Business Awards

The Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce recognizes the important contribution of business in our community by celebrating in the form of our Annual Business Awards. 

Full list of Previous Year's Winners

Business Awards Categories

* Please note the Business Award Categories have changed for 2023.

Small Business of the Year

• A business with 1-10 employees
• This award recognizes a small business that has demonstrated excellence in 2023 by way of business practices, achievements and leadership in one or more of the following areas:
  • Innovation and creativity
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Resiliency that brought the business through the unique challenges of 2023 including inflation, labour shortages and supply chain challenges
  • Healthy workplace practices and programs
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Community service
• Businesses must be located in the Fort Saskatchewan and District Chamber of Commerce trade area (including Lamont, Gibbons, Bruderheim)

 

Medium Business of the Year

• A business with 11-39 employees
• This award recognizes a medium business that has demonstrated excellence in 2023 by way of business practices, achievements and leadership in one or more of the following areas:
  • Innovation and creativity
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Resiliency that brought the business through the unique challenges of 2023 including inflation, labour shortages and supply chain challenges
  • Healthy workplace practices and programs
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Community service
• Businesses must be located in the Fort Saskatchewan and District Chamber of Commerce trade area (including Lamont, Gibbons, Bruderheim)

 

Large Business of the Year

• A business with 40+ employees
• This award recognizes a large business that has demonstrated excellence in 2023 by way of business practices, achievements and leadership in one or more of the following areas:
  • Innovation and creativity
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Resiliency that brought the business through the unique challenges of 2023 including inflation, labour shortages and supply chain challenges
  • Healthy workplace practices and programs
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Community service
• Businesses must be located in the Fort Saskatchewan and District Chamber of Commerce trade area (including Lamont, Gibbons, Bruderheim)

 

Industrial Business of the Year

• A business operating within the Industrial Heartland
• This award recognizes an industrial business that has demonstrated excellence in 2023 by way of business practices, achievements and leadership in one or more of the following areas:
  • Innovation and creativity
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Resiliency that brought the business through the unique challenges of 2023 including inflation, labour shortages and supply chain challenges
  • Healthy workplace practices and programs
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Community service
• Businesses must be located in the Fort Saskatchewan and District Chamber of Commerce trade area (including Lamont, Gibbons, Bruderheim)

 

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

• Active business operating in the Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont region
• Nominee must be the owner/founder of the business and 35 years or younger on January 1st, 2023. 
• This award recognizes a young entrepreneur that has demonstrated excellence in 2023 by way of business practices, achievements and leadership in one or more of the following areas
  • Outstanding business performance and achievements
  • Business growth and longevity
  • Innovation
  • Perseverance and tenacity
  • Entrepreneurial spirit and skills 
  • Community service and involvement

 

New Business of the Year

• Active business operating in the Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont region that has started in the past two years
• This award recognizes a new business that has demonstrated excellence in 2023 by way of business practices, achievements and leadership in one or more of the following areas:
  • Outstanding business performance and achievements in a short period of time
  • Growth and sales 
  • Products and services
  • Innovation
  • Exceptional promise for growth 
  • Healthy workplace practices and programs
  • Outstanding customer service
  • Community service

 

Non-Profit Organization of the Year

• Active registered non-profit organization operating in the Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont region
• This award recognizes a non-profit that has demonstrated excellence in 2023 by way of practices, achievements and leadership in one or more of the following areas:
  • Commitment to meeting a need in the community. 
  • Proven services and/or programs to benefit Fort Saskatchewan and/or the surrounding regions
  • Strong evaluation of impact through qualitative and quantitative results 
  • Community visibility 
  • Other noteworthy contributions and accomplishments 

 

Terry Douglas Award of Excellence

This award was created in 2006 and named after Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce Past President Terry Douglas. This prestigious award is given to an exemplary individual who has made significant contributions to Fort Saskatchewan as a whole.

Terry came to Fort Saskatchewan in 1987 and took over the Canadian Tire Store.

He immediately doubled the size of the store and added 10,000 new items to the shelves. Being a person who gets involved in his community, Terry joined the Chamber and soon was elected to the Board of Directors. He moved up to President of the organization in 1992. During his presidency he was instrumental in The Chamber securing a long term lease with the City of Fort Saskatchewan to move our office to the CN Station. A location that was our home until December 2016.

