About the Business Impact Awards
The Business Impact Awards are a prestigious recognition of significant contributions to celebrate the achievements of Canadian and other foreign or joint-venture businesses advancing commercial ties and business excellence across the Indo-Pacific region, including through meaningful activity in China. This initiative aims to highlight companies that have made significant contributions in various areas such as regional leadership, innovation, sustainability, product and service, branding and marketing, and ESG. The Awards is organized by CanCham Shanghai to highlight the positive impact business makes in our world today.
Eligibility
Canadian, international, and Chinese corporations are eligible, unrestricted and open to all applicants.
Key Dates
Sep 12, 2026: Nomination Period Opens
Oct 13, 2026: Nomination Period Closes at midnight (11:59 p.m. China Standard Time)
Oct 22, 2026: Finalists Announced
Nov 4, 2026: Business Impact Awards Ceremony, Award Winners Announced
Categories & Awards
Signature Recognition: Indo-Pacific Excellence Award
Criteria: This award recognizes Canadian business excellence in the Indo-Pacific, as demonstrated through exceptional leadership, integrity, and measurable impact across the region. It honours an individual or organization affiliated with a Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Indo-Pacific that has strengthened commercial ties, elevated standards of business conduct, and advanced practical cooperation between Indo-Pacific markets.
This is a signature recognition of the Chamber network’s role as an on-the-ground bridge between Canada and Indo-Pacific economies. The recipient should reflect the spirit of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy through action: helping Canadian businesses succeed abroad, building trust-based partnerships, improving trade and investment conditions, and supporting resilient, responsible growth across the region.
Nomination Form:
Innovation Award: Most Innovative Business Solution of the Year
Criteria: This award recognizes a company that has introduced a remarkable B2B or B2C product or service within the past year. The solution should stand out in its innovation, showcasing unique features or approaches that set it apart from existing market options. Additionally, the impact of the solution on consumers, either through its practicality, efficiency, or novelty, is a key consideration.
Nomination Form:
Sustainability Award: Leader in Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Criteria: This award recognizes an organization that has exemplarily integrated sustainability into its supply chain operations over the past year. The award highlights efforts in enhancing environmental stewardship, promoting ethical sourcing, and advancing social responsibility within the supply chain. Key factors include the effectiveness of sustainable practices, the degree of innovation in solving supply chain challenges sustainably, and the overall impact on environmental and social metrics.
Nomination Form:
Champion of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Award
Criteria: This prestigious award is presented to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and effectiveness in advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The recipient should show measurable progress in sustainable environmental practices, positive social impact—including workforce wellbeing, community engagement, and responsible operations—and strong governance through ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability.
Evaluation will consider the depth and breadth of ESG initiatives, their tangible impact on the organization, society, and the environment, as well as innovative strategies used to integrate ESG principles into business operations and long-term decision-making.
Nomination Form:
Best New Product of the Year
Criteria: This award is presented to an organization that has introduced an exceptional product within the past year. The product should not only be new to the market but also demonstrate a significantly larger impact compared to existing alternatives. Evaluation focuses on its innovation, design, utility, and the positive effects it brings to its users or the industry. The product should exemplify excellence in fulfilling consumer needs, offering unique features or performance enhancements that set a new benchmark in its category.
Nomination Form:
Best New Service of the Year
Criteria: Awarded to an organization that has launched a new or significantly enhanced service within the last 24 months, and that remains actively available at the time of judging. The service may target individual consumers, corporate clients, or both. Key evaluation points include demonstrable innovation in technical design, financial or economic model, or user experience, as well as the service’s effectiveness, scalability, and ability to address a significant unmet need or pain point in its market. The service should offer novel solutions, enhance customer outcomes, or substantially improve upon traditional service models in its field.
Nomination Form:
Most Impactful Branding and Marketing Campaign of the Year
Criteria: This accolade is awarded to a branding and marketing campaign that has made a significant and measurable impact over the past year. The campaign should have achieved outstanding results in terms of audience reach, engagement, and conversion rates. Emphasis is placed on the campaign's effectiveness in achieving its objectives, whether in terms of market penetration, brand recognition, or sales growth. The campaign should also demonstrate a strong connection with its target audience, leaving a lasting impression.
Nomination Form:
To Apply
To apply to as a nominee to the Business Impact Awards 2026:
1) Download the above nomination form for that award, and email it to:
2) Submit the form, and all supporting documentation via email to:BIA2026@cancham.asia
Deadline: October 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (China Standard Time)
Judging Process
The judging process for the Business Impact Awards is a three-step approach and is fully audited by an independent third party. This system is designed to eliminate any potential bias on the part of any judge or member of the advisory panel.
Step One
Once the application period closes, all applications will be reviewed by independent judging panels (consisting of 1 Lead Judge + 2 Panel Judges) in each of the seven award categories. The judging panels will shortlist a maximum of three finalists in each category at this stage - and all of whom will be announced by October 22 2026.
Step Two
The shortlisted finalists will then be invited to interview (via presentation and Q&A) with their respective judging panels, who will further narrow the selection down to the top Finalist.
Step Three
The top Finalist winners will be announced at the Business Impacts Awards Ceremony in Shanghai, on November 4 2026.
Questions?
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Business Impact Awards would not be possible without public and private contributions.
If your organization is interested in supporting the championing of the role business has on creating meaningful impact, then contact us at info@cancham.asia.
