Thursday, November 19, 2026
12:00 - 2:00pm
12:00pm to 12:30pm - Registration
12:30pm to 2:00pm - Program
Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort
5001 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
OUTSTANDING BUSINESSES WORTH CELEBRATING!
with 76 or more employees For 39 years the Sterling Awards has embodied the spirit of our organization by celebrating the people and organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and community stewardship, making Scottsdale one of the finest cities in the United States.
Over the years we have honored our city’s best corporate neighbors and brightest rising stars. The Sterling Awards recognize winners in four categories - Micro Business, Small Business, Big Business & Non-Profit. A brief overview of each award category follows.
- The Sterling Award for Micro Business recognizes an entrepreneurship or emerging business exhibiting success through innovation, creativity, and collaboration. (1-10 Employees)
- The Sterling Award for Small Business recognizes a company demonstrating success through innovation and professionalism, while contributing to the community. (11-75 employees)
- The Sterling Award for Big Business recognizes significant contributions to quality of life and the economic fabric of the community. (76 + Employees)
- The Sterling Award for Small Non-Profit honors organizations that deliver meaningful social, cultural, educational, or economic impact within their community. (1-75 Employees)
- The Sterling Award for Big Non-Profit honors organizations whose social, cultural, educational, and economic contributions reach broad constituencies through leadership, and community involvement. (76+ Employees)
Award Criteria
The Sterling Award recognizes significant contributions to quality of life and the economic fabric of the community. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Established for a minimum of three years
• Licensed as a legitimate business or hold a 501 nonprofit tax status in the state of Arizona
• Current member in good standing (for a minimum of 6 months prior to application) of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce
• 5 years since being awarded as an honoree in this category
Judging and Selection Process
The Sterling Award selection process is among the most credible of all business award competitions in the metro Phoenix area. Following submission, your application will be reviewed by a panel of six (6) judges who will individually score your responses to each question. Judges will use a 10 point grading system for each question, resulting in a cumulative score for each applicant. The three (3) applicants with the highest scores will advance as finalists. Current applicants are not eligible to be a judge. The second phase of the judging process will include an on-site interview during which the judges will visit the finalists’ place of business. Each finalist will have an opportunity to make a formal presentation, conduct a facility tour and respond to additional questions from the judges. This process will result in a second and final set of scores which will determine the Honoree in the category. Honorees will remain confidential until announced on stage at the Sterling Awards Ceremony. All finalists will be recognized at the ceremony along with all video presentations.
Important 2023 Dates and Deadlines (dates are firm and cannot be changed)
- Application Workshop - Thursday, June 18; 4:00pm-5:00pm or Tuesday, July 7; 9:00am-10:00am
- Application Deadline – Thursday, July 23, 2026
- On-Site Judging (Finalists Only) – August 12, 13, OR 14, 2026 (date will be assigned)
- In-Studio Filming (Finalists Only) - Thursday, August 27, 2026
- On-Site Video Shoots (Finalists Only) – September 2, 3, OR 4, 2026 (date will be assigned)
- Sterling Awards Ceremony – Thursday, November 19, 2026; 12:00pm-2:00pm
Application Instructions
Step One: Download a PDF of the application to use as a draft (Red links below).
Step Two: Complete the final online form (Blue links below). Pro Tip: Copy and paste all your answers into the online application.
Step Three: Submit your online application. When successfully submitted, you will see a new page that reads "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUBMISSION". Applications may only be submitted online, incomplete applications will not be considered.
2026 APPLICATION DEADLINE - Thursday, July 23
Questions about the application or the process?
Contact Stephanie Miller, 480-355-2704 or smiller@scottsdalechamber.com.
Download PDF Application (Practice)
Download and complete, then copy and paste into online application below.
Complete and Submit Online Application (Final)
Using your completed PDF, copy and paste into online application below and submit.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
12:00pm Cocktails
12:30pm – 2:00pm Program
$95 - Member Individual
$115 - Non-Member Individual
$1,500 - Copper Sponsor - 10 Tickets*
*Copper Sponsor includes: (10) tickets, verbal recognition at event; company name featured in sponsor video loop, event web page, event program and other material as appropriate
Hosted by:
7380 East 2nd Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
View 2025 Sterling Honorees
and Finalists Videos
Videos produced courtesy of:
STERLING SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR AVAILBLE
MICRO BUSINESS AWARD SPONSOR
SMALL BUSINESS AWARD SPONSOR
BIG BUSINESS AWARD SPONSOR
NON-PROFIT AWARD SPONSOR
PROGRAM SPONSOR AVAILABLE
COPPER SPONSORS AVAILABLE