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  • BlueCross BlueSheild of Arizona Best Place to Work

    The Best Place to Work Award is given to a business that has honest leadership with a clear vision and identity. Employees want to know where the company is pointed, what the company believes in and what everyone is working toward. They provide “flexible” growth for employees and a culture of collaboration. Great places to work are open about how the company is performing and craves honest feedback from its employees. They hire passionate people. And most of all these businesses create a fun atmosphere.

  • CopperPoint Samll Business Leader of the Year

    One outstanding leader will be recognized as the CopperPoint Small Business Leader of the Year. To qualify, the nominee must be an owner/manager actively engaged in daily operations; have demonstrated productivity in sales, expansion, organizational growth and influence; routinely exhibits creativity and innovation in anticipating and responding to changing business conditions; and be meaningfully active in community service.

  • Business Growth (Sponsorship Available)

    This award is judged on a company’s gross revenue, employee and compensation expenditure growth and how the company has faced challenges. They lead by example and find new and inventive ways to reach and engage their workforce. They support their employees, grow their employees, and most importantly, listen to them. Through these practices their business succeeds in showing how their sales increased over a two-year period and how their management structure, work environment, along with their products and/or services led to their company’s growth.

  • Nextrio Innovation

    From professional culture to products and services – innovation multiplies the inertia of growth. Sometimes that energy can be scary and uncertain – propelling you into uncharted waters without a compass or a flashlight. Other times it brings breakthroughs and exhilaration. Always, innovation moves you from where you used to be to someplace in the future. This award honors businesses who are catalytic, innovative, maybe even scare themselves, all while moving forward.

  • Tech Parks Arizona Start Up of the Year

    The Startup of the Year winner will demonstrate a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, perseverance, innovation, creativity and determination. To be considered startup teams must show that their venture solves a true problem for a group of customers. They may have a tangible product, technology or customer service system. Moreover, they will show how their innovation contributes to the community and has or will have an impact worldwide.

  • Diversity & Inclusion Champion (Sponsorship Available)

    An outstanding small business will be recognized for its commitment to building a workforce that reflects the rich diversity in the communities in which we live, work, and play. They are places where all are encouraged and empowered to thrive as their most authentic selves. They nurture a culture of belonging and actively mitigate barriers to growth opportunities. As an effective and visible leader, they are setting the example for others to follow and making Tucson and Southern Arizona better every day.

  • Tucson Electric Power Social Impact

    This award recognizes a nonprofit group that has made a significant contribution to Southern Arizona. In 2024 special emphasis will be noted to those organizations who are making social impact in our local community. We define social impact as having a positive effect on people and communities that happens as a result of an action, activity, project, program or policy. The winner in this category will demonstrate how they improved the quality of life for the individuals they serve specifically over the last year through their programs, services, and effective management. Organizations must also show how they provide an excellent work environment and culture for their employees, as well as stay current with emerging trends in their field of work. Successful candidates will explain how their contributions positively impact the local economy, and how they communicate their success to the general public. Please be very concise and specific when answering the questions, as your submission is being compared against all other entrants in this category.

  • Employer/Employee Development (Sponsorship Available) (1)

    This award is given to a company that demonstrates leadership and can be considered a best practice in creating, offering and advancing internships, externships, tuition reimbursement programs and/or work-based learning programs. All companies have a shared responsibility to further develop the skills of their employees and these businesses are the true champions for people in today’s challenging and complex labor market.

  • The Shirley Wilka Perseverance Award

    The Shirley Wilka Perseverance Award honors a woman who started working at Tucson Metro Chamber as a high school intern in 1971 and continued to work at the Chamber for 50 consecutive years. This award was created to celebrate her legacy as well as to recognize other hardworking, loyal and resilient individuals.

Elevate Your Impact: Apply Now for Recognition in Excellence!

BlueCross BlueSheild of Arizona
Best Place to Work

Apply for the Best Place to Work Award if your business fosters honest leadership, clear vision, flexible growth, and a fun, collaborative culture.

Summit Application

CopperPoint
Small
Business Leader of the Year

Apply now if your business showcases financial stability, fosters passion, cultivates lasting partnerships, and maintains a positive reputation.

Summit Application

Business Growth

Apply now to showcase your company's growth strategy: Highlight revenue, employee development, innovative leadership, and effective workforce engagement for a chance to win.

Summit Application

Nextrio
Innovation

Apply to showcase your business's innovation in culture, products, and services. Recognize transformative moves into the future.

Summit Application

Tech Parks Arizona
Start Up of the Year

Apply to show entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, community impact, and global potential by solving real problems for customers.

Summit Application

Employer/Employee Development

Apply for recognizing leadership in creating and advancing impactful learning programs. Champions in today's complex labor market.

