Each year, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is proud to celebrate and recognize business excellence in the Greater Vancouver region through the Business Distinction Awards. This initiative, supported by members of the Scale-up Centre for SMEs Advisory Committee, recognizes small and medium sized businesses that have gone above and beyond to set themselves apart in a variety of areas including sustainability, growth, leadership and more.

Nominations are collected in the spring and reviewed by the Scale-up Centre for SMEs Advisory Committee, comprised of GVBOT members from a myriad of sectors and industries, representing the diversity of the Greater Vancouver business community. The shortlisted nominees are announced in June and invited to participate in the creation of a special highlight video. An expert panel of business leaders and GVBOT members will make the final selections in each category and the winners will be revealed at an awards event in the fall. The Business Distinction Awards are open to members and non-members to showcase the depth, talent and leadership of our community’s vibrant business community. Submit a nomination today!

Winners and Finalists:

2025

2024

2023

2022

Nomination Guide Sponsorship Package

Nomination Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on Monday May 4, 2026
Shortlisted nominees will be notified in June. The celebration event date and location will be announced sometime in the summer.

NOMINATION FORM
Select the Award Category for Nomination *

Nominee Information

Company Name *
Company size, by number of employees: *
Head Office Address *
Province *
City *
Postal Code *
First Name *
Last Name *
Professional Title *
Email *
Phone *
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    In 2 to 3 sentences, please provide a description of the nominated business e.g elevator pitch *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    Non-profit of the Year

    This award recognizes a non-profit organization with charitable status that has demonstrated excellence in achieving its goals, volunteer engagement, stakeholder engagement and a plan for long-term sustainable growth. 

    Describe the goals and outcomes your non-profit set out to achieve in the most recent financial year. Were they achieved and what was the impact? *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe how your organization effectively engages staff and volunteers. What strategies, programs, culture, and professional development processes and practices do you have in place to ensure high retention? *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe how your organization collaborates and engages with the community. How do you mobilize volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders to support your objectives? What are some partnerships that have been effective in maximizing impact? *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe your organization’s long-term vision and impact and how will you build capacity and fundraise to ensure continued success and impact into the future. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    Employer of the Year

    This award recognizes a business that has invested in leading practices in the last 12-18 months that contribute to an overall positive workplace culture.

    Describe practices implemented recently to improve employee happiness and well-being and overall workplace culture. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe your recruitment, retention, and talent development processes and how they have been successful. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe your employee wellbeing and inclusion programs and how they have benefitted your employees. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    Please submit verifiable data which may include but isn’t limited to: *

     

    • Summary of employee engagement survey results including questions asked.
    • Employee retention percentage.
    • Press releases or media acknowledgments. 
    • Testimonial(s) or reference from employees which include outcomes .
    • Partner or client testimonial(s) .
    Only one PDF document that is no more than 10 pages and 10MB. If you have difficulty attaching your documents, please email them to programs@boardoftrade.com
    Drag & Drop Files Here Browse Files

    Business of the Year 1-20 Employees

    This award recognizes an outstanding small business that demonstrates excellence in performance, leadership, and community contribution while operating with a lean team. The recipient exemplifies resilience, innovation, and strong stewardship of resources. 

    Describe your company’s performance over the past two years. Include revenue growth (percentages acceptable), key milestones, and how you have adapted to market or economic changes. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    What differentiates your business in the marketplace? Provide specific examples of innovation, new offerings, or operational improvements that strengthened your competitiveness. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    How do you foster a strong workplace culture while delivering exceptional customer experience? Provide measurable outcomes such as retention rates, employee engagement initiatives, testimonials, or customer satisfaction metrics. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe how your business contributes to the local community or broader economy. Include partnerships, volunteerism, mentorship, or economic impact. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    Please attach any relevant documents at the end of this form or if you prefer you can email them to Rosine Hage-Moussa, Dir of Events, Programs & EDI Initiatives at  rhagemoussa@boardoftrade.com.

