Avenue Top 40 Under 40

Top 40 under 40

Every year since 1998, Calgary’s most exceptional young leaders have been recognized by our Top 40 Under 40 program. Based on hundreds of nominations from Avenue readers, the Top 40 Under 40 list is selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges. The final list represents a group of people under 40 years of age who excel in their chosen professions and who are shaping the city in business, the arts, community-building or the non-profit sector. In 2009, the project was also adopted by Avenue Edmonton, which now generates its own Top 40 Under 40 list for the provincial capital.

The Challenge

TEach year’s list is nearly 12 months in the making, involving careful deliberations. The project culminates in a special Avenue edition each November, featuring profiles and photographs of our 40 list-makers, as well as a signature event to announce the new Top 40 class, and two additional events during the year for the current Top 40 class and Top 40 alumni.

The Solution

TStarting each Nov. 1, readers have six months to go to avenuecalgary.com or avenueedmonton.com and nominate a Top 40 candidate. Each nominee is sent a form asking him or her to accept the nomination and answer several questions. When the nomination process closes at the end of April, Avenue editors pre-screen nominees, passing a long list to a judging panel of experts in business, finance, philanthropy, the arts and more — many of whom are Top 40 alumni. The judges rank each nominee individually, then gather to discuss nominees and identify finalists. Meanwhile, RedPoint secures a venue, plans and manages the Top 40 event, which consistently sells out.

The Results

The Top 40 Under 40 initiative embeds the Avenue brand into the consciousness of the cities it serves. Over its history, the program has paid tribute to the talents of a tremendous number of Albertans who have gone on to greater success on a larger stage. It has created a legacy of alumni who share a common bond. The magazines generate revenue by offering sponsorships to support the program, and businesses step up because the opportunities for networking and affinity with current and future power players and decision-makers are unbeatable.