Business Awards 2019

Each year the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce calls upon the region to nominate businesses that have excelled in our community, based on a determined set of criteria, to be singled out and recognized as exemplary examples of business excellence.

If you would like to sponsor the awards please download our sponsor package.

All nominees are evaluated by the following criteria and given a numerical score for each category and that is then added up to determine the winners. All scoring is done in a confidential manner and is not released to any party, including the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce.

Voting is now open for the People's Choice Award! (Voting close October 21, 2019)

Winners & Sponsors of the 2019 Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce Business Awards:

• Business of the Year - Over 20 Employees - Bill’s General Cleaning
  • Sponsored by Fort McMurray International Airport
• Business of the Year - Under 20 Employees - Brignall Equipment
  • Sponsored by Syncrude Canada Ltd.
• Environment & Sustainability - Get Energy
  • Sponsored by Suncor Energy
• Female Leadership - Doreen Cole, Syncrude Canada Ltd.
  • Sponsored by Bouchier Contracting Ltd.
• Indigenous Business - Saskana Staffing
  • Sponsored by CNRL
• Startup Business - Mindful Elevation
  • Sponsored by Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation
• Youth Entrepreneur - F & A Aquarium
  • Sponsored by CNOOC / Nexen
• People’s Choice - YMM Dance Company
  • Sponsored by Canadian Tire

Additional sponsors include:

• Presenting Sponsors - ATB Financial, Stringam, and MNP
• Media Sponsors – Mix 103.7 FM & 100.5 Cruz FM
• Community Networking Sponsor – Community Futures Wood Buffalo
• Printing Sponsor – Printing Unlimited L.P.
• Award Video Partner – Melanie Galea

Award Descriptions and Criteria

Business of the Year - Over 20 Employees & Under 20 Employees

This will be awarded to two businesses with respective award winners and nominee(s) differentiated by the number of full-time employees that they have.

Environment & Sustainability 

Nominee(s) must have demonstrated outstanding leadership in economic, social, charitable, or environmental activities. They have shown a dedicated focus on achieving a vision and mandate aligned with ongoing contributions to the environment and/or sustainability. As well, the nominee(s) promotes volunteerism. 

Nominee(s) must have demonstrated excellence in their field. In addition they must be acting in a leadership capacity and have demonstrated leadership qualities in enhancing entrepreneurship for women. 

Indigenous Business

The nominee(s) have incorporated cross-cultural relations and Indigenous values into organizational culture and business practices. They have value-added benefits 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. This award is not limited to ownership, but rather will be based on what the nominee does for heritage, and the Indigenous communities. 

Startup

The nominee(s) must have been in operation for less than three years. As well, nominees in this category must be sustainable in nature, and show growth potential.

Youth Entrepreneur

The nominee(s) must be an individual under the age of 30. The nominee(s) must have played a direct and primary role in the planning and establishment of the business, and must be currently operating in a leadership capacity. 

People’s Choice

The nominee(s) have enhanced the quality of life for the community, and attracted people to the area. They will have promoted and added vibrancy to the well-being, health, and development of the community. The nominee(s) have demonstrated long-term community engagement, and have taken opportunities to showcase the region through marketing and community events, and/or programs. As well, they have promoted cultural activities, tourism, and/or sporting events. 

While nominees in this category will be determined by the Committee based on the above criteria, the winner of the People’s Choice category will be determined by public ballot.

About the Award Process

To be eligible as a valid nominee in any category your business must:

• Maintain operations in the Wood Buffalo region at the time of awards
• Have not won in the category in the past three years
• Within the past 3 years:
  • Contributed significantly and demonstrably to the economic and social well-being of Wood Buffalo
  • Evidenced sustained financial viability, growth and success
• And have derived no more than 30% of annual revenue from any combination of donations, grants and/or subsidies.

All nominations are reviewed & evaluated by an independent judging committee made up of local, qualified members of the business community.

Their mandate is to objectively determine the finalists and ultimately the winner in each category based on the applicable criteria outlined.

In that regard, all nominees will be evaluated as follows:

• People & Clients - This criteria explores the business relationship internally with employees and externally with clients 
• Profit & Growth - This criteria explores the history and future plans for growth 
• Community Involvement - This criteria relates to the social aspect of business extending to the community 
• Global Community & Sustainability - This criteria relates to aspects of business that extends to an awareness of business as it relates to the larger global community