The mission of the British-American Chamber of Commerce, Great Lakes Chapter, is to promote transatlantic trade between the United States and the United Kingdom. Consistent with this objective, the BACC Great Lakes Chapter seeks to recognize the accomplishments of member and non-member organizations that stimulate bilateral commerce. The BACC Bilateral Achievement Awards recognize both Ohio and UK organizations and individuals that actively contribute to the bilateral exchange of products, services and ideas.

Nominations

Both US and UK organizations and individuals are eligible for the awards. Nominations may be made by BACC members, bilateral Chambers, UK Trade & Investment and affiliated US/UK regional economic development groups. Nominations will be accepted in three categories: Business Growth, Advancement of the Public Good and Educational and Cultural Enrichment. Each nomination is limited to one written page and must be received by the BACC Great Lakes Chapter no later than October 1, 2007.

• Download Nomination Form (102KB PDF file)

Awards Categories and Eligibility Criteria

1. Business Growth
   This award recognizes a UK or Ohio Company with significant growth in the Ohio or UK markets, respectively. Growth may be measured, inter alia, as exports or as sales, whether or not resulting from a direct investment or joint venture.
   Criteria
   1. Evidence of sales growth in Ohio for a UK company and in the UK for an Ohio company.
   2. Description of success and commitment to achieving sales goals.
   3. Evidence of impact on the organization and local population, (job creation, professional development, equipment investment, etc.)
       
2. Advancement of Public Good
   This award applies to Ohio and UK organizations or individuals that have through a technological achievement, advancement, or discovery enhanced the wellbeing of the local population. This award recognizes healthcare discoveries, environmental initiatives and/or new products and technologies.
   Criteria
   1. Description of specific achievements and accomplishments.
   2. Description of commitment to and links in bilateral cooperation.
   3. Evidence of impact on the local population.
       
3. Educational & Cultural Enrichment
   This award recognizes an educational or cultural institution that, through a bilateral US/UK relationship, has advanced its mission and provided academic and aesthetic enrichment to its constituents.
   Criteria
   1. Description of specific achievements.
   2. Description of organization's commitment to bilateral programs and initiatives.
   3. Evidence of success in fulfilling mission objectives through bilateral cooperation.

2006 Award Winners

The 2006 recipients of the British-American Chamber of Commerce Bilateral Achievement Awards are the Belfast Institute in Peace Building and Conflict Transformation at John Carroll University and Edgetech I.G., Inc. of Cambridge, OH. The annual awards recognize the accomplishments of organizations that build transatlantic alliances and promote bilateral relationships. Since 1994, the British-American Chamber of Commerce, Great Lakes Region has been promoting transatlantic trade between the United States and the United Kingdom.

John Carroll University's Belfast Institute in Peace Building and Conflict Transformation is receiving the award in the Educational and Cultural Enrichment category for fostering knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills that engage students in peace-building, social justice and conflict transformation initiatives at home and abroad. The Institute's 2006 program consists of a six-credit undergraduate course in Sociology and Political Science that culminates in a trip to Northern Ireland where students meet with various stakeholders in the peace process.

Mindy Peden, Political Science Faculty at JCU, indicates that, "Approximately ten faculty members from various disciplines collaborate on the course syllabus and trip itinerary. Faculty and advisors in Northeast Ohio are continually developing bilateral relationships with UK organizations, institutions and individuals that can deliver the experiential learning opportunities that the program requires."

Edgetech I.G., Inc. is the award winner in the Business Growth category. A world-class manufacturer of high-end insulating glass products for the window and door industry, the company has built a successful niche in the US market and in over 60 countries worldwide. According to Ramsey Bader, International Market Manager, "The UK constitutes the largest and most significant market for Edgetech outside of North America." In addition to their robust export business, Edgetech imports and distributes complementary product lines from several UK manufacturers. Edgetech has received numerous industry awards for its leading product, Super Spacer, and is the recipient of Ohio's 2006 Exporter of the Year Award.

2005 Award Winners

British-American Chamber Recognizes Bilateral Achievements of Two Area Companies

November 2005, Cleveland, OH—The British-American Chamber of Commerce, Great Lakes Region is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2005 Bilateral Achievement Awards. The mission of the British-American Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is to promote transatlantic trade between the United States and the United Kingdom. Consistent with this objective, the BACC seeks to recognize the accomplishments of member and non-member organizations that stimulate bilateral commerce. The Awards are designed to recognize both Ohio and UK organizations and individuals that actively contribute to the bilateral exchange of products, services and ideas.

Two award recipients have been selected for 2005, the inaugural year for the awards. In the Educational and Cultural Enrichment category, BACC is recognizing Creative Irish Gifts, Inc. of Streetsboro, OH. Diane O'Connor, president, and Rob O'Connor, vice president, founded Creative Irish Gifts with the sole purpose of financially supporting the activities of the Irish Children's Fund, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982 to foster understanding between Protestant and Catholic youth in the troubled areas of Northern Ireland.

Creative Irish Gift's mail order catalog and online Web site, Shopirish.com, targets buyers of primarily Irish and British ancestry. The company employs between 45 and 110 permanent and seasonal workers in Northeast Ohio and operates from a 41,000 sq. ft. facility. Merchandise for the mail order operation is sourced from the UK and Ireland and the organization's not-for-profit parent sponsors weekend and summer camps for children in Northern Ireland.

The Irish Children's Fund's Reconciliation Program involves a 5-week stay in the US each summer for 150 twelve year olds from the segregated neighborhoods of Belfast. Hosted by American families, the children participate in a wide range of recreational activities aimed at building trust and encouraging participation. When the children return to Northern Ireland, dedicated staff continues to bring the youngsters together through weeknight activities at local community centers. To date, $2,450,000 has been given to underwrite the work with Northern Ireland's youth.

Westside Automotive Group of Cleveland is being recognized in the Business Growth category. Established in the spring of 2002, president and general manger Mark LaMarch attributes the dramatic expansion of the Jaguar and Land Rover dealership to aggressive internal and external marketing campaigns. For the past two years, Jaguar Cars North America has named Westside Automotive Group the winner of the prestigious Pride of Jaguar Award for its commitment to providing first-class customer service.

Westside Automotive Group currently employs 65 service, sales and administrative personnel. Their 7-acre campus, located at 9600 Brookpark Road, boasts an expansive showcase lot of UK-made motorcars and a Land Rover Test Track.