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 (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 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
- Community impact and corporate citizenship
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 strong and consistent performance over 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
- 2024: Jones Funeral Home
- 2023: BRC Group
- 2022: Georgetown Toyota
- 2021: Superior Glove Works Ltd.
- 2020: GBA LLP
- 2019: Artcast Inc.
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 consistent performance, resilience, and meaningful contributions to the Halton Hills business community. Nominees should have a solid track record and be actively engaged in local business life.
Nominees will be considered based on one or more of the following:
- Steady business growth (e.g. sales, job creation, market expansion, or future prospects)
- A clear strategic vision and effective planning
- Adaptability in the face of challenges or change
- Sound financial management
- A strong focus on employee development and/or customer satisfaction
All nominations should reflect a commitment to sustainable, long-term success.
Requirements
Eligibility & Criteria:
To be considered for the Business of the Year (1–9 Employees) Award, nominees must meet the following:
- Employ 1 to 9 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
- Demonstrate innovative and proactive leadership
- Exhibit strong corporate citizenship through community involvement or ethical business practices
- 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:- 2024: Eramosa Physiotherapy Associates
- 2023: Downtown Spa and Relaxation Centre
- 2022: Dynamic Bodies Studio
- 2021: Quinta Quinoa
- 2020: Strictly Dance
- 2019: Glazed Expressions
3 - Mayor's Rising Star Award
Description
Mayor's Rising Star Award
This award celebrates a local resident under the age of 30 who is making a significant impact in the business or professional world—either as an entrepreneur, leader within an organization, or contributor to a growing enterprise.
Nominees should demonstrate early success, a strong work ethic, and leadership potential. This may include launching or growing a business, driving innovation within a company, achieving measurable results, or contributing to the economic development of Halton Hills.
Nominees may be working in a business, institutional, or non-profit setting - such as healthcare, public service, education, or charitable organizations - and are recognized for their achievements, leadership potential, and promise as part of the next generation of Halton Hills community and corporate leaders.
Requirements
Nominees should meet several of the following criteria:
- Be under the age of 30 at nomination time.
- Demonstrates exceptional initiative and leadership in their field or organization
- Has launched, grown, or significantly contributed to a business, non-profit, or institutional initiative
- Achieves measurable outcomes (e.g. revenue growth, process improvement, community impact, audience reach)
- Drives innovation, new ideas, or meaningful change in their workplace or industry
- Contributes to the economic or social development of Halton Hills through their work
- Acts as a role model to peers and colleagues through professionalism, collaboration, and community engagement
- Shows strong potential for future leadership and continued success
- Earns recognition for their accomplishments, either internally or within the broader community
- Must not have won in another category for the previous 3 years.
This is a new category.
4 - Emerging Business of the Year (less than 5 Years in Business)
Description
This award honours a new and emerging Halton Hills business that has shown strong early success, clear growth potential, and a meaningful contribution to the local business community.
The recipient demonstrates what's possible when innovation, determination, and community connection come together — serving as a role model for other new businesses in Halton Hills.
Requirements
To be eligible, the business must:
- Have been in operation for 5 years or less (based on incorporation or official start date)
- Demonstrate measurable success — such as revenue growth, customer base expansion, brand visibility, or community engagement
- Show a strong foundation for continued growth and sustainability
- Stands out as a strong local example of early-stage success, purpose-driven growth, and community connection
- Not have received a Chamber award in any category in the past 5 years
This award celebrates businesses that hit the ground running, build trust quickly, and contribute to our local economy in meaningful ways — even in the early stages of their journey.
Recent Winners include:
- 2024: sadboy pizza
- 2023: Marissa Marie Artistry
- 2022: Farm Girl Fitness
- 2021: Balo Balloons
- 2019: M-Power
5 - Employee of the Year
Description
This award recognizes an individual whose outstanding commitment, performance, and attitude have made a significant impact within their company or organization.
They consistently go above and beyond in their role, contribute to a positive workplace culture, and support the success of those around them.
This award is best supported by a nomination from a supervisor, manager, or colleague who can speak to the nominee's contributions and dedication. In not-for-profit organizations, volunteers may also be nominated.
Requirements
- Exceptional customer service skills, either client-facing or within the organization
- Proactive and dependable — they take initiative and follow through
- A positive team player who supports others and contributes to a strong workplace culture
- Consistently goes above and beyond their job description or volunteer role
- Demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to the success of the organization
- Has not received this award in the past 5 years
- Has not received any other Chamber award in the past 3 years
Please note: To complete this nomination, we need a few more details from you. Once you enter your email, you'll receive a short follow-up form with a few questions for our judges.
