1. Business Leader of the Year: This Award recognizes a professional in the community who has provided superior professional services to a client or customer. This company or business owner has exceeded the expectations of their clients, showing great leadership, integrity and professionalism.

2. Young Professional of the Year: The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a Caroline County business leader who is 40 years or younger and has shown leadership in their dedication and commitment to our community through their interest in business, community service, peer mentoring, and/or personal achievement.

3. Citizen of the Year: The Citizen of the Year Award recognizes a Caroline County individual who has demonstrated exemplary dedication to the people of Caroline County and who inspires others by their volunteer commitment to the community. This community leader is motivated by their desire to support Caroline County and gives freely of their time, talents and energy in local organizations, festivals and special projects.

4. Caroline's Best Nonprofit: This award recognizes a non-profit that has made a significant impact on Caroline County and its residents over the past year. The organization demonstrates strong governance and executive leadership, excellent financial stability and transparency, executes ethical fundraising practices and demonstrates exceptional client service.

5. Business of the Year: The economic health of Caroline County is dependent upon the entrepreneurial spirit of our business community. This award recognizes an exceptional Caroline County business whose commitment to overall best business practices, customer service, employee relations, superior marketing and social media strategies, and positive public image that sets a high standard within our business community. This business is a well respected leader in our community.

6. Rising Star/ New Business: This award recognizes a business that has been operating for less than three years. The business has demonstrated strong potential via growth, innovation, and leadership during the first years of operation. Additionally, the business has demonstrated active community involvement.

7. Innovation Excellence: This award will be given to a business that has adopted an innovative strategy or business practice, OR has launched and innovative product that brings new solutions to market. The innovation should have caused significant improvement to existing processes, products, or services - either internally or in the marketplace.

8. Excellence in Agriculture: This award will be presented to an agricultural or environmental-based business that has shown positive growth, sales, leadership, and/ or outstanding contributions to the advancement of the agricultural industry in Caroline County; or has recently launched a new product or agricultural management practice.