The Evening.
A reception, a ceremony that gives each award the time it deserves, and the hour afterwards where the actual business gets done. Registered and invited guests only, and capped at 150 people.
Friday, 20 November 2026
6:00 PM reception · 6:30 PM ceremony · close at 9:00 PM
Brampton City Hall Conservatory
2 Wellington St W, Brampton, ON L6Y 4R2
Registered and invited guests only. Capacity 150.
How the evening unfolds.
Doors open, reception
Cheese and wine on arrival, with the media wall open for photography. Finalists are photographed individually between 6:00 and 6:25, so arrive early if you are shortlisted.
Into the Conservatory
Guests move through for the ceremony. Standing and seated space throughout, with reserved seating held for finalists, partners and anyone who has told us they need it.
Welcome and land acknowledgement
Opening remarks from the IWEC founder, followed by the evening's host.
First awards
Three category awards, each with a short filmed introduction to the finalists.
Keynote
Fifteen minutes from an immigrant woman founder who has built something at scale. No slides.
Remaining category awards
The final three category awards, presented by partner executives and community leaders.
Global Roots, Canadian Success
The signature storytelling award, with its filmed journey piece.
Immigrant Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2026
The flagship honour, announced last. The recipient is not told in advance.
Celebration and networking
Music, photographs, and the part of the evening where the actual business gets done. Close at 9:00 PM.
Good to know
- Cheese, canapes and a selection of wines, with generous non alcoholic options
- Halal, kosher, vegetarian, vegan and allergen aware options available on request
- Dress: business formal. Cultural formal dress is warmly encouraged and photographs beautifully
- Fully accessible venue with step free access and accessible washrooms
- A quiet room is available throughout the evening
- Professional photography and film throughout. Opt out at registration if you prefer
Three things this evening is designed to do.
Introduce her properly
Each finalist gets a filmed introduction with her name pronounced correctly, her country named, and her business explained so the room understands what she actually built.
Put the right people together
The room is deliberately small. Finalists are placed near partners, lenders, buyers and press who have reason to want to meet them. Nobody is invited decoratively.
Send everyone home with something
Winners receive the trophy, professional photography, a written feature and a press release template. Finalists receive badges and assets they can use immediately.
Brampton City Hall Conservatory
2 Wellington St W, Brampton, ON L6Y 4R2. A civic building in the centre of Brampton, a short walk from Brampton GO and well served by transit and parking.
Open in Google MapsBy car
From Highway 410, exit at Queen Street West and continue to Wellington Street West. Municipal parking is available in the surrounding lots and structures. Allow extra time between 4:30 and 6:00 PM.
By transit
Brampton GO Station is roughly a fifteen minute walk. Several Brampton Transit and Zum routes stop within a few minutes of the venue on Queen Street West.
From downtown Toronto
Around 45 to 60 minutes by car depending on traffic, or roughly an hour by GO train from Union to Brampton plus the walk. Rideshare is readily available at close.
From Pearson Airport
Around 20 to 25 minutes by car, which is convenient for finalists and partners travelling in for the evening.
Accessibility
Step free access throughout, accessible washrooms, reserved accessible seating and space for wheelchairs. A quiet room is available all evening. Tell us what you need when you register and we will confirm the arrangement with you personally rather than assume.
Registered and invited guests only.
This is not a public event and there is nothing to buy. Places are allocated by the awards team, and the room is capped at 150 people so that the evening stays useful for the people in it.
Finalists and nominees
Every shortlisted finalist receives a place, with a guest place alongside it. Nominees who are not shortlisted are invited while capacity allows.
Partners and sponsors
Places are included with every sponsorship package, allocated by tier and confirmed once your agreement is signed.
The IWEC community
Members and community partners may request a place using the form here. Requests are confirmed in the order they arrive.
Press
Media accreditation is handled separately through the press page and closes two weeks before the evening.
At a glance
| Date | Friday, 20 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Doors | 6:00 PM |
| Ceremony | 6:30 PM |
| Close | 9:00 PM |
| Dress | Business formal, cultural formal welcome |
| Refreshments | Cheese, canapes and wine |
| Capacity | 150 guests |
| Cost | No charge. Places are allocated, not sold. |
| Registration closes | 13 November |
Nominations Open
Someone you know has built something remarkable and has never once been asked to tell the story. Take fifteen minutes and put her forward.
