Calgary is preparing for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce’s (Calgary Chamber) Small Business Week (SBW), presented by Rogers Business, from October 21 to 25. This week-long celebration will culminate in the Calgary Small Business Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency, honouring the small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) that are essential to our city’s economic vitality.
There will be 24 finalists, with eight awards presented in the following categories:
- Servus Credit Union Small Business of the Year Award
- Grant Thornton Emerging Growth Award
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
- Air Canada Community Champion Award
- CPHR Alberta People’s Choice Award
- Bow Valley College Innovation Award
- ATB Financial Indigenous Entrepreneurship Award
- CPA Alberta Social Entrepreneurship Award
The Calgary Chamber encourages participation in SBW, noting, “There is a wealth of benefits for entrepreneurs. Participants can get inspired by hearing from business owners, expand their networks and gain valuable insights from expert conversations.”
Rogers Business proudly stands as the Small Business Pillar Partner with the Calgary Chamber. “We have been supporting businesses of all sizes and are committed to helping businesses grow and thrive here in Calgary and Alberta. Small businesses and their entrepreneurial spirit are truly the backbone of our city’s economy,” says VP of National SMB Sales at Rogers Communications, Nick Hurley.
SMEs are not just a fixture in Calgary; they are the very foundation of our economic landscape. “SMEs are the backbone of Calgary’s economy, accounting for approximately 95 per cent of the businesses in this city. As opposed to enterprise/global companies, small business owners live, raise their families and spend their money in Calgary. This inherently gives them a more emotional connection to the success of the Calgary economy and adds to the proud and vibrant business community that we have,” he adds.
Supporting small businesses is more than a local obligation – it is essential for maintaining the unique character of Calgary. Hurley explains that small businesses provide jobs for residents and are a vital part of what makes the City of Calgary unique. He says that the energy and finance sectors are a big part of the economy, but SMEs are the engine. “Having developed into a destination city to live and work, we all must support our SMEs to ensure the economy and Calgarians continue to thrive.”
CPA Alberta echoes Hurley’s comments and recognizes the impact small business can have on the community around it and believes it is important to support them.
CPA Alberta board chair Ruth McHugh says, “Small business owners are trailblazers and community builders; they are job creators and innovators; they are the backbone of an economy.”
She adds, “We are honoured to support small businesses through a number of initiatives, including sponsoring the Calgary Chamber’s Small Business Week every fall. As the presenter of the Social Entrepreneurship Award… CPA Alberta recognizes that, for many small businesses, profit isn’t the only bottom-line worth considering.”
“In the tradition of Canadian entrepreneurs like Ted Rogers and JR Shaw, Rogers Business is dedicated to fostering a robust ecosystem where small businesses can flourish. It’s important to connect with and grow the ecosystem here in Calgary and help ensure that small businesses succeed,” says Hurley.
SBW is supported by Rogers Business (Title Sponsor), Gowling WLG (Reception Sponsor), and Awards Sponsors including Air Canada, ATB Financial, Bow Valley College, connectFirst Credit Union, CPA Alberta, CPHR Alberta and Grant Thornton, with additional support from Aspen Films, BOOM Group and RedPoint Media.
As SBW approaches, let’s come together to celebrate and support the remarkable SMEs that make Calgary a vibrant and thriving city.
