The BC Economic Development Awards include four categories that reflect the wide range of initiatives, partnerships, and marketing efforts that strengthen local economies across British Columbia. Each submission is evaluated within its population tier to ensure fairness among communities of different sizes.

The categories are:

Entrants should select the category that best reflects their project's purpose, activities, and outcomes. Detailed descriptions and examples are provided in each section to help guide your choice.

Marketing Innovation Award

The Marketing Innovation Award celebrates outstanding marketing initiatives that support economic development goals within British Columbia's communities. This award recognizes creative, original, and effective marketing efforts that promote business attraction, tourism, investment, talent recruitment, or overall community profile.

What This Award Recognizes

Projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Community branding and rebranding initiatives
  • Investment attraction campaigns
  • Talent recruitment and workforce marketing
  • Digital marketing programs
  • Tourism-focused economic development marketing
  • Marketing events or activations
  • Print, digital, or video storytelling promoting economic opportunities
  • Websites, microsites, digital tools, or mobile apps that support economic development
  • New media initiatives, including social campaigns, virtual tours, or interactive content

Population Levels

Submissions are evaluated within one of the following tiers:

  • Under 10,000 population
  • 10,000–25,000 population
  • Over 25,000 population

Judging Considerations

Projects are evaluated based on:

  • Innovation & creativity
  • Quality of design and execution
  • Clarity of message
  • Reach and engagement
  • Demonstrated results or impact
  • Contribution to local or regional economic development

Who Should Enter This Category

Local governments, Indigenous communities, regional economic development organizations, chambers, DMOs, tourism partners, and consultants working on behalf of communities are all welcome to submit.

Community Project Award

The Community Project Award honours impactful initiatives that strengthen local economies through collaboration, innovation, and direct community benefit. This category recognizes projects and programs that address economic challenges, support local businesses, enhance workforce development, or contribute to long-term community well-being.

What This Award Recognizes

Eligible submissions may include, but are not limited to:

Business Retention & Expansion (BRE)

  • Community business visits or surveys
  • Business support programs
  • BRE action plans
  • Business walk programs

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Support

  • New business attraction or support initiatives
  • Incubator, accelerator, or business coaching programs
  • Shop local initiatives

Workforce Development & Talent Programs

  • Workforce attraction campaigns
  • Skills training, retraining, or upskilling initiatives
  • Youth employment programs

Investment & Economic Development Projects

  • Industrial land readiness or development planning
  • Local economic development strategies
  • Sector-based growth initiatives

Community Collaboration & Quality-of-Life Projects

  • Neighbourhood revitalization
  • Downtown enhancement initiatives
  • Placemaking and public realm improvements
  • Community engagement and regional partnerships

Population Levels

Submissions are evaluated within one of the following tiers to ensure fairness:

  • Under 10,000 population
  • 10,000–25,000 population
  • Over 25,000 population

Judging Considerations

Judges will consider:

  • Impact & measurable results
  • Level of community engagement or partnership
  • Innovation and problem-solving
  • Quality of planning and execution
  • Sustainability and long-term value

Who Should Enter This Category

Local governments, Indigenous communities, regional organizations, chambers of commerce, economic development offices, and consulting teams delivering community initiatives on behalf of clients.

Community Resiliency Award

The Community Resiliency Award celebrates projects that strengthen a community's ability to withstand, recover from, or adapt to significant disruptions. This includes responses to natural disasters, economic shocks, industry closures, public health emergencies, or other events requiring strong leadership, coordination, and innovative problem-solving.

These initiatives often demonstrate exceptional collaboration, resourcefulness, and long-term thinking, helping communities stabilize, rebuild, and grow stronger.

What This Award Recognizes

Eligible submissions may include, but are not limited to:

Disaster Response & Recovery Initiatives

  • Flood, wildfire, or landslide recovery programs
  • Business recovery centres
  • Emergency support programs for businesses or workers
  • Community recovery coordination teams

Economic Diversification & Transition Projects

  • Strategies responding to industry closures or major employer loss
  • Retraining or workforce transition programs
  • Economic stabilization initiatives

Preparedness & Mitigation Efforts

  • Emergency planning or readiness programs
  • Hazard mitigation work
  • Climate adaptation initiatives
  • Risk assessment processes that strengthen future resilience

Community Support & Social Stability Programs

  • Outreach and stabilization programs for vulnerable residents
  • Mental health and wellbeing supports tied to economic disruption
  • Multi-agency partnerships improving community capacity

Innovative Service Delivery & Collaboration

  • Regional partnerships formed to address shocks or disasters
  • New governance or coordination models
  • Cross-sector collaborations to maintain critical services

Population Levels

Submissions are evaluated within one of the following tiers:

  • Under 10,000 population
  • 10,000–25,000 population
  • Over 25,000 population

Judging Considerations

Judges will consider:

  • Level of response to a significant disruption
  • Innovation and problem-solving
  • Strength and breadth of partnerships
  • Measured or demonstrated community impact