Summit Application

Tucson Electric Power
Social Impact

Apply for the Nonprofit Award, recognizing significant community impact, empowerment, and a commitment to employee and public well-being.

Summit Application

The Shirley Wilka Perseverance Award

Nominate someone for a legacy of dedication, honoring hardworking, loyal, and resilient individuals.



Summit Application

Inclusion Champion

Apply for Diversity Excellence: Small businesses fostering inclusive cultures, breaking barriers, and leading for a better Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Summit Application
2023 winners

Gibson and InterOcean Capital Best Place to Work

3 to 50 employees

  • Community Investment Corporation

51 to 300 employees

  • PVB Fabrications

CopperPoint Small Business Leader of the Year

  • Sonoran Stitch Factory – Erica Yngve

Business Growth

  • AZC Drug Testing / Oschmann Employee Screening Services

The Shirley Wilka Perseverance Award

  • Nextrio, LLC – Cathryn Murrow

Nextrio Innovation

3 to 50 employees

  • Delta Development Team Inc

    Tech Parks Arizona Start Up of the Year

    • Regal Fierce Media

    Tucson Electric Power Social Impact

    Up - $2,000,000 Revenue

    • Ben's Bells

    $2,000,000 - + Revenue

    • Higher Ground
      congratulations, 2023 Finalists!

      Gibson and InterOcean Capital Best Place to Work

      3 to 50 employees

      • Community Investment Corporation
      • OOROO Auto
      • SonderCare Behavioral Health
      • Pima County JTED
      • Tech Launch Arizona

      51 to 300 employees

      • Irish Beef LLC DBA Arby’s
      • Lloyd Construction Company, Inc.
      • KB Home
      • Pima Federal Credit Union
      • PVB Fabrications

      CopperPoint Small Business Leader of the Year

      • Anchor Wave Digital Marketing Agency – Lilly Darling
      • Pain Institute of Southern Arizona (PISA) PC – Dr. Eric Cornidez
      • Premier Auto Management – Scott Lehman
      • Sonoran Stitch Factory – Erica Yngve

      Sponsor Available – Business Growth

      • Critical Path Institute
      • AZC Drug Testing / Oschmann Employee Screening Services
      • Tomlinson Financial Group

      The Shirley Wilka Perseverance Award

      • Classy Closets of Tucson – Anna Marie Bowers
      • Nextrio, LLC – Cathryn Murrow
      • Tucson Federal Credit Union – Matthew Gaspari

      Nextrio Innovation

      3 to 50 employees

      • Delta Development Team Inc
      • Startup Tucson
      • Tucson Pops Orchestra

        Tech Parks Arizona Start Up of the Year

        • Paramium Technologies
        • Regal Fierce Media
        • TG Companies LLC

        Tucson Electric Power Social Impact

        Up - $2,000,000 Revenue

        • Ben's Bells
        • Casa de Los Niños
        • Science of Sport
        • Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce – “The Gaymber”

        $2,000,000 - + Revenue

        • Earn to Learn
        • Habitat for Humanity Tucson
        • Higher Ground
        • Interfaith Community Services

          Frequently asked questions about the application process.

          Q: What if my business is nominated in more than one category?
          A: You must select one category that suits you best and only fill out that one application.

          Q: I wasn't nominated, but I would like to fill out an application. Is that okay?
          A: Yes! Sometimes people miss the nomination deadline but they still want to be involved in this event.

          Q: What materials or supporting documentation will be needed?
          A: The applications have space for uploading up to three supporting documents. Adding them is encouraged but not mandatory. The choice of what to upload is up to the applicant.

          Q: Do I have to be a Tucson Metro Chamber member to apply or win?
          A: No. We welcome the entire Southern Arizona business community.

          Q: How are finalists selected?
          A: We have a panel of independent judges who generously volunteer to read and score the applications. The applicants with the top three scores become finalists (sometimes there are four finalists if there is a tie). The winner for each category will be revealed at the Copper Cactus Awards, presented by Wells Fargo, in person at the Casino Del Sol on Friday, September 22 at 5:00 p.m.

          Q: Can we buy individual seats, an entire table or become a sponsor?
          A: Of course! Click here to register online.


          No, only once to receive an application.

          Tips:

          You can submit a total of 7 pages including your application.

          Feel free to include articles about your organization, pictures, and any testimonials from employees and customers.

          Take time to answer questions thoroughly, include detailed information. (Many of our judges may not have heard of your organization before – Wow them!)

          AWARD CATEGORIES:


          2021 Copper Cactus Awards winners are eligible to participate but are required to be nominated in a different category from 2022.


          Copper Cactus Awards Alumni 1997-2022