Calgary White Hat Award Nomination Form

The Calgary White Hat Awards program celebrates inspiring Calgarians working and volunteering in tourism and hospitality who go above & beyond to make their guests' experience exceptional. In February & March, volunteers from the tourism community will interview all nominees in-person. Finalists and winners are announced at a live awards show and gala reception held later in May at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

Please review ALL eligibility requirements before proceeding with nomination as some requirements may have changed.

Nominees must fulfill ALL standard category eligibility requirements to be considered for a Calgary White Hat Award.

When in doubt, the decision of the Calgary White Hat Award committee will be final.

ELIGIBLITY REQUIREMENTS:

• All nominees MUST show a minimum of 1-year of employment with the nominating employer; EXCEPT for seasonal roles or those in the volunteer category.

• All nominees MUST live within Calgary or the surrounding area and MUST work within Calgary in their daily role.

• All nominees MUST be employed by a company or organization located within the designated eligibility area/boundary – Calgary city limits including up to 15km outside the posted city limits.

• Nominees can ONLY be nominated in one (1) category per organization. In the case of multiple nominations, the Calgary White Hat Award committee will use the first nomination as the accepted one.

• Nominations MUST be based on work examples from the previous calendar year only.

• Nominations MUST be based solely on tourism and hospitality-based tasks and roles.

• All nominees must attend an in-person interview during the assigned interview dates to be eligible for a Calgary White Hat Award.

• Every attempt will be made to accommodate any interview rescheduling request, but no virtual interviews will be offered.

• Should a nominee require additional assistance or services during an interview, this MUST be communicated clearly in the nomination.

• Should a nominee leave their place of employment prior to the Calgary White Hat Award gala, it will be at the discretion of the nominating employer whether the nomination will stand.

• If a nominee changes roles or jobs, after the nomination is submitted, the original role will remain as the bases for the interview.

• Individuals that hold higher level management titles are NOT eligible in any standard category UNLESS their role requires, they work in a frontline capacity for the primary function of their regular daily job. This includes, but is not limited to, the following roles:

  • Owners/Founders,
  • all C-suite roles,
  • Presidents & Vice-Presidents
  • GMs & Assistant GMs
  • Directors
  • Senior Leaders
  • Executive Chefs & Sous Chefs
  • Department heads

• Exceptional Service Leader category is limited to entry and/or mid-level managers, supervisors, team leads, captains only AND MUST SHOW THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

  • A minimum of 3-years with the same organization or location.
  • Has held more than one frontline service role within the organization.
  • A true Calgary Ambassador.
  • Has been nominated for a White Hat Award previously in a standard category.
  • Has completed the White Hat Academy online course.

Click here to download a copy of the Eligibility Requirements.

Click here to view the list Standard Categories.