economic driver award
innovation excellence
*NEW* 2026 CATEGORIES
We have some very exciting news to share with you about the 2026 Business Excellence Awards!
As the Chamber works closely with a multitude of working partners, businesses and organizations, we continue to receive a message loud and clear:
Cranbrook needs to be much more vocal about our achievements and successes.
Our business community is full of innovators, visionaries, leaders and generous donors, and we’re creating a space to shout it from the rooftops.
This year, we have refreshed and reimagined many of our Business Excellence Award categories, designed to encourage storytelling about these contributions from our business community.
What this means:
Non-profit Organizations are now eligible for more categories.
Businesses have a place to share the stories of success they have earned through the way they do business.
The rest of the world can better discover who Cranbrook is; we are a city built on strong community values, that is fueled by an innovative, resilient business community.
AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
economic driver award
Who is creating jobs, opportunities, and economic growth in Cranbrook?
The Economic Driver Award recognizes a business or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to economic growth, business development, workforce advancement, and long-term prosperity within Cranbrook. This award honours those who demonstrate leadership in strengthening the local economy through innovation, investment, job creation, strategic partnerships, industry development, or other initiatives that generate measurable economic impact. Recipients of this award are recognized not only for their business or organizational success, but also for their broader contributions to creating a resilient, sustainable, and thriving economic environment for businesses, workers, and the community as a whole. Nominees should excel at any of the following: • Capital investment, expansion, or infrastructure development • Creating employment opportunities and workforce development • Support for local suppliers, businesses, and services • Creating and/or delivering activities that stimulate new markets or industries • Sustainability and/or growth, even during economic challenges • Creating broader ripple effects of benefit on Cranbrook and region
Innovation Excellence
Who is raising the bar and redefining what is possible?
The Innovation Excellence Award recognizes a business or organization that demonstrates exceptional innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking leadership in products, services, operations, technology, or business strategy. This award honours businesses or organizations that combine originality with successful execution to deliver significant, measurable impact. Nominees should excel at: • Embedding innovation into their culture and strategy • Implementing and adopting new or improved products, services, or processes • Creating a workplace culture for innovation to thrive, while achieving measurable results and positive impacts within their business or organization, sector, or community
commitment to service excellence
Who goes above and beyond for their customers?
The Commitment to Service Excellence Award recognizes a business or organization that consistently demonstrates exceptional service, professionalism, and dedication to customer and/or client satisfaction. This award honours those who go above and beyond to create positive experiences, build strong relationships, and uphold high standards of service excellence through integrity, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. Nominees should excel at • Delivering professional and reliable service consistently and exceeding expectations • Taking accountability and providing follow-through • Commitment to making ongoing service improvements with integrity and care
Community Collaboration Excellence
Who is great at building partnerships to get things done?
The Community Collaboration Excellence Award recognizes an individual, business, or organization who achieved meaningful results by working together across boundaries—bringing people, groups, or sectors into alignment to address shared goals or challenges. Nominees should be: • Creating lasting collaboration and partnerships between businesses, non-profits, governments, or community groups • Coordinating and connecting diverse stakeholders around a common purpose • Actively involving different voices, perspectives, and communities
workplace CULTURE EXCELLENCE
Who makes their workplace a great place to work?
The Workplace Culture Excellence Award recognizes businesses and organizations that intentionally create and sustain a positive and thriving workplace culture through strong leadership, engaged employees, and value-driven practices that support well-being, collaboration, and long-term success. Nominees should excel at • Ensuring that employees are heard, valued, actively involved, and feel they belong • Being leaders that model and reinforce clear organizational values • Focusing on mental health, work-life balance, and a safe workplace • Creating opportunities for learning, advancement, and recognition
Diversity & Inclusion Excellence
Who creates a workplace where everyone belongs?
The Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award recognizes a business or organization that demonstrates a sustained and measurable commitment to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Through intentional actions and practices such as inclusive hiring practices, equitable policies, accessible design, and community engagement, the recipient actively fosters diverse representation, removes barriers to opportunity, and creates environments where all individuals can contribute and succeed. Nominees should excel at • Hiring, retention, and advancement of underrepresented groups • Ensuring work environments, programs, and communications are usable by people of all ability levels • Actively removing systemic barriers that limit participation • Providing mentorship, training, or community engagement
Outstanding Employee of the Year
Who should be recognized for making a difference to their team and organization?