Terry owned a business that relied heavily on the youth population of Fort Saskatchewan to run his business. He also understood the importance of education and therefore developed the criteria for Chamber’s first Scholarship Award, a program that ran successfully for a number of years. Terry’s business success was recognized by the Chamber in 1992 when he received the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year Award.

Outside of his business and Chamber responsibilities, Terry was involved in such organizations as the Kinsmen Club, Crimestoppers and Ducks Unlimited. Terry was always available for sponsorships and donations where and when needed. For instance, Canadian Tire generously donated all of the paint products for the restoration of the CN Station.

The Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Terry Douglas’s outstanding interest in and contribution to the life of our community. As such, the award which recognizes exceptional achievement above and beyond the economic contributions made by the successful operations of a business, it is not necessarily given out each year.

This award is selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Owner and/or operator of a Fort Saskatchewan & District business
• A current Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce member

Winners must meet the following criteria for this award:

Contribution of Business Achievement by:

• A positive and influential impact on business development
• Displaying an above standard level of service and demonstrates business success and achievement
• Best reflecting the outstanding spirit and success of the business community
• Demonstrating outstanding leadership and innovation

 As well as contribution to the community as demonstrated by:

• Showing an admirable record of community volunteerism/sponsorship/generosity
• Making an important contribution to the quality of lives in Fort Saskatchewan
• Providing a positive impact on community development
• Exhibiting a passion and dedication through active participation in the community

 

Ken Hodgins Meritorious Service Award

This award was created in 2010 and named after Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce past Executive Director Ken Hodgins.

Ken Hodgins started Colonial Mens Wear in 1969. In 1980, he moved to the Fort Saskatchewan Mall and re-named it Hodgins Menswear. Five years later, Hodgins built the Kendra Building on 99th Avenue and moved his business in. He operated the business with his wife until 1996.

While he owned the menswear store, he also volunteered on many committees in the community. He started and coached the first T- ball league.

He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1977-78 and started many projects within the Chamber. He volunteered on the Farmers' Market Committee and Chamber of Commerce Directory. He was also the first Executive Director of the Chamber.

 

He was a city alderman (later re-named councillor) from 1986-1995 as well as Mayor from 1995-2004. He served on city boards and committees, including initiating the local recycling program and chairing the fundraising committee for the Dow Centennial Centre that successfully raised over $7 million. He initiated and co-chaired City Entrance Signs as well as Canada Volunteer, Hire-a-Student and Shop the Fort committees.

He was been a Kinsmen member, in which he has been involved with many committees and helped build the Kinsmen Park. He was instrumental in securing the CN Station historic restoration.

He was an active member at St. George's Anglican Church. As well, he served on the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital Board.

These are just a few of his many achievements in his storied professional career.

Ken never did just his job. He spent 40 years involved in this community. He put himself wholeheartedly into everything he did; often at the expense of his family life.

The Chamber is very proud to recognize Ken Hodgins' outstanding involvement in the Chamber as well as in the community. This award, which speaks of the achievement of an individual, may be given out once a year at the discretion of the President and the Board of Directors in conjunctions with the Business Awards Gala Committee.

Eligibility Requirements:

• 65+ years old
• Retired or semi-retired
• Must have been either a member or employed by a member in good standing
• Currently involved or has been involved with civic, provincial or federal initiatives
• Is currently, or has owned/operated, or holds/held a valid commercial business license in the Fort Saskatchewan area

Winners must meet the following criteria for this award:

Contribution of Business Achievement by:

• A positive and influential impact on business development
• Displaying an above standard level of service and demonstrates business success and achievement
• Best reflecting the outstanding spirit and success of the business community
• Demonstrating outstanding leadership and innovation

As well as contribution to the community as demonstrated by:

• Showing an admirable record of community volunteerism/sponsorship/generosity
• Making an important contribution to the quality of lives in Fort Saskatchewan
• Providing a positive impact on community development
• Exhibiting a passion and dedication through active participation in the community