It’s the most wonderful time of the year – nominations are now open for the 2020 Small Business BC Awards!

For the last 17 years, the Small Business BC Awards have recognized the invaluable contributions and achievements of BC small business owners. In our province, small businesses are an essential part of everyday life. In fact, 98 per cent of all businesses operating in British Columbia are classified as small businesses.

These entrepreneurs form the backbone of our economy, employing more than one million people while also delivering essential services in our communities. Our Awards, sponsored by Canada Post, recognize the hard work of these individuals that make our province such an amazing place to live, work and play through their efforts.

Nominating your business, or a business you love, is easy and there are plenty of amazing benefits. Nominated businesses can leverage the unique marketing and PR opportunities the Awards present. And, if they win, they’ll receive a cash prize of $1,500 and an all-access pass to Small Business BC education and experts for one whole year.

Small Business BC Award Categories

In 2020, we’re offering eight award categories that cover the entire spectrum of the business world. Whether you’ve been operating for years, or are still in the planning stages, there’s an awards category for you. The categories this year are as follows:

• Premier’s People’s Choice
• Best Community Impact
• Best Company
• Best Employer
• Best Immigrant Entrepreneur
• Best Innovation
• Best Marketer
• Best Youth Entrepreneur

Open for Business Awards

For the third year in a row, we will be joined by the Open for Business Awards. The Open for Business Awards recognize and celebrate communities that have cultivated a business-friendly culture that allows small business to flourish. These Awards provide an important platform for local government to learn and share Best Practices, while showcasing winning initiatives that have contributed to the success of local businesses. Managed and delivered by the Small Business Roundtable Secretariat, the Open for Business Awards encompass three categories:

• Small Communities (<5,000 residents)
• Medium Communities (5,000 to 25,000 residents)
• Large Communities (>25,000 residents)