WESK Gala 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 | 5:30pm – 10:00pm | Sheraton Cavalier, Saskatoon
A Night Amidst the Stars: Shining a Light on Women’s Success!
The WESK Gala provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding female entrepreneurs with one of six Entrepreneur Awards, while also celebrating the achievements of all entrepreneurs in our province. Join us as we celebrate extraordinary woman entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan over an evening of dinner, networking, and extravagance.
Know a deserving woman entrepreneur? Nominate them for one of our Entrepreneur Awards! If that deserving entrepreneur is you, you can skip the nominations and begin the application! More details on our awards categories can be found below.
Event Information
5:30pm: Cocktails and Optional Networking
6:00pm: Program Begins
6:30pm: Dinner Service
7:30pm: Entrepreneur Awards Presented
9:00pm: Program Ends
10:00pm: Event Ends
| Ticket Details | Gala Ticket | Gala Table (8) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Member Early Bird Pricing | $115 + GST | $1,125 + GST |
| Non-Member General Pricing: | $145 + GST | $1250 + GST |
| Member Early Bird Pricing | $92 + GST | $900 + GST |
| Member General Pricing | $116 + GST | $1,000 + GST |
*Early bird deadline is March 15, 2024 at 4:00pm
WESK Members: be sure to log in to receive 20% off!
| Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Award Nominations & Applications Open | January 10, 2024 |
| Early Bird Tickets Launch | January 10, 2024 |
| Award Nominations Deadline | February 23, 2024 |
| Award Applications Deadline | March 1, 2024 |
| Early Bird Ticket Deadline | March 9, 2024 |
| Award Finalists Chosen | March 20, 2024 |
| Ticket Deadline | May 6, 2024 |
About the Entrepreneur Awards
WESK is accepting nominations for five entrepreneur awards – Community Involvement, Indigenous Entrepreneur, Innovation, Growth & Expansion, and Resilience. As well, we will be hand-selecting one outstanding woman as the recipient of the Celebration of Achievement Award.
General Eligibility Requirements
- Business must be majority woman-owned (or in a majority-women led partnership)
- Be operating in Saskatchewan and continue to do so at the time of the awards presentation
- The business must demonstrate financial viability and sound potential for growth
- Not have won in the same category in the past year
- Not have anyone in your management, on your board, or in your employ serving on the WESK Summit Awards judging committee for this category
What would you need before applying?
- Business’ logo in a high-resolution png or vector format
- 1 headshot of the applicant
- 5-10 high-quality photos of the individual/their business. These may be be included in the finalist video, should the applicant be chosen as a finalist.
Time it takes to complete the application: 20-25 mins
Celebration of Achievement Award
This award pays tribute to an exceptional woman entrepreneur who has built a business in Saskatchewan of significant impact to the economy and the community. She is an inspirational leader and a role model for women in business. The Celebration of Achievement award recipient will be selected by the WESK committee.
- Have been operating for a minimum of 5 years (at time of applying)
- Has made significant contributions to the Saskatchewan economy
- Actively participate in community involvement initiatives
- A strong role model for women in entrepreneurship
Community Involvement Award
The Community Involvement Award is presented to the Saskatchewan woman entrepreneur that has been a leader in creating ways of conducting business that have a positive impact on the community. She has shown evidence of clearly expressed and widely communicated strategy, focusing on actions which demonstrate a responsibility to enhance the social and natural environments in which they operate. She truly looks out for the triple bottom line – people, profits, planet.
- Been in operation for a minimum of 3 years at the time of applying
- Enhance the quality of life for the community and attract people to the area
- Promote and add vibrancy to the well-being, health and development of the community
- Demonstrate attraction and retention of volunteers and/or staff participation
- Showcase the region through marketing and community events, and or programs
- Promote cultural activities, tourism and/or sporting events
Indigenous* Entrepreneur Award
The Indigenous Entrepreneur award is presented to the Indigenous Saskatchewan woman entrepreneur, which through a strong business concept shows plans for future growth and viability over the long term. Additionally, she demonstrates a strong understanding of her market and competitors and has a long-term commitment to the community.
*The Indigenous Entrepreneur Award is open to individuals who identify as any of the following: Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit).
- Business must be woman-owned and Indigenous-owned
- Demonstrate innovation in some or all of the following: Research & Development, Company Growth, Products & Services, Creative Business Initiatives, Sales & Marketing, Community Service
Innovation Award
The Innovation award is presented to the Saskatchewan woman entrepreneur who is pushing conventional boundaries. She is disrupting and reshaping her industry through ground-breaking achievements in bringing innovation to market.
- Be in operation for a minimum of 12 months (at the time of applying)
- Exemplify successful innovation
- Demonstrate vision in the development of new technologies, products, and/or services
- Demonstrate the ability to take risks
Growth & Expansion Award
This award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, is presented to the Saskatchewan women entrepreneur who has successfully developed and implemented a strategy that has resulted in rapid growth and increased profitability. She shows the potential for further growth and success.
- Be operating for a minimum of 5 years (at time of applying)
- Show proof of historical financial growth through providing consecutive financial records (provide as an attachment in application) These records will be kept in strict confidentiality and destroyed after the awards program
- Show proof of a future growth plan including projections of future growth (may include financial growth, number of employees, number of locations or size of current location, etc.)
Resilience Award
This award presented to the Saskatchewan woman entrepreneur who has shown strength and determination in times of change. She has shown an ability to shift and navigate her business in response to unexpected and difficult challenges, while continuing to maintain strong business operations.
- Been in operation for a minimum of 3 years at the time of applying
- Exemplifies strength and determination in times of change
- Demonstrates the ability to adapt a business model or shift the way business is completed in a way that will lead to success
- Experience some business success as a result of the adaptations made to her business
Thank you to our partners & sponsors!