    Business of the Year 21-250 Employees

    This award honours an established business that has achieved sustained success, strong operational performance, and meaningful impact within the regional economy. The recipient demonstrates strategic leadership, organizational excellence, and responsible growth.

    Outline your organization’s financial performance and growth strategy over the past two years. Include key metrics and how leadership positioned the company for long-term success. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Revenue Range (select one): *
    Under $500,000
    $500,000 – $2 million
    $2 million – $10 million
    $10 million – $50 million
    $50 million+
    Prefer not to answer
    Revenue Growth (past two years):*
    Decline
    0–10% growth
    10–25% growth
    25–50% growth
    50%+ growth
    Prefer not to answer
    Profitability Status:*
    Profitable
    Break-even
    Reinvesting for growth
    Pre-profit / early stage
    Prefer not to answer
    Describe how your organization drives operational effectiveness and innovation. Include governance practices, systems improvements, technology adoption, or risk management strategies that strengthened performance. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    How does your organization invest in its people? Provide examples of leadership development, employee engagement, diversity initiatives, and measurable outcomes. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe your organization’s impact on the regional economy and community. Include job creation, partnerships, social responsibility initiatives, or sector leadership. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    Please attach any relevant documents at the end of this form or if you prefer you can email them to Rosine Hage-Moussa, Dir of Events, Programs & EDI Initiatives at  rhagemoussa@boardoftrade.com.

    Environmental Impact

    This award recognizes a business for its positive contributions to environmental sustainability and conservation efforts through a recently introduced or reimagined product or service.

    Describe how your product or service addresses an environmental issue. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    What is the measurable impact of your product or service on any/all of the following in the last 12-18 months:  *

     

    1. Resource conservation and efficiency
    2. Carbon footprint reduction
    3. Pollution prevention and waste reduction
    4. Other?
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe the long-term vision for your product or service to make an increasingly positive impact on the environment. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    Greater Vancouver Vibrancy Award

    This award celebrates and showcases the outstanding contributions of businesses that enrich the cultural fabric of the region, promote diversity and inclusion, and contribute to its overall vibrancy and livability.

    Describe your business’ tangible contributions to the Greater Vancouver region and initiatives that foster community engagement and cohesion. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe how your business is unique and innovative in its offerings of products or services that differentiate it from competitors while contributing to the city’s social development. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)
    Describe your business’ commitment and long-term vision for ongoing enhancement of our region’s cultural landscape, ensuring arts, culture, diversity and inclusion remain integral to our regions' identity and future prosperity. *
    0 (Max. 500 Characters)

    Nominator Information

    First Name *
    Professional Title *
    Last Name *
    Company *
    Address *
    Province *
    City *
    Postal Code *
    Phone *
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      Email *

      I would like my nomination to remain anonymous: *

      If you select “yes” we will not inform your nominee of your nomination.

      Supporting Documents

      Only one PDF document that is no more than 10 pages and 10MB. If you have difficulty attaching your documents, please email them to programs@boardoftrade.com
      Drag & Drop Files Here Browse Files
      Confirmation *

      By checking this box, I confirm that the nomination I am submitting is accurate and reflective of the nominee for the 2026 Business Distinction Awards.

      Submit
      Back Next

      Thank you for your application.

       

      Those selected to move to the next step will be contacted.

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      2025 Sponsors

      Presenting Sponsors:

      Blue Carpet Welcome:

      Gold Sponsor:

      Silver Sponsors:

      Scale-up Centre for SMEs Signature Partner:

      Scale-up Centre for SMEs Supporting Sponsors:

      Scale-up Centre for SMEs Community Sponsors:

       


      The Scale-up Centre for SMEs (SCS) is an initiative of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. The SCS works to understand the trends, forces, and issues impacting SME growth, innovation, and competitiveness and develops programming and policy to address these issues. Based on the goals of helping companies to discover gaps, engage with experts, and create solutions to address obstacles to growth, the SCS connects, educates, and inspires SMEs in British Columbia.