellence Small Award: Itronics Inc.

Manufacturing Excellence Large Award:  Lincoln Electric Cutting Systems

We Think Local Award: Sports Attack

Community Partner Award: Truckee Meadows Water Authority

Company of the Year-Small: Bristlecone Holdings

Company of the Year-Large: Server Technology

President’s Award: Reno Sparks Cab Co. and Whittlesea Checker Taxi/Bell Limousine

Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 Existing Industry Awards!

We truly appreciate your investment and commitment to the region.

Biggest Little WOW: Access Event Solutions

Corporate Citizen Small: Computerized Screening Inc.

Corporate Citizen Large: Haws Corporation

Employees First: Fortifiber Building Systems Group

Founders Award: EP Minerals

Leader in Sustainability: Trex Company Inc.

Supply Chain Excellence: AVA Logistics

Think Local Small: AD Hawk

Think Local Large: Belnick Inc.

Community Partner: Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority

Company of the Year-Small: NevadaNano

Company of the Year Large: NOW Foods

President’s Award: Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center

(L. Lance Gilman, Roger William Norman, Don Roger Norman)