Calgary Chamber announces 2024 Small Business Award winners

Eight local businesses honoured at the Calgary Small Business Awards, presented by Rogers Business

In the ultimate celebration of Calgary’s small business community, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Small Business Awards, presented by Rogers Business. This year, over 250 businesses were nominated for awards across eight categories.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s Small Business Award winners,” says Deborah Yedlin, President & CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “There is nothing small about small business, and this year’s award winners are a testament to the big impact that small businesses have on our community and our economy. I am continuously inspired by the heart and hard work that Calgary’s business community pours into making our city a vibrant place to live, work, start a business and thrive.”

“We are proud to support Calgary’s Small Business Week and to celebrate this year’s award winners,” says Tom Turner, President, Rogers Business. “Small businesses are critical to our economy, accounting for more than 95% of all Calgary business and Rogers Business is committed to being the partner that helps small businesses achieve their goals and be successful.”

2024 Award Winners 

Servus Credit Union Small Business of the Year: AdaptAbility Store Inc.

AdaptAbility was founded by a mother of a child with autism and other special needs after she struggled to find suitable products. Drawing on her personal experience and work with Family Services for Children with Disabilities (FSCD), she aims to help families navigate available resources and provide access to the best special needs products. AdaptAbility's mission is to educate parents and teachers on early intervention tools and be a trusted resource for high-quality products and support within the community.

Grant Thorton Emerging Growth Award: SKA Thermal Spa

Calgary’s only urban thermal spa, located in the heart of Beltline, SKA Thermal Spa brings hydrotherapy indoors with a unique combination of hot and cold facilities, along with a full line-up of treatments. While SKA offers tranquillity alongside rest and relaxation, they believe in life balance and strive to offer that there.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award: Tacit Edge Inc.

Tacit Edge is a Canadian tech-education company focused on increasing the representation of women and visible minorities in product management and related roles. Through a combination of online learning, coaching, and group facilitation, Tacit Edge helps attract, train, and retain qualified product managers across various industries. Co-founders Christa Hill and Renee Matsalla bring extensive industry experience, with Christa having scaled products at Getty Images and Benevity, and Renee coaching product managers worldwide, including at SAIT and the New York Federal Reserve. Together, they aim to create a high-caliber product management curriculum while promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech sector.

Air Canada Community Champion Award: Bird Creatives Ltd.

Bird Creatives is a dynamic creative agency that specializes in crafting innovative brand experiences through design, storytelling and strategy. With a passionate team of communications, marketing and event experts, Bird Creatives partners with clients to develop compelling visual identities and engaging content that help them elevate their presence in the community. Committed to collaboration and creativity, Bird Creatives empowers clients to communicate their unique narratives and achieve their goals through impactful design and strategic thinking.

Bow Valley College Innovation Award: C.E.C Innovations Ltd.

Using a combination of patented water sampling technologies, customized analytical methods and rapid testing platform, C.E.C Innovations makes water data accessible for improving human, animal, and environmental health. Beyond redefining water sampling, the company envisions a future where their innovative solutions extend into a comprehensive ecosystem of environmental intelligence. This groundbreaking work includes identifying virus hotspots, identifying illicit drugs and poisoning agents, and tracking public health targets across multiple locations.

ATB Financial Indigenous Entrepreneurship Award: Muskwa Productions

Muskwa Productions is a media and production company dedicated to amplifying Indigenous voices through authentic storytelling, through services such as media and public relations, media training, marketing, social media, event and video productions, public speaking, speech writing, cross-cultural communications training and strategies. Founded by Nicole Robertson, the company creates impactful films, documentaries, and multimedia content that highlight the rich culture and contemporary issues faced by Indigenous communities. Committed to excellence and creativity, Muskwa Productions inspires and educates through compelling visual storytelling that fosters connection and understanding.

CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award: MAXGreen Windows, Siding and Roofing

MAXgreen Windows, Siding and Roofing is a family of award-winning, dedicated home improvement experts, offering high quality and premium value professional exterior renovation services for residential and light commercial properties. With a committment to 100 % satisfaction and never cutting corners to cut costs, MAXgreen believes that homeowners shouldn’t have to be inconvenienced to ensure a Leak-Proof, comfortable home, and that they should feel great about their exterior renovation experience, all this while raising money and awareness for local charities.

CHPR Alberta People’s Choice Award: Bowness Soapworks

Bowness Soapworks is a handcrafted soap and skincare company dedicated to creating high-quality, natural products that nourish the skin and delight the senses. Located in Bowness, Alberta, the company prides itself on using only the finest ingredients, including ethically sourced oils and botanicals, to produce artisanal soaps that are both effective and environmentally friendly. Committed to sustainability, Bowness Soapworks employs eco-conscious practices in its production processes and packaging. With a focus on wellness and self-care, the brand offers a variety of unique fragrances and formulations, ensuring that customers can find the perfect product to suit their needs. Through its commitment to quality and community, Bowness Soapworks aims to inspire a more mindful approach to personal care.

Quick Facts 

• The Calgary Chamber accepts applications and nominations across eight categories, each highlighting a different theme that embodies what it means to be a small business. In 2024, over 250 businesses were nominated.  
• There are over 1.2 million small and medium business in Canada, employing 7.8 million Canadians. This represents 99% of all businesses in Canada, 64% of our workforce and nearly half of Canada’s GDP. 
• There are 63,000 small businesses in Calgary, comprising 95% of all businesses in Calgary. 
• 85% of Chamber members are small businesses. 
• Small Business Week has been running for 41 years. 
  
  
  

About the Calgary Chamber of Commerce 

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce exists to help businesses reach their potential. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.

Media opportunities 

For media inquiries, please contact

Brittany Brander, Manager, Public Relations & Communications
media@calgarychamber.com