Categories
Be considered for the 2023 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction.
Nominations close on March 13, 2023.
Applications close on March 27, 2023.
Entries for the 2023 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction are being accepted in the following categories:
Alberta's Best of Business Award of Distinction
Description
This prestigious award is presented to an Alberta business that has demonstrated achievements in business/organizational leadership and growth.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Alberta's Best of Business Award of Distinction, your business must
- Have complete their submission in at least one other award category
- Help to build a stronger Alberta business community
- Demonstrate outstanding achievement, growth and leadership
- Demonstrate sound business/organization fundamentals.
- Demonstrate ongoing, consistent involvement in community events and organizations locally and/or provincially.
The winner will be announced to media across the province and will be presented with a special award at the Gala.
Business Innovation Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business/organization that has achieved outstanding results through original innovative strategies.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Business Innovation Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Have implemented an innovative initiative is original and has resulted in a significant and measurable increase in revenue or job creation; productivity or quality; reduction in costs; and/or improvement in service in either new products, technology, management, manufacturing processes or customer service
- Initiative submitted must be fully implemented/available in the market in the past 5 most recent fiscal years
- Initiatives submitted in previous years are not eligible unless significant unique and innovative enhancements have been made
- Initiatives can include but are not limited to projects, programs, processes, systems, technologies, developments, ventures, and undertakings
For example:
- streamlining processes
- commercializing technology
- developing new business models
- improving public services
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Community Attraction Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business/organization that has had a positive impact/influence on a community by making that community more attractive.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Community Attraction Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Attract people to the community to live, work and play
- Promote the health and well-being of the community
- Demonstrate long-term community engagement
- Demonstrate attraction and retention of volunteer and/or staff
- Provide experiences (cultural/sporting events/tourism) that showcase the region and promote regional tourism and economic activity in the community
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business or organization with outstanding achievement in practice, events, applied research, policy, programs, or other activities that foster equitable, sustainable and measurable change, especially for those who traditionally have been under-represented (women, visible/racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+). This award encourages businesses to embrace cultural differences and build relationships with diverse communities. By demonstrating these qualities, businesses can create a more inclusive workplace for all employees.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award of Distinction, the business must:
- Incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion in organizational strategy
- Introduce initiatives/programs/projects that contribute to the advancement of EDI and have made progress towards stated goals.
- Demonstrate methods to support an equitable and inclusive working environment
- Incorporate initiatives that demonstrate respect for EDI grounded in human rights
- Measurably improved business performance through inclusive business practices
For example:
- A strategic plan that embeds a commitment to the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion;
- A tool or practice that provides accommodations for an equity-seeking group e.g. increased accessibility for people with disabilities, or is designed to address racism;
- An initiative or action aiming at adapting or changing procedures, policies, or practices to make them fair or more inclusive;
- Fostering inclusive excellence in achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion goals;
- Exemplifying leadership in fostering an inclusive workplace.
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Female Entrepreneur Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a female entrepreneur for outstanding business achievements and meaningful contributions to the Alberta economy.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Female Entrepreneur Award of Distinction Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Be female-owned
- Demonstrate excellence in entrepreneurial management and leadership
- Have a strong, scalable business model with plans for future growth
- Have a commitment towards sustainability and social responsibility
- Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the well-being of the larger community
- Demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit through perseverance, the courage to take risks, and the ability to seize the opportunity
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Global Growth Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business/organization that demonstrates outstanding achievement in exporting products or services outside of Canada's borders.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Global Growth Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Export products, services or technologies that have Alberta content or Alberta value-added contribution outside of Canada
- Demonstrate global growth in their overall business, have made increases in exports over the past three years, or have maintained their position in export markets during difficult economic times - either for the company or in their geographic or industry-specific market as a direct result of entering international markets
- Demonstrate innovative and/or creative market entry strategy and established presence in one or more geographic markets.