The Outstanding Employee of the Year Award is an opportunity for employers to recognize their employees for consistent excellence in performance, professionalism, leadership, teamwork, and dedication to their business or organization, customers, and community. This award honours an individual who goes above and beyond in their role, contributes positively to workplace culture, demonstrates initiative and accountability, and consistently exemplifies the values and mission of their business or organization. Nominees should demonstrate: • Strong work ethic • Commitment to excellence • Meaningful contributions to business or organizational success and customer or client satisfaction *Nominations for this award may only be submitted by the employee's business owner or manager. Each workplace may submit only one nomination. If more than one nomination is received from the same workplace, only the first nomination received by the Chamber will be forwarded to the adjudication panel for consideration. **Self-nominations will not be accepted.
family business excellence
Who is carrying on a strong family business tradition?
The Family Business Excellence Award recognizes a family-owned or operated business that demonstrates exceptional performance, resilience, and multi-generational leadership while maintaining strong values, continuity, and commitment across generations. It honours a business that has proven sustained business success. Nominees have • Transitioned leadership across family generations • Fostered long-term trust with staff, customers, and local community • Applied their family principles and values to their business operations
outstanding community supporter
Who gives back to Cranbrook in a meaningful way?
The Outstanding Community Supporter Award recognizes businesses or organizations that go beyond business success to create meaningful, measurable, and lasting positive impact within their communities through responsible corporate citizenship and community engagement. This award celebrates sustained commitment to strengthening Cranbrook through strategic investment of resources, partnerships, and responsible business practices that create measurable community impact. Nominees demonstrate: • Support for community groups and projects with in-kind contributions and resource sharing • Investment efforts aligned with community needs and challenges • Meaningful collaboration with nonprofits, local groups, or Indigenous communities • Financial contributions such as grants, sponsorships, or long-term funding of community initiatives • Employee engagement in volunteer programs, skills-based volunteering, or paid volunteer community service time
Environmental Champion Award
Who is out in the field actively working toward leaving this place better than they found it?
The Environmental Champion Award recognizes a business that demonstrates strong, practical stewardship of the land and environment through responsible operations, measurable sustainability efforts, and long-term thinking. This award honours an approach to business that balances care for the land, water, habitat, and surrounding communities. The recipient shows that environmental responsibility is embedded into core operations through action, accountability, innovation, and measurable results. Nominees should excel at: • Demonstrating responsible land use and environmental stewardship in day-to-day operations • Reducing operational impact and taking practical steps toward sustainability and conservation • Restoring and protecting land, water, and habitat through reclamation and long-term planning • Using innovation and continuous improvement to enhance environmental performance • Showing accountability, regulatory compliance, and respect for community and local land use
Young Entrepreneur of the year
Who has transformed vision and ambition into business success?
Young Entrepreneur of the Year recognizes an outstanding young business leader (under 40) who has built or grown a business through creativity, resilience, and strategic thinking, and who serves as an inspiration to other emerging entrepreneurs. The recipient of this award exemplifies entrepreneurial excellence through exceptional vision, innovation, leadership, and business success while making a positive impact on their industry and community. Nominees should: • Be between the ages of 18 and 40 at the time of nomination • Own, co-own, or lead a registered business operating for a minimum period of 1–3 years • Demonstrate active involvement in the day-to-day leadership and strategic direction of the business • Show evidence of business growth, innovation, and sustainability ** Self-nominations will not be accepted.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
Who leads with purpose and serves with impact?
The Non-Profit Organization of the Year recognizes outstanding leadership, measurable community impact, innovation, sustainability, and commitment to mission. This award celebrates organizations that exemplify operational excellence, strong governance, effective collaboration, and meaningful contributions to improving the quality of life within their community or sector. The recipient demonstrates a clear vision, ethical leadership, and the ability to achieve measurable outcomes for a better Cranbrook. Nominees should: • Deliver significant and measurable impact through programs or services • Foster partnerships, inclusivity, and community engagement • Show organizational sustainability and long-term effectiveness • Inspire others through leadership and excellence in the non-profit sector **Self-nominations will not be accepted.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (1-15 employees)
Which small business stands out for its success?
The Business of the Year Award (1-15 employees) recognizes an outstanding small business that demonstrates excellence in leadership, customer service, business performance, workplace culture, innovation, and community involvement. The award honours small businesses that exemplify strong entrepreneurial spirit, sustainable growth, and a positive reputation within their industry and Cranbrook. Nominees must: • Be a business established for more than 3 years within Cranbrook • Have no more than 15 employees • Demonstrate resilience, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence **Self-nominations will not be accepted.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (16+ employees)
Who has set the benchmark for business excellence this year?[
The Business of the Year Award (16+ Employees) recognizes an outstanding business that demonstrates excellence in leadership, customer service, business performance, workplace culture, innovation, and community involvement. The award honours small businesses that exemplify strong entrepreneurial spirit, sustainable growth, and a positive reputation within their industry and Cranbrook. Nominees must • Be a business established for more than 3 years within Cranbrook • Have 16 or more employees • Demonstrate resilience, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence **Self-nominations will not be accepted.
