GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
To be a valid entry in the Grande Prairie Chamber Awards of Distinction, a business must:
- Be operating in the Grande Prairie area and continue to do so at the time of the awards presentation;
- Have been in operation in the Grande Prairie area for a minimum one fiscal year unless stated otherwise
- Not have previously won in the same category in the past three years;
- Not have anyone in their management, on their board, or in their employ serving on the Grande Prairie Chamber Awards of Distinction selection committee for the category in which they’ve been nominated.
Award applicants are not required to be a member of the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce.
AWARD CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA:
GREATEST IMPACT AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes a business that has been operating for at least three years and has had a significant impact in the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and overall commitment to making Grande Prairie and area a great place to live and do business.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes the business that best exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership, innovatively applied know-how, and excellent potential for growth; shows a high level of social, cultural, and environmental awareness; has demonstrated commitment to the wider community; engages in continuous learning or other improvement opportunities designed to advance the economic, social, and environmental prospects of the enterprise. The primary business owner(s) must be under the age of 40, must have played a direct and primary role in the planning and establishment of the business, and currently be operating it in a leadership capacity.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes an inclusive business/organization which demonstrates best practices in recognizing and appreciating diversity so that employees, clients, customers, and others are respected and valued as unique individuals. Inclusion is the act of creating a work environment of hiring and staff development practices in which all employees feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued, and able to fully participate in the organization’s mission and business performances. This could be accomplished through the introduction of systems and processes to transform and measure employee engagement; demonstration of methods for broadly accessible employee development for all staff; measurably improved business performances through inclusive business practices; and incorporation of diversity and inclusion values and initiatives in organizational strategy.
LEGACY BUSINESS AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes a business or franchise that is independently owned and/or locally operated, has been in Grande Prairie and area for at least 10 years, and has shown sustained growth and contributions to local employment. This business has invested in the community and sees community investment as a core part of the company's values.
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes a business/organization that demonstrates outstanding business achievement by incorporating Indigenous cultural concepts and community engagement into organizational strategies, practices and processes. The business may also provide value-added benefits to the Indigenous community as a result of implementing best practices including economic development, employment and training, and community engagement.
MARKETING AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes a business/organization that has developed and implemented successful marketing strategies within the past two years which have had a demonstrable impact on business outcomes.
EMERGING BUSINESS AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes an emerging business/organization that is showing success in business through growth, new product and/or sales, and is demonstrating a connection to Grande Prairie and area. The eligible business/organization has been operating for between one and three fiscal years.
LEADING EDGE AWARD OF DISTINCTION
This award recognizes a business/organization that has developed a process, product or service that is original and is directly contributing to profitability and/or market share. This award provides an opportunity to acknowledge the creative and innovative application of technology in company development and growth and industry in general.
