What local business deals over the past year were the most significant?

That's a question that I ask myself every September as I prepare for Business Review's 6th Annual Deals of the Year Gala. This year, my colleagues and I are getting an early start, and we're asking you to pitch in.

The event - this year on Friday, Nov. 5 - honors the business deals in key sectors of this area's economy, in addition to an executive of the year and a company of the year.

The event returns as the nation fights its way out of The Great Recession. In Michigan, we're starting to see unemployment level off, and in Ann Arbor we've learned that our economy has more stability than many in this state.

Yet over the past year, despite the uncertainty that still defined the end of 2009 and what seems like the end of the economic slide taking hold now, many companies advanced themselves. They took risks, successfully fought into new markets or found investors.

Out of chaos, they found opportunity.

I've got a list of potential Deals of the Year nominees for 2010. My colleague, Nathan Bomey, and I have been adding to it as we come across and report on these companies.

But we also want your help to guide us, and I'm hoping you'll consider who should be nominated - and then tell me why.

This is the type of award where the "why" is critical: It's not a popular vote, and the winners may not represent the most of any measure.

We're looking for impact - on the business itself, on the community, to its sector and beyond.

This year's sector categories are: commercial real estate, construction & development, health care, nonprofit, research, technology and - returning this year - retail.

The online nomination form makes it easy; or you can email me.

You have a little time, but please do it by Sept. 15. The "Deals" year officially runs from Oct. 1, 2009, to Sept. 30, 2010, and we watch the last few weeks very closely. We also expect to be ready to announce three nominees in each sector category by that date.

Winners will be announced at the event. (See a list of 2009 winners here.)

Meanwhile, details about the black-tie event are also on the website. Some sponsorships remain available, and ticket sales will be opened by late September. In addition, Ann Arbor SPARK's Fast Track awards will return to the event.

See coverage of the winners of the 2009 Deals of the Year awards presented by AnnArbor.com's Business Review.

Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.