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2025 Event Info, Nominations, and
2024 Winners Below:

Business Excellence Awards — Nominations Now Open!
Celebrate Caledonia’s businesses, organizations, and citizens.

About the Business Excellence Awards

The Business Excellence Awards, taking place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. They celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of Caledonia’s businesses, organizations, and citizens across multiple categories.

Nomination deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026

 
Who Can Submit a Nomination?
  • Any business, individual, organization, or church

  • Self-nominations are welcome 

  • Nominees do not need to be Chamber members
     

You may submit multiple nominations and nominate for more than one category, if applicable. Please complete a separate form for each nomination.

What Makes a Strong Nomination?

Our adjudicators want to truly understand each nominee. The more detail you provide, the stronger the nomination will be. Consider including:

  • Quality of products and/or services

  • Innovation that supports growth and enhances customer experience

  • Community involvement and giving back

  • A positive, top-class employee or volunteer experience


​Tell the nominee’s story — when they started, where they are today, and the journey in between.

We may contact nominees to verify information or request additional details such as photos or logos.

⚠️ Please review category criteria carefully. Nominations that do not meet eligibility requirements will be discarded. To celebrate new achievements, previous winners in a category are not eligible to win again the following year.

Awards Ceremony Details

🏛 Location: Lions Hall, 100 Haddington Street, Caledonia
🕠 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
🎉 Winners will be announced live at the ceremony

Award Categories Open for Nomination & Sponsor

Awards Not Accepting Nominations

The following awards will be presented and celebrated at the ceremony, but are not open for nomination:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by: Caledonia Lions Club

  • Agricultural Award (New for 2025) – Sponsored by: Grand River Wealth Management

Adjudication Process


All nominations are reviewed by an adjudication panel of sponsors and Chamber directors and scored based solely on the information provided in the nomination form.

Each nominee receives a score from 1 to 5 based on the overall quality and completeness of the nomination, including business excellence, innovation, community involvement, and workplace culture.

 

Scores are averaged and combined with additional points, including extra points for Chamber Members, external (third-party) nominations, and multiple nominations.

The top three nominees in each category are then reviewed by a selected committee, made up of the event planning committee and outside community influences. 

 

2025 CRCC Business Awards - Zeffy (500 x 500 px) (1).png

Here's a list of 2024 awards, nominee's, and winners:

Barb Martindale Citizen of the Year 
Sponsored By Suzanne Athanasiou - Desjardins Insurance

This award, renamed to honour the former Executive Director, is given to the citizen who has significantly impacted the Caledonia area. 

 

2024 Nominees: 

Bob Martin
Larry Fay 

Linda Jewel

Wilrik Banda

WINNER: Larry Fay

Business of the Year
Sponsored by Grand River Wealth Management

Involvement in community activities or service, showing business leadership, developing partnerships and contributing to Caledonia’s quality of life are important.

 

2024 Nominees: 

Strategy Construction
Caledonia Family Dental Clinic

Conquer Health and Performance/Crossfit Conquer

Dixon Cycle

Inclusions Developmental Services

Norine Charles

Red Star Portable
Wisdom & Grace Boutique

WINNER: Strategy Construction

 

Best New Business
Sponsored by Caledonia Scotiabank

Awarded to a business opened since 2020.

 

2024 Nominees: 

Abi's Hobbies

Revival Coffee Shop
Caledonia Orthodontics

Dixon Cycle

Hair by Chantel

Hair By Deeliza

K9 Principles Dog Training

Marry Me Mobile

Nick and Traci Burt Real Estate Agents

Norine Charles Mortgages

Wildflowers North

Ye Olde Squire Pub

WINNER: Caledonia Orthodontics


Outstanding Organization

Sponsored By Strategy Construction

All service clubs, religious groups and organizations are eligible. Must have been in service for at least one year and contributed in a positive manner, focusing on improvements and/or support where needed.

 

2024 Nominees: 

100 Women Who Care Haldimand

Inclusions Developmental Services

Caledonia Knight of Columbus 

Flora's Walk Haldimand

Lion's Hall Caledonia 

Special Projects

WINNER: Caledonia Knights of Columbus

Young Leader

Sponsored by Wally Parr Foods

Any Caledonia area resident under the age of 35.

 

2024 Nominees: 

Abigail Banda

Heather Mastromatteo

Jordan Richardson 

WINNER: Jordan Richardson & Heather Mastromatteo

Best Place to Work 

Sponsored by Ridgeview Realty Group

Open to businesses or organizations where employees

and/or volunteers feel valued and have a positive impact on the community.

2024 Nominees: 

Caledonia Orthodontics
Caledonia Studio of Dance

Libro Credit Union

Shaver's Flowers

WINNER: Libro Credit Union

Best Home-Based Business 
Sponsored by Haldimand Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Awarded to a business, service or organization without a physical store-front.

 

2024 Nominees: 

Abi's Hobbies 

C.B. Custom Cabinets

Cafecito House

TechKey.ca Computer Support Services

Liminality End-of-Life Doula Services

Collaborative Psychotherapy

LooksByLiv

On the 6 Designs

Norine Charles Mortages 

Haldimand Hot Yoga

Marry Me Mobile

WINNER: Liminality End-of-Life Doula Services

Carol Ritchie Scotch Thistle Best Tourism Provider 
Sponsored by: Libro Credit Union

A significant contributor to tourism in the Caledonia area.

 

2024 Nominees:

Caledonia BIA Santa Claus Parade

Jones Bakery 

WINNER: Caledonia BIA Santa Claus Parade

Lifetime Achievement Awards 

Sponsored by: Caledonia Lion's Club

A special announcement was made at the gala—the Lifetime Achievement Award has been revitalized and will continue to be a part of our celebration for years to come. This prestigious award honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on our community.

 

WINNER: Guy Ryan​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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