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Who stands out as a leader in our business community?
The Business Person of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding business leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, business success, innovation, community involvement, and positive impact within Cranbrook and their sector. This award honours an individual who exemplifies professional excellence, strong leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to supporting employees, clients, and the broader community. The recipient demonstrates measurable business achievement while also contributing to economic growth, collaboration, and community well-being. Nominees: • Can be business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, or senior leaders from any sector or industry • Have been operating their business or been in their leadership position for at least three years • Have shown evidence of business growth, innovation, and sustainability • Are positive role models and mentors who exemplify community leadership and dedication **Self-nominations will not be accepted.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate the success of Cranbrook’s businesses and their leadership across all sectors; private, public and non-profit.
We shine a spotlight on the best of Cranbrook, to highlight our diversity, creativity, ingenuity and success in the local business community.
The Business Excellence Awards are open to businesses, registered non-profit organizations and individuals.
Everybody is welcome to attend the Award Ceremony!
Who can be nominated for an award?
Some categories specify if the award is for an individual, business and/or organization.
The following are eligible for nomination provided they operate in Cranbrook:
- Businesses (must have a City of Cranbrook business license)
- Registered non-profit organizations and societies
- Individuals (business professionals, entrepreneurs, employers, managers, etc.)
Anyone can submit a nomination including customers/clients, employees, employers, colleagues, community members, and business owners.
Self nominations are accepted for ONLY ONE of the following categories:
Economic Driver Award
Who is creating jobs, opportunities, and economic growth in Cranbrook?
Innovation Excellence
Who is raising the bar and redefining what is possible?
Commitment to Service Excellence
Who goes above and beyond for their customers?
Community Collaboration Excellence
Who is building partnerships in our community to get things done?
Workplace Culture Excellence
Who makes their workplace a great place to work?
Diversity & Inclusion Excellence
Who creates a workplace where everyone belongs?
Family Business Excellence
Who is carrying on a strong family business tradition?
Outstanding Community Supporter
Who gives back to Cranbrook in a meaningful way?
Environmental Champion
Who is out in the field, actively working toward leaving this place better than they found it?
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*If more than one self-nomination is received, the Chamber will select the category.
*Please note that the judges will base their decision on the nominee follow-up survey, not the initial nomination submission form itself.
Nominees are not required to hold a Cranbrook Chamber membership. However, they must operate/work in Cranbrook.
Yes. We encourage you to submit nominations for multiple businesses, organizations, or individuals.
No. You can only nominate the same business, organization, or individual for only one award category. If you nominate the same business, organization, or individual in multiple award categories, the nomination will be placed in only one award category at the Chamber’s discretion.
Award winners are not eligible for the award category they won within the last three years. However, they are eligible for a different award category. Past Business Excellence Award recipients
Our new refreshed categories enable non-profits to be eligible for more categories. Registered non-profit organizations now are eligible for:
- Economic Driver Award
- Innovation Excellence Award
- Commitment to Service Excellence Award
- Community Collaboration Excellence Award
- Workplace Culture Excellence Award
- Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award
- Outstanding Community Supporter Award
- Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award
Nominator information is used for administrative purposes only and is generally not shared with judges.
Nominations are treated as confidential and the nominator’s identity is not disclosed.
Eligible nominees will be notified and as part of their nomination acceptance will provide additional information. Nominees must accept a nomination.
Judges are typically business and community leaders selected for their experience, impartiality, and expertise.
No. Judges must declare any conflict of interest and recuse themselves from scoring nominees where a conflict exists.
Recipients are announced on stage at the Business Excellence Awards, Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Key City Theatre.
Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory. Specific event details will be provided to nominees.
Please contact the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce at [email protected]
We are happy to assist you with questions about eligibility, categories, nominations, or the nomination process.
community collaboration excellence
workplace CULTURE excellence
diversity & inclusion excellence
outstanding employee of the year
family business Excellence
outstanding community supporter
environmental champion award
young entrepreneur of the year
Non-Profit Organization of the Year
Business of The Year
(1-15 employees)
Business of The Year
(16+ employees)