Please note that only one nomination per business/individual per category is required to be considered.
1 - Business of the Year: 10+ Employees
Description
Business of the Year: Large (10+ Employees)
Please note that businesses must be a member in good standing of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce for the nomination to be approved. Please check here before nominating.
https://business.haltonhillschamber.on.ca/member-directory
This award celebrates a well-established business with 10 or more full time employees that has demonstrated strong leadership, consistent performance, and meaningful contributions to the Halton Hills business community.
Nominees should show a track record of growth and stability, combined with a commitment to excellence across operations - from customer service and employee engagement to financial management and community involvement.
Judges will consider factors such as:
Business growth and long-term sustainability
Leadership and strategic direction
Innovation and adaptability
Positive workplace culture and staff development
Overall business excellence and reputation
This award honours businesses that set a strong example for others - contributing to both economic prosperity and the fabric of Halton Hills.
Requirements
Eligibility & Criteria:
To be considered for this award, nominees must meet the following:
- Employ 10 or more full-time equivalent staff
- Have been in business for more than 5 years
- Be a current member of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
- see below
- Be well-established and actively engaged in the Halton Hills business community
- Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and a postive reputation within the business community
- Demonstrate sustained business performance through growth, operational excellence, customer satisfaction, financial stability, or industry leadership over a period of time
- Show one or more of the following:
- Steady business growth (e.g. sales, job creation, or future prospects)
- A clear strategic vision and strong leadership
- Adaptability during times of change
- Sound financial practices
- A commitment to staff development and customer satisfaction
- Must not have won this category in the past 5 years
- Must not have received any other Chamber award in the past 3 years
This award recognizes a business that has built a strong foundation for long-term success while continuing to grow, evolve, and contribute to the Halton Hills business community.
To view a listing of our members, please visit our directory
Recent Winners include
- 2025: Bennett Village
- 2024: Jones Funeral Home
- 2023: BRC Group
- 2022: Georgetown Toyota
- 2021: Superior Glove Works Ltd.
- 2020: GBA LLP
- 2019: Artcast Inc.
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Business Success & Overall Excellence | 20.0% |
| Growth and Evolution | 20.0% |
| Strategic Direction and Adaptability | 20.0% |
| Workplace and Employee Development | 15.0% |
| Customer Experience and Reputation | 10.0% |
| Achievement and Impact | 10.0% |
| Chamber Membership | 5.0% |
2 - Business of the Year: 1-9 Employees
Description
Please note that businesses must be a member in good standing of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce for the nomination to be approved. Please check here before nominating.
https://business.haltonhillschamber.on.ca/member-directory
This award recognizes a small business that has demonstrated strong performance, resilience and a clear commitment to long-term success.
Nominees should show a solid track record and demonstrate excellence in areas such as:
• Business growth and evolution
• Clear direction and effective decision-making
• Adaptability in response to challenges, changing markets or new opportunities
• Strong customer relationships and reputation
• A positive approach to employees, contractors or others who contribute to the business
• Meaningful achievements and milestones
Nominees should demonstrate how their business has continued to grow, adapt and build a strong foundation for the future.
Requirements
Eligibility & Criteria:
To be considered for the Business of the Year (1–9 Employees) Award, nominees must meet the following:
Nominees must:
• Employ 1–9 full-time equivalent employees
• Have been in business for more than five years
• Be a current member of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Demonstrate strong business leadership and a commitment to long-term success
• Operate in Halton Hills or demonstrate a clear connection to and service within the Halton Hills community
- Must not have won this category in the past 5 years
- Must not have received any other Chamber award in the past 3 years
- To view a listing of our members please visit our directory
- Recent Winners include:
- 2025: Bedal Accounting Professional Corp.
