The Small Business Awards are Back for 2026!

Sponsored by:

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: 

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

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.

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

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.

Nominate Your Staff Member

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.