One night to celebrate the countless champions in the Calgary small business community.

At the Calgary Chamber, we know that entrepreneurs and small business owners spend most of their time moving their businesses forward, creating jobs and building community. At the Small Business Awards, we celebrate Calgary’s best—their hard work, their economic contributions and their lasting impact on our city and beyond.

This year, the Calgary Chamber is celebrating the 40th Calgary Small Business Awards. We’re planning something big, and we want you to be a part of it!

This year's awards gala will take place on Friday, October 20, 2023.

2023 Award Categories

connectFirst Credit Union Small Business of the Year Award

The ultimate hardware at Small Business Week, the connectFirst Credit Union Small Business of the Year Award is presented to the Calgary small business that has demonstrated significant business achievement, sustained growth, and the potential to become a true pillar of our city; a leader in Calgary’s business community.​

Emerging Growth Award

The Emerging Growth Award is presented to the new emerging small business that has shown rapid growth and profitability in its first 1-3 years of operations and shows the potential for future growth and commercial success.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award

This award is presented to the Calgary small business that is a leader in progressing principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplace and community.

Community Champion Award

The COVID-19 Pandemic forced Calgary businesses to pivot operations, support their neighbours and come together like never before. The Calgary business community is strong, resilient and has a long history of supporting one another when it is needed the most. The 2023 Community Champion Award showcases the best community leaders our city has to offer.​

Bow Valley College Innovation Award

The Bow Valley College Innovation Award is presented to the Calgary small business that is pushing conventional boundaries and is disrupting and reshaping their industry through groundbreaking achievements in bringing innovation to market. This could be done in the following ways: a creative business concept that brings innovation to market, product creation or an innovative approach that improves productivity or work processes.​

Air Canada Resilient Business Award

The Air Canada Resilient Business Award is for businesses, big and small, who have shown, and continue to show resiliency, compassion and dedication since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic.​

CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award

The Social Entrepreneurship Award is presented to the Calgary small business that has been a leader in finding ways of doing business while doing good for the large community and environment. Whether this is through monetary contribution to local charities, to finding innovative ways to be resourceful and respect the environment. These businesses truly look out for the triple bottom line – people, profits, planet. Please note that this award is open to businesses in all industries, applicants do not have to be companies that work exclusively in community engagement or the environment.

Servus Credit Union People’s Choice Award

Presented to the Calgary small business that can demonstrate they have engaged the loyal support of their community. This award is determined by a public vote.​