- 2024: Eramosa Physiotherapy Associates
- 2023: Downtown Spa and Relaxation Centre
- 2022: Dynamic Bodies Studio
- 2021: Quinta Quinoa
- 2020: Strictly Dance
- 2019: Glazed Expressions
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Business Success and Excellence | 20.0% |
| Growth and Evolution | 20.0% |
| Strategy and Adaptability | 20.0% |
| Workplace and People | 15.0% |
| Customer Experience and Reputation | 10.0% |
| Achievements and Impact | 10.0% |
| Halton Hills Chamber Member | 5.0% |
3 - Future Leader Award
Description
Future Leader Award
Nominees should demonstrate:
• Initiative and leadership beyond what would normally be expected at their career stage
• Measurable achievements or results
• Contributions to the growth or success of a business, organization or initiative
• Innovation, problem-solving or a willingness to challenge how things are done
• Professionalism, collaboration and a strong work ethic
• Clear potential for continued leadership and success
This is intended to recognize working professionals, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders who are actively building their careers, businesses, or leadership experience through meaningful professional or community involvement. Leadership demonstrated through charitable, volunteer, or non-profit work is also welcome.
Requirements
Nominees must:
• Be under the age of 30 at the nomination deadline
• Be actively employed, self-employed, operating a business, or holding a meaningful leadership role within an organization
• Live, work or operate a business in Halton Hills, or demonstrate a strong professional/organization connection to the Halton Hills community
• Have demonstrated meaningful achievement, leadership or business contribution
• Not have won another Halton Hills Chamber Business Excellence Award category within the previous three years
Recent Winners include:
- 2025: Mik Vuksinic - Andrews Farm Market & Winery
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Leadership and Initiative | 30.0% |
| Achievement & Results | 28.0% |
| Halton Hills Connection | 10.0% |
| Role Model & Future Potential | 10.0% |
| Halton Hills Chamber Member | 2.0% |
4 - Emerging Business of the Year (less than 5 Years in Business)
Description
This award recognizes a business in its first five years of operation that has demonstrated strong early success and built a solid foundation for future growth.
Nominees should show clear progress since launching, whether through customer or revenue growth, new products or services, increased market presence, operational development, partnerships, or other measurable achievements.
The award celebrates businesses that have established themselves quickly, responded well to opportunities and challenges, and show strong potential for continued success.
Requirements
Nominees must:
• Have been in operation for five years or less as of the nomination deadline, based on incorporation or official business start date
• Operate in Halton Hills or demonstrate a clear connection to and service within the Halton Hills community
• Demonstrate measurable early-stage progress or success
• Show a strong foundation for continued growth and sustainability
• Not have received a Halton Hills Chamber Business Excellence Award in any category within the previous five years
Recent Winners include:
- 2025: Foliage
- 2024: sadboy pizza
- 2023: Marissa Marie Artistry
- 2022: Farm Girl Fitness
- 2021: Balo Balloons
- 2019: M-Power
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Growth & Early Success | 25.0% |
| Business Foundation & Future Potential | 20.0% |
| Strategy & Adaptability | 20.0% |
| Differentiation & Market Position | 15.0% |
| Achievements & Impact | 13.0% |
| Halton Hills Chamber Member | 2.0% |
5 - Employee of the Year
Description
Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form. We do not contact the nominee for this information, so all responses have to come from the person making the nomination. After entering your email address, you'll receive a short follow-up form with a few questions for our judges. The form should take no more than 30 minutes to complete, and bullet-point responses are welcome.
This award recognizes an employee or volunteer whose performance, attitude and commitment have made a meaningful difference within their organization.
The nominee consistently demonstrates initiative, reliability and professionalism, goes beyond what is expected in their role, and contributes positively to the people around them. Their work may be customer-facing or behind the scenes, but their contribution has a clear impact on their team, customers, clients or organization. In not-for-profit organizations, volunteers may also be nominated.
Requirements
Nominees should demonstrate:
• Consistently strong performance and a commitment to doing their job well
• Initiative, dependability and a willingness to take responsibility
• A positive approach to teamwork and supporting others
• Contributions that go beyond the normal expectations of their role
• Strong service to customers, clients, colleagues or other stakeholders
• Professionalism and a positive contribution to workplace culture
• A measurable or clearly demonstrated impact on the success of their organization
Nominees must:
• Be a current employee or, in the case of a not-for-profit organization, an active volunteer
• Not have received the Employee of the Year Award within the previous five years
• Not have received another Halton Hills Chamber Business Excellence Award within the previous three years
Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form.
