Our Mission

Wells Fargo Copper Cactus Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of innovative small businesses in Tucson.  The award program’s mission is to honor the most exceptional local small businesses and to encourage all businesses to foster a better working environment and more competitive marketplace for Southern Arizona.

Criteria and Categories

To qualify for a Copper Cactus Award, a business must be for-profit, in operation for more than two years, locally owned and operated with 250 employees or fewer and display excellence in one or more of the following categories:

Best Place to Work — Businesses that encourage growth, education and development for their employees through the workplace environment or employee benefits.

Business  Growth  —  Businesses that are unique and successful in the way they are handling growth or change in today’s marketplace.

Community Service — Businesses investing in the community through volunteerism, in-kind or cash contributions or support of non-profit organizations.

Small Business Leader of the Year — The Tucson Chamber of Commerce partners with Wells Fargo in presenting this award. The Small Business Leader of the Year is a manager/owner active in the day-to-day activities of his or her company and exhibits exemplary business conduct. The company must demonstrate sales productivity, and the owner must demonstrate leadership qualities by responding positively to challenges within his or her business, as well as be active in organizations and projects within the community.