The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction have a history that is longer than the 21 years the program has been in place. Alberta Economic Development and Tourism created the Awards in 1991 during a merger of the Alberta Export Achievement Awards and the Alberta Small Business Owner of the Year Awards.

In the first year, there were 10 awards presented. The original design of the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction logo was a 10-point star resting atop a pyramid. The 10-point star represented the initial 10 Awards that made up the Business Awards of Distinction and the “gears of industry”.

The pyramid represented the majesty of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains leading to the prairie heartland. The Government of Alberta presented the Awards in the fall of each year from 1991 to 1995. In 1996, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce took over the management and presentation of the Awards. In that year, the awards gala shifted to February, when there are fewer events on the calendar, to allow more people the opportunity to celebrate the evening.

To date, over 100 companies have been named Alberta Business Award of Distinction winners.

2013 Nomination Contest

2013 Photo Gallery