A little more information is required for the nomination to be considered. After entering your email address, you'll receive a short follow-up form with a few questions for our judges.
Please note that the follow-up form must be completed for the nomination to be considered. We do not contact the nominee for this information, so all responses should come from the person making the nomination.
The form should take no more than 30 minutes to complete, and bullet-point responses are welcome.
- 2025: Jacob Sherman - Brooks Heating & Air
- 2024: Maria Cook - Fieldstone Realty
- 2023: Jill Dales - Superior Glove Works
- 2022: Dana Sheppard - Epic Resurfacing
- 2021: Lindsay Petch - Paul C. Armstrong Insurance Brokers
- 2020: Andrea Dubravsky - Genuweb (formerly Corporate Citizen of the Year Award)
- 2019: Dr. Matt Bradbury - One Life Family Chiropractic (formerly Corporate Citizen of the Year Award)
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Impact on the Organization, Customers or Community | 30.0% |
| Leadership & Initiative | 20.0% |
| Teamwork & Collaboration | 15.0% |
| Adaptability and Growth | 10.0% |
| Consistency and Reliability | 8.0% |
| Service Excellence | 10.0% |
| Halton Hills Chamber Member | 2.0% |
| Supporting Materials | 5.0% |
6 - HomeTown Hero
Description
This award recognizes an individual whose actions, leadership or service have made a meaningful difference in Halton Hills.
The nominee may be a volunteer, community leader, employee, business owner or resident who has stepped up to support others, respond to a local need, bring people together or help make our community a better place to live, work and gather.
Their contribution may be through years of dedicated service or through a specific initiative or action that created significant local impact.
This award celebrates someone who contributes because they care about Halton Hills and the people in it, often without seeking recognition for themselves.
Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form. Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form. Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form. Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form.
Requirements
Before you nominate
?
Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form.
The Hometown Hero nomination must be completed by the person making the nomination. We do not ask the nominee to complete questions about themselves.
The Hometown Hero nomination must be completed by the person making the nomination. We do not ask the nominee to complete questions about themselves.
After submitting your initial nomination, you'll receive a short follow-up form asking you to tell our judges more about the nominee and the difference they have made.
After submitting your initial nomination, you'll receive a short follow-up form asking you to tell our judges more about the nominee and the difference they have made.
The form should take no more than 30 minutes, and bullet-point responses are welcome.
The form should take no more than 30 minutes, and bullet-point responses are welcome.
Nominees must:
• Be a resident of Halton Hills, or work or volunteer with a business, organization or group based in or serving Halton Hills
• Have gone above and beyond through their actions, service or commitment to the community
• Have made a meaningful and demonstrated difference in the lives of others in Halton Hills
• Show a strong commitment to community service, leadership or civic involvement
• Not have previously received the Hometown Hero Award
• Not have received another Halton Hills Chamber Business Excellence Award within the previous three years
Contributions may include:
• Leading or supporting community initiatives or programs
• Volunteering time, skills or expertise to local causes or non-profits
• Mentoring, advocacy or supporting individuals or groups in the community
• Organizing events, campaigns or partnerships that benefit Halton Hills
• Fundraising, resource-sharing or other efforts that create lasting local impact
• Stepping forward to address a community need or support others during a challenging time
Important information for nominators
Please do not submit a nomination unless you are willing to complete the short follow-up form.
For the Hometown Hero Award, the person making the nomination is responsible for providing the information that will be reviewed by our judges. We do not ask the nominee to complete the submission themselves.
Please enter your own email address when nominating. You will then receive a short follow-up form asking you to tell us more about the nominee, their contributions and the difference they have made.
The follow-up form must be completed for the nomination to be considered. Bullet-point responses are welcome.?
- Recent Winners include:
- 2025: Doug Penrice
- 2024: Sandy MacKenzie
- 2023: Nancy Wilkes and Nicole Walker
- 2022: Sarah Brophy-Platts
- 2021: Kori Arsenault
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Community Impact | 30.0% |
| Leadership & Collaboration | 20.0% |
| Lasting Impact | 15.0% |
| Dedication & Community Commitment | 20.0% |
| Inspiration & Community Influence | 10.0% |
| Supporting Materials | 5.0% |
7 - Community Excellence: Business
Description
This award recognizes a for-profit business that has made community involvement a meaningful part of how it operates.
