Nominations open on August 28 and close on September 18. During this period, you are invited to nominate local businesses or individuals who best reflect the values and criteria of each award category.
After the nomination period, a member of the Squamish Chamber team will contact nominees to confirm their eligibility.
Eligible Nominees will need to submit an entry. Entry Submissions deadline is September 25.
The Finalist Vetting Period will run from September 18 to October 1. During this time, the judging panel will review submissions and select three finalists per category.
Public Voting will be open from October 9 - 23, giving the community an opportunity to vote for their top business or individual in each category.
Award winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on November 13.
Arts and Entertainment Award
Description
Recognizes a business that provides a platform for a diverse range of arts and entertainment within the community. This business is a leader and role model to other businesses of its kind and is creating opportunities within the arts community. It demonstrates strong engagement and collaboration with artists and community members and has made positive contributions to the artistic and business community through engaged efforts. It has demonstrated excellence in creativity and customer experience.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
Fields
- Your business is registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Your business is licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - You are a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Creating Opportunity |
| Leader & Role Model |
| Engaged Collaboration |
| Customer Experience |
Bill Manson Citizen of the Year Award
Description
The Bill Manson Award recognizes a local citizen who has contributed significant volunteer time to enrich the quality of life in Squamish. This individual, outside of their regular employment, continuously engages in time spent leading or contributing to projects that make our community healthy and sustainable for every citizen. This individual is well-respected in the community and inspires others to make positive contributions to Squamish.
Requirements
- Must be a past, present, or future Squamish Chamber Member
- Must be an individual, not a business or organization
Fields
- Are you an individual and not an organization?
- Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Volunteer Time |
| Builds Community through Leadership |
| Positive Reputation |
Business Innovation Award
Description
Recognizes a business for ingenuity and innovation in product design, marketing, science, technology, productivity, commercialization, business planning, employee training and other business activities. This business has a proven record of thriving by adopting/developing/creating tools or technology within key areas of organizational operations.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
Fields
- Your business is registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Your business is licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - You are a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Growth Through Innovation |
| Marketing & Commercialization |
| Science & Technology |
| Business Planning & Development |
Business Leader of the Year Award
Description
The Business Leader of the Year Award recognizes a local business person who has had a major impact on the landscape of the local business community. They are an exemplary leader and exhibit vision and passion. They continuously give back by supporting community initiatives and projects.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
- Must be an individual, not a business or organization
Fields
- You are an individual? (not a business or organization)
- You are a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Is your business registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Your business is licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Local Impact |
| Leadership Skills |
| Local Contributions |
Community Builder Award
Description
Recognizes a business, organization or non-profit association that has contributed to enriching our community through financial, volunteer or project-based contributions. They have made a marked impact on the lives of Squamish citizens and have made positive enhancements to community infrastructure, services and/or amenities.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
Fields
- Is your business registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Your business is licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - You are a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Local Contributions |
| Local Impact |
Emerging Entrepreneur Award
Description
Recognizes an entrepreneur who has exhibited strong business acumen and instilled exemplary practices in their business. This could be a young business person who has demonstrated a high level of entrepreneurial spirit and goes above and beyond in their business and the community.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
- Must be an individual, not a business or organization
Fields
- Are you an individual? (not a business or organization)
- Is your business registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Is your business licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - Are you a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Overcome Challenges |
| Entrepreneurial Spirit |
| Filling The Gap |
Environmental Impact Award
Description
Recognizes a business with an outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability. This business has tangibly reduced environmental impact, waste outputs, and energy use through improved efficiencies, programs, projects, processes, systems, technologies, employee engagement, or other business operations. It demonstrates community leadership through its sustainability initiatives and has a positive influence on the impact awareness of the business community.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
Fields
- Your business is registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Your business is licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - You are a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Reputation in Sustainability |
| Sustainability Results |
| Sustainability Leadership |
Indigenous Business Award
Description
Recognizes an Indigenous-owned business that demonstrates focused business growth and leadership, while being committed to exceptional service delivery and the wellbeing of their employees.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be 51% owned by Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, or Inuit group or individual
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
Fields
- Your business is registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Your business is licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - You are a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Is at least 51% owned by Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, or Inuit group or individual?
- Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Growth and Leadership |
| Reputation and Customer Service |
| Employee Wellbeing |
Medium-Large Business Award
Description
Recognizes a business that demonstrates continual business growth and leadership while being committed to exceptional service delivery and the wellbeing of their employees. (10+ employees)
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
- Must have 10+ staff members.
Fields
- Is your business registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Is your business licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - Are you a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
- Do you have 10+ employees?
Criteria
| Growth and Leadership |
| Reputation and Customer Service |
| Employee Wellbeing |
New Business Award
Description
Recognizes a newly founded (3 years or less from date of registration/licensing), independent business that demonstrates exemplary business practices and shows exceptional promise for continued growth. This new business serves as an inspiration for other new businesses in the community.
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
- Must have been in business for 3 years or less
Fields
- Is your business registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Is your business licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - Has your business been in business for 3 years or less?
- Are you a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Growth and Leadership |
| Reputation and Customer Service |
| Employee Wellbeing |
| Filling The Gap |
Small Business Award
Description
Recognizes a business that demonstrates continual business growth and leadership while being committed to exceptional service delivery and the wellbeing of their employees. (1-9 employees)
Requirements
- Must be registered and licensed in Squamish
- Must be a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing
- Must have 9 employees or less
Fields
- Is your business registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Is your business licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - Are you a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
- Do you have 9 employees or less?
Criteria
| Growth and Leadership |
| Reputation and Customer Service |
| Employee Wellbeing |
Workplace of the Year Award
Description
Recognizes a business that excels in demonstrating a commitment to the health, wellbeing and the personal and professional growth of their people through providing an exemplary work environment, corporate culture, and support.
Requirements
Must be registered and licensed in Squamish.
Must be a Squamish Chamber member (in good standing).
Fields
- Your business is registered in BC?
You have a provincial business registration number. - Your business is licensed in Squamish?
You have a license to operate in Squamish through the District of Squamish. - You are a Squamish Chamber Member in good standing?
'Good standing' means your 2025 member account is paid and active. - Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
- Please provide specific examples of how you/your business meets the criteria for this award.
Criteria
| Employee Wellbeing |
| Workplace Environment |
| Employee Opportunities |
