Showcasing Calgary’s diversity and the contributions of extraordinary immigrants and refugees

A New Chapter for the Immigrants of Distinction Awards (IDA) 2026 is Underway!

Stay tuned for more details.

About the Awards

The Immigrants of Distinction Awards (IDA) is an awards gala dedicated to the remarkable contributions immigrants and refugees have made to create a strong and prosperous Canada. The annual awards ceremony uses the power of storytelling to recognize how Calgary’s mosaic of ethnicities, languages, cultures, and talents has enriched and positively shaped our communities

The 2024 Awards

The 27th annual awards ceremony was held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

The awards gala honours and celebrate the talent, excellence, and positive impact of immigrants and refugees in civics, academics, and industry. Click here to learn more about the award categories.

Date and Time

The annual awards ceremony was held on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Location

BMO Centre at Stampede Park in downtown Calgary.

Dress code

The event is a somewhat formal, but totally fun affair. Black tie, business or ethnic attire is appropriate and encouraged, but not required. Have fun and join as you are!

Award Categories

IDA 2024 has six award categories:

Achievement Under 35
Community Service
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Youth Achievement
Organizational Diversity

2024 finalists

We are thrilled to introduce this year’s exceptional finalists who have made significant contributions to our community. These individuals have shown remarkable dedication, resilience, and innovation, and we’re excited to celebrate their achievements.

Note: Nominations are assessed by an external committee of experts in each award category. This ensures an unbiased and independent assessment that operates separately from Immigrant Services Calgary.