Nominees use their people, resources, expertise or platform to support local causes, strengthen community connections and contribute to the well-being of Halton Hills.
The award honours businesses that demonstrate a sustained commitment to giving back, whether through partnerships, volunteerism, financial support, in-kind contributions or other forms of community involvement.
Examples may include:
• Ongoing partnerships with local charities or non-profit organizations
• Employee volunteer programs or opportunities to give back
• Sponsorship or support of community events, programs or youth initiatives
• Donation-matching or charitable giving programs
• Providing products, services, expertise or space to support local needs
•Using the business's platform or reach to raise awareness or resources for local causes
Requirements
Nominees must:
• Be a for-profit business operating in, based in, or serving Halton Hills
• Demonstrate a sustained commitment to supporting the Halton Hills community
• Use business resources, people, expertise, funding, products, services or partnerships to create positive local impact
• Show that community involvement is ongoing rather than limited to a single event or one-time contribution
• Not have received the Community Excellence: Business Award within the previous five years
• Not have received another Halton Hills Chamber Business Excellence Award within the previous three years
Nominees should demonstrate:
• Meaningful investment in people, causes or initiatives that strengthen Halton Hills
• Ongoing support for community-building programs, charities, non-profits or local initiatives
• Responsible and thoughtful community involvement
• Evidence that their contributions have improved quality of life or community well-being
• A willingness to build partnerships, support existing efforts or create new opportunities where a need exists
?Recent Winners include:
- 2025: Mountainview Residence
- 2024: Elizabeth's Fashions
- 2023: Expedia Cruises Georgetown
- 2022: Monckton Real Estate Group
- 2021: Williams Mill Creative Arts Studios
- 2020: Superior Gloveworks Ltd.
- 2019: The Royal Academy of the Arts
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Community Investment & Impact | 35.0% |
| Community Commitment | 25.0% |
| Sustained Commitment | 20.0% |
| Partnerships & Community Connections | 15.0% |
| Chamber Membership | 5.0% |
8 - Organization of the Year: Not for Profit
Description
This award recognizes a non-profit organization, charity or community agency that has made a meaningful contribution to the social, cultural or economic well-being of Halton Hills.
Nominees demonstrate a clear purpose, respond thoughtfully to community needs and provide strong service to the people they support. They show effective leadership, responsible use of resources and a commitment to building a stronger community.
The award honours organizations that create positive impact through their programs, services, partnerships, advocacy or community engagement.
Requirements
Nominees must:
• Be a registered non-profit organization, charity, association or community agency serving Halton Hills
• Demonstrate a clear and meaningful contribution to the Halton Hills community
• Show strong leadership and an ability to respond to changing community needs
• Demonstrate effective use of resources, programs or services to support the people they serve
• Not have received the Association of the Year: Not-for-Profit Award within the previous five years
• Not have received another Halton Hills Chamber Business Excellence Award within the previous two years
Nominees should demonstrate:
• Strong results in delivering programs, services or support
• Innovation or new approaches that have improved how they serve their community
• Meaningful participation in Halton Hills that has benefited residents, businesses or community groups
• Effective partnerships with other organizations, agencies, businesses or community groups
• A clear mission and evidence that the organization is making progress toward it
• Responsible stewardship of resources and a strong foundation for continued impact?
- Recent Winners Include:
- 2025: The Ironwood Project
- 2024: Halton Women's Place
- 2023: Sports for Fitness Youth Club
- 2022: Halton Learning Foundation
- 2021: Distress Centre Halton
- 2020: Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills
- 2019: Food4Kids Halton
Please note: Any photos, videos, award information, media coverage, or other materials you provide may be featured in finalist promotional materials, presentations, and social media content.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Community Impact & Results | 35.0% |
| Innovation & Responsiveness | 20.0% |
| Partnerships & Community Connection | 20.0% |
| Governance, Stewardship & Sustainability | 20.0% |
| Halton Hills Chamber Member | 5.0% |