- Demonstrate ability to overcome obstacles or other unique challenges in entering new international markets
- Demonstrated quality of their export plan through the use of innovation and strategies to promote brand awareness in their new market(s)
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Health and Wellness Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business/organization that demonstrates best practices when it comes to initiatives, programs, and benefits that enhance the physical and mental health and well-being of its employees and their families, both in and outside the workplace.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Health and Wellness Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Provide consistent and ongoing health and wellness support and resources for employees and their families
- Demonstrate visible leadership commitment to the organization’s health and wellness initiatives and programs
- Foster employee engagement and participation in the organization’s health and wellness initiatives and programs
- Contribute to overall culture and environment which support employees’ well-being, along with their continued development, personally and professionally
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
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Indigenous Business Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business/organization that is a major economic driver for First Nations, Metis or Inuit communities, by investing in, owning and/or managing subsidiary businesses to advance community interests.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Indigenous Business Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Demonstrate outstanding achievement in business by
incorporating intercultural relations, Indigenous values, and cultural concepts into organizational culture and business practices for long-term success - Demonstrate sustainable efforts in economic leadership, skill, and innovation
- Offer value to Indigenous communities and individuals in at least one Alberta community as a result of implementing best practices, including economic development, employment and training, and community engagement
- Take meaningful action to advance the principles of reconciliation through the organization’s policies and business practices
- Contribute in a substantive way to the economic well-being of indigenous communities in an identifiable and measurable way. Examples may include economic development, employment opportunities, sustained business growth, starting and maintaining new ventures, and creating options for the future
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Marketing Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business/organization that developed and implemented a successful marketing initiative that has a demonstrable impact on business outcomes.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Marketing Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Have implemented a marketing strategy/campaign/project that has not previously won an ABAD marketing award and that has been implemented within the last 24 months
- The marketing project should be focused on creating measurable and sustainable outcomes
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Mentorship Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a business/organization that exemplifies professionalism, and dedication to learning, and endorses a distinct strategy or program that promotes mentorship.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Mentorship Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Be knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the role of a mentor
- Endorse a distinct strategy or program that promotes mentorship
- Demonstrate ongoing relationships with mentees apprentices/students/mentees in order to transfer knowledge and information relevant to work, career or business.
- Create professional development opportunities through communication, learning, dialogue, and challenge
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Newcomer Entrepreneur Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes a newcomer who has overcome unique challenges to build a successful business/organization in Alberta and make meaningful contributions to the Alberta economy. This award honours the entrepreneurial successes and efforts of individuals who were born outside of Canada and now call Alberta home.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Newcomer Entrepreneur Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Be a newcomer to Canada within the last 10 years
- Have operated in Alberta for a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 fiscal years
- Demonstrate success in overcoming the challenges of being a newcomer to Canada/Alberta
- Have been living in Alberta for the majority of the time within the past 5 years
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Small Business Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes the contributions that small business owners provide to Alberta's economy. Because the SME industry plays such a crucial role in Alberta's economy, we want to recognize the entrepreneurs who work hard in making their small businesses a success.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Small Business Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Be primarily Alberta-owned and operated
- Have 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
- Have less than $5 million/year in sales revenue
- Demonstrate significant business achievement in business, sustained growth and potential to become a true pillar of Alberta's business community
- Demonstrate ongoing, consistent involvement in community events and organizations locally
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
Young Entrepreneur Award of Distinction
Description
Recognizes young entrepreneurs who exemplify the qualities of effective leadership, innovatively applied know-how, and excellent potential for growth. Young Entrepreneurs find new and inventive ways to fix problems and show a great deal of social savviness. They are opportunity grabbers, passionate about innovation and progress.
Requirements
Specific Qualifications
To be a valid entry in the Young Entrepreneur Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 1 fiscal year
- Aged 25 and under
- Demonstrate how they have used their skills to build a successful, sustainable, and blooming business that is rare for their age.
- Demonstrate that they have played a direct and primary role in the planning and establishment of the business, and currently be operating it in a leadership capacity
- Demonstrate sound potential for growth and success
General Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must:
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be operating in Alberta at the time of nomination and at the time of the awards presentation
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Not have won in the same category in the past three years
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the Alberta
- Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement
