Nominate YOUR Icon
Help The Assembly of judges choose the 2025 nominees for the Virgin Islands Icon Awards. Judges have been diligently exploring each category for more than a year, but there are possibly people, organisations or businesses who should be considered that they don’t know. Here is your chance to bring them to their attention. Be thorough and show the assembly why your choice should be considered for an official nomination. All submissions will be considered, but only five nominees will emerge in each category following The Assembly’s deliberations. Nominations closed Thursday, 15th March 2025 at 5pm.
But before, get to know our categories:
Commerce
Designated for a group/brand who has demonstrated excellence and innovation in their enterprise. Judgement will be based on vision, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit.
The Assembly will consider:
- Nominee must be an active business in the Virgin Islands or if abroad, must be owned by a Virgin Islander or Belonger
- Nominee must be a member in good standing with the laws that govern businesses in the Virgin Islands.
- Nominee must have been in business for at least 3 years.
- Nominee must be an independently owned business.
- Nominee must have demonstrated one or more of the following characteristics:
Job creation - Innovative products or services
- Provides exemplary customer service
- Encourages and provides professional development of staff Gives back to the Virgin Islands
Corporate Social Responsibility
This award recognises the organisation demonstrating excellence in responsible sponsorship, corporate philanthropy, and community outreach. The impact of the CSR programmes will be assessed as they relate to:
- Effectiveness in impacting the communities they are focusing on
- Involvement of their personnel
- Sustainability and long-term impact
- As well as activities involved beyond just a financial contribution
Customer Service Star
The Virgin Islands is considered a service based economy. So, it is only natural to recognise the stars who “light up” the businesses we patronise. Dedicated to the people who work on the service industry or are customer facing in any type of business. They are known for their professionalism or for up keeping the brand’s commitment to service excellence. Celebrate their ability to be consistent, extraordinary, helpful and their success in delivering on their brand promises.
Education and Youth Development
The Assembly shall consider:
- Demonstrated excellence in education with a tangible product, process, and/or project that has had a successful impact on others.
- Evidence of commitment to the growth of young people: respecting individual needs and talents, fostering self-esteem, and encouraging realisation of individual potential.
- Evidence of outstanding personal and character attributes: setting high. expectations for personal achievements and students’ achievements, demonstrating leadership, and acting as a catalyst for others.
- Implementation of a creative and innovative approach that has made a difference in one’s classroom, school, or programme.
- Service as an exemplary model for students, peers, and/or parents and the community.
Areas of consideration may include but are not limited to the following:
- Enriching innovative programmes in the classroom, school, or community
- Engaging in professional growth
- Establishing programmes for other educators
- Designing programmes that focus on special populations
- Developing initiatives for collaboration between the schools and parents or members of the community
Entrepreneurship
Designated for an individual who has demonstrated enterprise, vision, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit either in setting up a successful new small business or successfully developing an existing business or social enterprise.
The Assembly will consider:
- Innovation, ambition and clarity of vision
- Strong leadership with the ability to drive the business forward and solve day-to-day business problems
- A visible sales and marketing strategy which addresses the need for growth
- Business growth
Excellence from the Family Islands
A new category to celebrate “la crème de la crème” in what’s known as the sister (family) islands in the VI. With no specific field or area of interest, the winner(s) of this category are known for being outstanding for their business acumen and contributions to the communities they serve. These persons are known to the island they live on and possibly to neighbouring islands too. These are the go-to kind of people on this given island and are also positive faces of that community. This award celebrates the kind of people that residents on the sister island are proud to call their own!
Health/Lifestyle/Fitness
Designated for persons who work in the following disciplines:
- Medical Practices
- Health and Fitness practitioners
- Therapies and innovation in health care
The Assembly will consider:
- Evidence of high-quality care and continuous improvement.
- An individual who is rising through the ranks and establishing themselves as future leaders in the health/wellness industry Innovation that is expansive in scope so that it now, or could in the future, affect many people’s lives.
- Impact on the community, fulfilling a need otherwise not met in the community.
- A lifetime career in the health care field, making an impact through care, either by the number of people affected or the scope of his/her contributions, dedication to his/her field.
Humanitarian Efforts
Designated for a person or group, who through personal or establishing vision use their resources or the shared resources of a group with concern to promote human welfare.
Criteria for Selection:
- All persons and/ or groups in The Virgin Islands regardless of age, race, sex or religion and shall also consider any recommendations from the general public;
- The visibility of the cause or the person in the community so that others will be inspired by their humanitarian activities;
- That the person may be a volunteer or an employed person. That the group may be not for profit. And if employed and for profit, that the quality of the humanitarian effort shall exceed that called for by the position;
- That because the award recognises the human factor in humanitarianism, the quality of the recipient/s’ personal involvement with others in need of assistance or support will be carefully considered.
History/Culture/Traditions
Designated for persons who works in the following disciplines: Preservation of institutions, traditions, and cultural norms
- Creating modern relevance
- Creating territorial pride through works, project, or single item.
This award recognises distinguished individuals, nonprofit organisations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of our historical landmarks, cultural heritage, Virgin Islands traditions and/or created moments for Territorial pride through their works.
These efforts include citizen attempts to save and maintain important landmarks; companies and craftsmen whose work restores the richness of the past; the vision of public officials who support preservation projects and legislation in their communities; and educators, creators and journalists who help Virgin Islands understand the value of preservation and present content in a way that a new generation is inspired by the past.