Without this, the nomination cannot be considered.
We're unable to reach out to the nominee for this information, so it's important that it comes from you.
The follow-up gives your nominee the best chance to be recognized for their great work. Thank you for helping us shine a light on local excellence!
Recent Winners include:
- 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)
6 - HomeTown Hero
Description
This award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions have made Halton Hills stronger, more connected, and more vibrant.
Their leadership, community service, and collaborative spirit have supported meaningful change and inspired others to get involved. This recognition honours their dedication to making a positive difference — not for recognition, but because they care about where we live, work, and gather.
Requirements
To be eligible, the nominee must:
- Be a resident of Halton Hills or
- Represent a business, organization, or group based in Halton Hills or serving the Halton Hills community
Nominees will be considered based on the following:
- Has gone above and beyond in their actions and dedication to improving the community
- Has made a measurable or widely recognized impact on the lives of others in Halton Hills
- Has consistently contributed their time, energy, and leadership to meaningful local causes
- Demonstrates a strong sense of civic responsibility and community spirit
- Has not received this award previously.
- Has not received any other Chamber award in the past 3 years
Examples of qualifying contributions may include:
- Leading or supporting community initiatives or programs
- Volunteering time or expertise to local causes or nonprofits
- Mentorship, advocacy, or support for underrepresented groups
- Organizing events, campaigns, or partnerships that benefit Halton Hills
- Fundraising or resource-sharing efforts with lasting community impact
***Please note that for this Award we require the nominator (you) to fill out the background of why the nominee should be considered. Please enter your own email and you will be sent a series of questions that will be sent to our judges. *** - Recent Winners include:
- 2024: Sandy MacKenzie
- 2023: Nancy Wilkes and Nicole Walker
- 2022: Sarah Brophy-Platts
- 2021: Kori Arsenault
7 - Community Excellence: Business
Description
Honours a for-profit business that actively integrates community involvement into its business strategy — using its resources, people, or platform to make a lasting local impact.
This award recognizes businesses that see giving back not as a side project, but as part of how they operate and grow. Their investments of time, funding, or expertise have helped improve quality of life in Halton Hills and strengthened community well-being.
Examples may include:
- Ongoing partnerships with local charities or nonprofits
- Employee volunteer programs or donation-matching initiatives
- Sponsorship of community events or youth programs
- Using business offerings to support local causes or needs
Requirements
- Invests in the lives of others and actively contributes to making Halton Hills a great place to live and work.
- Has initiatives that demonstrate a sustained and long term commitment to improving the quality of life and community well-being in Halton Hills.
- Has policies and practices that demonstrate accountability and responsibility to the community.
- Actively supports existing community building programs, or establishes new programs and initiatives.
- Must not have won in this category for at least 5 years
- Must not have won in another category for at least 3 years
Recent Winners include: - 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
8 - Association of the Year: Not for Profit
Description
This award recognizes a non-profit association, charity, or agency that has made an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural or economic well-being of Halton Hills, is consistently responsive to community needs, delivers outstanding service to its beneficiaries, and communicates a well-articulated vision and mission in support of a strong and viable community.
Requirements
The association will have shown innovation and leadership, and achieved outstanding success in the not-for-profit sector.
- Demonstrating excellence and innovation in the non-profit sector
- Participation in the local community that has significantly benefited others
- Developing community partnerships that benefit the broader community
- Must not have won in this category for at least 5 years
- Must not have won in another category for at least 2 years
Recent Winners Include: - 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
9 - Innovation in Business Award
Description
This award recognizes a business or organization that demonstrates innovation and forward-thinking in a meaningful way.
It honours those who are improving how things work — whether for their customers, employees, or the broader community — by embracing new tools, ideas, or approaches.
Nominees may be recognized for:
- Leveraging technology or creative problem-solving to improve products, services, or internal processes — such as launching a new app, automating workflows, adopting e-commerce or CRM tools, streamlining operations through digital systems, or introducing new products in their industry
- Leading or contributing to initiatives that apply innovation to create long-term, positive impact within their industry or community
Requirements
- Have been in operation in Halton Hills for at least 5 years or serving the Halton Hills community.
Has created, invented, or implemented an innovative product, process, or business model that has led to a measurable improvement in one or more of the following:
- Revenue growth or job creation
- Increased productivity or enhanced quality
- Cost reduction
- Improved service delivery
- Must not have won in this category for at least 5 years
- Must not have won in another category for at least 2 years
Recent Winners include - 2024 Kids Inc.
- 2023: Habitat28
