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?
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Any business, individual, organization, or church
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Self-nominations are welcome
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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:
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Quality of products and/or services
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Innovation that supports growth and enhances customer experience
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Community involvement and giving back
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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
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Business of the Year – Sponsored by: Libro Credit Union
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Best New Business – Sponsored by: Caledonia Scotiabank
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Outstanding Organization – Sponsored by: Haldimand County Pulse
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Young Leader (Ages 15–29) – Sponsored by: Wally Parr
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Best Place to Work – Sponsored By: Haldimand-Norfolk Marketing
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Best Home-Based Business – Sponsored by: Haldimand Insurance Brokers Ltd.
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Carol Ritchie Scotch Thistle – Sponsored by: Best Tourism Provider- Sponsored By: Desjardins Insurance
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Barb Martindale Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by: Caledonia Community Foundation
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Trophy Sponsor: HD Mutual
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Wine Sponsor: Strategy Construction
Awards Not Accepting Nominations
The following awards will be presented and celebrated at the ceremony, but are not open for nomination:
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Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by: Caledonia Lions Club
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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.
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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