Live Entertainment Ensemble
Designated for persons who work in the following disciplines:
- Performing Bands
- Performing Artist (not necessarily recorded)
This award celebrates cutting edge developments and forward thinking production shaping the future of the Virgin Islands entertainment industry. Thereby it honours brand development and personal achievement.
The Assembly shall consider the following, but are not limited to:
- Success at radio (Where this applies)
- Record sales (Where this applies)
- Success in digital media
- Impact of the song on consumers and the Virgin Islands community.
- The creative integrity of the performances.
Media-Presenters
Designated for a persons who work in the following disciplines:
- Live event hosts and presenters
- Radio and Television (TVC) Personalities
- Disc Jockeys
This award celebrates cutting edge developments and forward thinker/s (ensemble casts may be considered) shaping the future of the Virgin Islands entertainment industry. Thereby it honours innovations, entrepreneurship and brand development.
The Assembly shall consider the following, but are not limited to:
- Success of programme or event with target audience
- Natural ability
- Sales and/or subscriptions/(shares) of material
- Live performance success
- Ticket sales for affiliated events
- Artistic merit
- Appearances
Media-The Show
Designated for persons who work in the following disciplines:
- Syndicated Shows
- Ratings Shows
- Social media blogs and shows
- Live-to-Tape Shows
- Live Stage Productions
This award celebrates cutting edge developments and forward-thinking production shaping the future of the Virgin Islands entertainment industry. Thereby it honours brand development and not personal achievement.
The Assembly shall consider the following, but are not limited to:
- Success of the show with target audience
- Impact on target audience and media
- Placement in society and community importance
- Extension- how the show is represented outside its chosen medium
Music-Performance
Designated for persons who work in the following disciplines:
- Performing Bands
- Performing Artist (not necessarily recorded)
This award celebrates cutting edge developments and forward thinking production shaping the future of the Virgin Islands entertainment industry. Thereby it honours brand development and personal achievement.
The Assembly shall consider the following, but are not limited to:
- Success at radio (Where this applies)
- Record sales (Where this applies)
- Success in digital media
- Impact of the song on consumers and the Virgin Islands community.
- The creative integrity of the performances.
Religion/Spirituality/Inspiration
Designated for persons who work in the following disciplines:
Ministry and Evangelism
Uplift and Inspiration
Assembly shall consider:
Projects, shows, or pieces of work bursting with faith and/or inspiration resources have proven to be genuine assets to religious and inspirational work.
Projects, shows or pieces having significant influence in the designated sector.
Sports-Athletic Performance
This award recognises active athletes who are known to posses the following:
- Achievement in Discipline
– Time performances, personal bests, medals, national performances - Sportsmanship
– Respect for coaches, officials, opponents, and teammates - Commitment
– Toward national achievement, practices, games and sporting events and continued improvement - Positive attitude and enthusiasm for their sport both on and off the field/court
- Toughness (both mental and physical)
- Focus and Discipline
- Perseverance
- Overcoming challenges
Tourism
Designated for persons who work in the following disciplines:
- Product development
- Practitioners
Ambassadorial works
This award provides the opportunity to showcase the best of the Virgin Islands’ tourism service providers as well as promote, encourage, and reward excellence in tourism. The awards are open to all tourism businesses, suppliers to the tourism industry and any local business with crossover ability. This award is The Assembly’s opportunity to demonstrate the value of tourism to the Virgin Islands.
The Assembly will consider:
- A person or business who encourages and represents excellence, quality, professionalism, and innovation.
- An entity that provides a benchmark for best practice against which other businesses can be considered.
- An entity that encourages continuous improvement in the sector of the industry they serve
- A person or business who is publicly recognised for tourism excellence.
- An entity that has effective and noticeable marketing activities.
- A person or business who boasts a significant level of achievements.
- An entity that provides a networking opportunity with other entrants, sponsors and the broader tourism industry.
- Evidence of business growth and profitability. (Where applicable)
- Commitment to staff development and investment in training. (Where applicable)
- Creating Employment
- Evidence of customer feedback detailing satisfaction with the service/ facilities on offer.
- Commitment to sustainability and promoting tourism in the territory.
The Performing Arts: Choreography and Dance
For the geniuses of movement who flawlessly blend artistry, dance and music, either through instruction and/ or demonstration. This award recognises the designers of dance performances and those who specialise in theatrical and performance dancing.
The Industrialists
Dedicated to the builders of the Territory who have demonstrated excellence in the field of construction. This award embraces those professionals specialising in engineering, plumbing, electrical, quantity surveying and other areas relative to construction. Nominees must posses technical and visionary skills and should be known for remarkable work known by the quantity and known for its quality.
Visual Arts : Photography
With a camera and imagination, they can tell a story with each picture captured. These aficionados have an eye for beauty and art, and are known throughout the Virgin Islands for their unparalleled skill set in photography. Artistes in this field are recognised for scenic photography, portraits, event photography and high fashion or editorial bodies of work. Photo journalists are considered within this category.
Writers and Publishing
Designated for persons who operate in the following disciplines:
- Author-Books
- Author-Poetry
- Author- Contributory Writings
- Publishing
- Journalism
This award recognises real excellence in style and content from writers on any platform, or across multiple platforms. Whatever the medium, The Assembly will consider: writing of the highest quality in a style appropriate to the relevant audience. The winning entry will show evidence of the writer or publisher’s brilliance, originality, and flair, together with their ability to truly captivate the target audience.