The Annual CAMSC Business Achievement Awards Gala is the premier event on the calendar for the Diverse Supplier community. It is designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our suppliers and corporate members over the past year and provide excellent networking opportunities to all attending.
The 2023 theme is Legends – A Celebration Honouring Excellence in Canadian Supplier Diversity.
When Does CAMSC Business Achievement Awards Take Place?
This year, the Awards Gala takes place in Toronto on Friday, September 29, from 5 to 10 pm at one of Toronto’s few heritage complexes, the Liberty Grand.
Liberty Grand, Toronto
Keep reading to learn why you should join us at THE Supplier Diversity celebration.
What should you expect during the event (AKA – What’s in for me)?
CAMSC Business Achievement Awards Gala celebrates all corporate members and suppliers working tirelessly to advance diversity in the supply chain. Although we must pick eight winners, everyone working towards this goal should be celebrated. 
Stakeholders in the Canadian supply chain take the stage at Awards Gala 2022
To immerse the attendees in the theme, CAMSC brings a legendary speaker for the keynote as we roll the carpet for the remarkable Harriet Michel—former President of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMDSC).
Ms. Michel brought #SupplierDiversity to the next level internationally by creating NMDSC offices in over 28 countries and achieving corporate member purchases of over $110 BILLION annually from minority suppliers. She will kindly share her vast experience with us on a night to remember.
Networking Opportunities
People Socializing at Awards Gala 2022
CAMSC Business Achievement Awards is an excellent opportunity to socialize with your team (you can book seats or tables) and an incredible chance to mingle and get face-to-face time with corporate representatives and suppliers. Whether they’re peers, partners or if you have yet to speak to them, there will be multiple opportunities to forge business relationships and strengthen long-lasting friendships.
Don’t just take our word for it!
Hear why you should join us from Nadine Shah, Sr Strategic Sourcing Manager at CBRE.
And how about hearing from our certified Supplier and 2022 Award winner, Kathy Cheng?
Corporate Members are essential to strengthening Supplier Diversity too. Hear how winning 2022 Corporation of the Year Award impacted our proud Corporate Partner BMO:
Want the inside scoop on all things Awards Gala? Subscribe to our newsletter today!
Cocktail service at the Liberty Grand
The program
We start the night with a cocktail reception inside the monumental Liberty Grand ballroom, where you can enjoy why this elegant building built in 1926 was selected as one of Toronto’s few heritage buildings.
Moving on with the program, we’ll introduce some of the characters helping us to make this a legendary evening: Our MCs, Christina Rodrigues (CAMSC – COO) and Dr. Fred McKinney (Co-founder and Principal – BJM Solutions) and the keynote speaker, Harriet Michel.
President & CEO Cassandra Dorrington delivers the opening notes.
In our President & CEO’s words: “Supplier Diversity has been and continues to be a catalyst for positive change, encouraging ongoing engagement and collaboration toward a more inclusive and prosperous Canadian business landscape. Attendance at the Awards Gala dinner is a powerful way for you as a corporate member and supplier to strengthen your networks, celebrate achievements and demonstrate your commitment to a positive and changing supply chain. Join us at the Gala.”
Entertainment
Let’s not forget that this is a night to celebrate 🎉 and to bring the energy levels to the roof; we’re bringing two musical acts:
With over 20 years of professional experience in performing, arranging, producing and mixing, they are known for the contagious energy they bring to live events. Having played with Justin Bieber, Brandy, Deborah Cox, Mýa, Usher, Kardinal Offishall, Glenn Lewis, JRDN and many more, The Recipee‘s dedication to constant learning and staying current while being rooted in the origins of gospel, rock, soul, funk, country, jazz, reggae & blues ensure a thrilling act from start to finish.
Passion for West African rhythms and culture brought Friday Night Drummers together. They have brought their joy and love for music to many venues and international festivals, representing the Djembe culture of the ancient Mali empire.
Live entertainment and fresh local food are included in the tickets to ensure we’re all in the right mood for the Awards. Of course, wine is always a great companion, so you can expect it to be served during dinner. Cheers 🍷
Fancy something else? We’ve got you covered. There’ll be a cash bar at the event with plenty of options 😉
Attendees from both corporate and supplier fronts come together at the Awards Gala 2022
Following dinner, the highly anticipated Awards Gala begins. Prepare to be inspired as Harriet Michel takes the stage to share her journey and motivate all of us who fight for more Supplier Diversity throughout the supply chain.
Award recipients 2022
Are you ready to book your seat at the table? Click here.
Hotels
If you come from a different city and want to stay the night, we’ve got you covered!
Make it a fun weekend by staying in one of our partner hotels, conveniently located close to the main attractions of Toronto. Special prices are available, but rooms are limited.
Click on the links below to book at a special rate:
The Awards:
Eight awards are distributed at CAMSC Business Achievement Awards to recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements of Indigenous and diverse-owned businesses and Corporate Members, and the finalists have been announced!
Here’s a summary of the categories:
- Supplier of the Year: Awarded to an Aboriginal or Minority-owned business with over 50 employees who have successfully demonstrated growth in sales and employment, consistently providing high-quality products and services at competitive pricing, offering innovative solutions, and significantly delivering benefits through growth and development to their community. The award recipient will also be offered a scholarship to participate in a Tuck MBE program sponsored by General Motors. (CAMSC Certified Supplier Only)
- Small Business of the Year Award: Awarded to an Aboriginal or Minority-owned business with 50 or fewer employees who have reported exemplary overall performance in sales, export sales growth, customer relationships, innovation and significant accomplishments during the previous year. (CAMSC Certified Supplier Only)
- Technology Innovation Award: Awarded to an Aboriginal or Minority-owned business for utilizing the most innovative technology in delivering their product or service. The innovation/technology has contributed to the company’s performance in operations, design and market success while establishing Canada’s international reputation for innovation and excellence. (CAMSC Certified Supplier Only)
- Corporation of the Year Award: Awarded to a corporation that actively includes certified Aboriginal and minority suppliers in their procurement opportunities. Continuously explores and assists in the development of Aboriginal and minority suppliers, promotes Supplier Diversity and business development within their corporation and to their vendors, including other business organizations. (Open to CAMSC’s Corporate Member; Must not have won the award within the past three years)
- Procurement Business Advocate of the Year Award: Awarded to an individual who acts as a catalyst, is devoted to promoting Supplier Diversity through outreach efforts/activities and is respected by their peers for advocating Supplier Diversity in Canada.
- Collaboration Award: Awarded to a company/organization working collaboratively with CAMSC members, suppliers and other organizations to strengthen Aboriginal and minority business growth and facilitate Supplier Diversity.
- Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: The Emerging Entrepreneur Award supports the development of emerging diverse entrepreneurs to create and grow an innovative start-up with a potential social and economic impact in Canada. The Emerging Entrepreneur Award aims to honour and empower young entrepreneurs (under 40) who have implemented commercially viable and sustainable products or services with stellar results. This category is open to all businesses owned (51% or more) by visible minorities* who may not be CAMSC members.
- Social Good Award: This award is granted to a member who has demonstrated social impact and recognizes the social good movers in your organization. We’re looking for individuals leading social good strategies that have positively impacted the community. (CAMSC Certified Supplier or Corporate Member)
A night full of smiles at Awards Gala 2022
Did we convince you that CAMSC Business Achievement Awards Gala is THE event to join this September 29?
There are even more surprises for those who attend 👀
If you still have questions, please email us at [email protected], and the team will contact you ASAP 😉.
Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for the latest information on CAMSC and the Awards Gala.
See you there!