The Small Business Awards are back for the 17th consecutive year and will be held on Friday, October 24, at the Battle River Ag Hall in Manning!
Once again, the County of Northern Lights, and the Manning Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to present 5 awards at this year's event.
The County, the Manning & District Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Manning co-host this event.
Event Info & Tickets
Tickets for the Award Night can be purchased at the County of Northern Lights office.
Single Ticket: $50 ea. (inc. GST)
Reserved Table of 8: $400 (inc. GST)
Ticket Sales Run Wednesday, September 16 and end at 3 pm on Friday, October 16
This event is 18+
Entertainment
Shannon Laverty and Kristeen Von Hagen will be gracing the stage at the Battle River Ag Hall at this year's awards dinner!
Award Sponsors
The County of Northern Lights, Manning & District Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Manning sincerely thank our 2026 awards sponsors. Sponsoring awards helps the planning committee offset increasing event costs.
Business of the Year: InVision Chartered Accountants
Best Social Media Marketing: Alberta North Financial Services
Excellence in Customer Experience: Stone Appraisals
Business Leader of the Year: 780 Design Co.
Employer of Choice (nominations from staff only): ATB Financial (Manning)
Award Info and FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the awards and eligibility requirements.
You can submit public nominations for small business awards and staff nominations for Employer of Choice online from Wednesday, September 16, until 11 pm on Wednesday, October 14.
Please review the eligibility and nomination criteria below or on the Award Nomination Criteria Info sheet before submitting your nominations.
Note that nominations must include at least one sentence on why you are choosing to nominate in order to be eligible.
Sponsored by: ATB Financial (Manning)
Eligibility:
The nomination must come from staff.
Business must be registered with the County of Northern Lights or a Manning & District Chamber of Commerce Member.
Business must be located in the County of Northern Lights or the Town of Manning.
Award Criteria:
Nominations come from staff who would like to recognize their employer for the fantastic work environment they have created, including but not limited to;
promoting work/life balance
great benefits
community involvement
supporting employee growth and development
To nominate: Staff members can nominate their employer after the 'Enter to Win' details on the online form.
Sponsored by: InVision Chartered Professional Accountants
Eligibility:
Business must be registered with the County of Northern Lights or a Manning & District Chamber of Commerce Member.
Business must be located in the County of Northern Lights or the Town of Manning.
Award Criteria:
The business achieves one or more of the following:
Supporter of community events, programs, or services
Contributes to growing their business, product or services, and job opportunities.
Has taken positive action to invest in the community and incorporate social responsibility into their business vision.
Advocate/supporter for other small businesses, locally or regionally
Sponsored by Alberta North Financial Services
Eligibility:
Business must be registered with the County of Northern Lights or a Manning & District Chamber of Commerce Member.
Business must be located in the County of Northern Lights or the Town of Manning.
Award Criteria:
The business has been active for at least 6 months on one or more of the following:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok
The business has taken an engaging and creative approach to generating content that highlights its products, services, business operations, achievements, and/or community involvement.
Sponsored by Stone Appraisals
Eligibility:
Business must be registered with the County of Northern Lights or a Manning & District Chamber of Commerce Member.
Business must be located in the County of Northern Lights or the Town of Manning.
Award Criteria:
The Customer Experience Award is presented to a business that has shown that customer service is its top priority. The business does one or more of the following
Provides a welcoming and positive environment
Brings a personalized and attentive experience approach to their customers
Quickly adapts to changing customer needs and problem-solves
Takes a proactive approach to gathering customer feedback and suggestions
Sponsored by 780 Design Co.
Eligibility:
The business leader is a resident of the County of Northern Lights or Town of Manning.
Individuals can hold any role within a business or organization (owner, operator, manager, supervisor, dept. staff, manager, etc.)
Award Criteria:
The individual has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and is passionate about the success and growth of
their business
their employees
their community
and the overall business community
The Employee of the Year awards are sponsored by Manning & District Chamber of Commerce. The nominated employee must be employed by a business located in the County of Northern Lights or the Town of Manning.
Employers can submit nominations online from Wednesday, September 16, to 11 pm on Wednesday, October 14.
Nominations must be completed by the business owner, manager, or supervisor.
Businesses may only nominate 1 (one) employee, per department.
The nominee performs beyond the call of duty, demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to the business, and represents and contributes to morale and teamwork.
Winners will be announced at the Small Business Awards dinner on October 23.
Winners are selected by a committee comprising of reps from Chamber, Town of Manning, County, and Award Sponsors. If an award sponsor cannot commit to a winner selection meeting, the committee will select an alternate rep.
Nominations open Wednesday, September 16
Nominations close at 11:00 pm on October 14
Only eligible registered businesses are shown in the online nomination forms
Only completed nominations will be considered
Nominations must include at least one sentence about why you are nominating the business for the award
Employer of Choice nominations must come from staff
Employee of the Year awards must come from a manager, supervisor, or owner
Winners will be announced at the Small Business Awards dinner on Friday, October 23
