Ohio 2011 E-Awards Application

POSTPONED

The 4th Annual Ohio Global Summit and Governor's Excellence in Exporting Awards luncheon has been postponed until further notice.

Contact the Global Markets Division at (614) 466-5017 with questions or for more information.

 

Ohio E-Awards History

Since 1986, the Governor of the State of Ohio has presented the Ohio Governor's Excellence in Exporting Awards (E-Awards) to companies of all sizes that have excelled in exporting and to organizations that have helped Ohio companies achieve international success. Recipients include small, medium, and large manufacturers and service providers, as well as universities and nonprofit organizations with innovative international programs.

In addition, the Exporter of the Year award has four categories presented to organizations that exemplify the state's commitment to international trade – small, medium, and large businesses, as well as a nonprofit organization. Selected companies are honored at a luncheon ceremony held annually in Columbus, Ohio.

How to Qualify

Small, medium, and large Ohio-based (for-profit) manufacturers, service businesses, or agribusiness companies with a manufacturing or production facility in Ohio can apply for this award. Companies must be in business for at least five years. Sales figures may be used by only one corporate entity every three years. The award honors excellence in verifiable international exports, whether direct or indirect, from Ohio and the United States.

Nonprofit corporations, associations, and higher education institutions that provide trade promotion and assistance services are also eligible to apply. Recognition for nonprofit organizations is based upon new program development and customer success stories, with verification of the organization's role in generating export sales.

Public Records and Trade Secrets

E-Awards applications are public records and subject to disclosure under Ohio's Public Records Law except to the extent a statutory exception exists to exempt information from public release. Trade secrets may be protected from release under the Public Records Law. The Ohio Department of Development recognizes that some applicants may not make public certain information required to complete this application, including specific sales data. In order for the Department to protect trade secret information from disclosure, it is imperative that an applicant take the following steps to identify its trade secret information:

Check the "Trade Secret Information Included" box where indicated on the application; and identify each occurrence of trade secret information in the application by inserting an asterisk (*) at the beginning and end of each line including trade secret information, and underlining the information considered to be a trade secret.

For reference, the Ohio Revised Code defines "trade secret" as the following: "Trade Secret" means information, including the whole or any portion or phase of any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or improvement, or any business information or plans, financial information or listing of names, addresses, or telephone numbers, that satisfies both of the following: (1) It derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (2) It is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.