2025 Gala Infomation,
Nominees and Winners Below:
Business Excellence Awards
Celebrate Caledonia’s businesses, organizations, and citizens.
About the Business Excellence Awards
The Business Excellence Awards took place on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. They celebrated and recognized the outstanding achievements of Caledonia’s businesses, organizations, and citizens across multiple categories.
Nomination deadline was 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 2025 awards, nominees, and winners:
Barb Martindale Citizen of the Year
This award, renamed to honour Barb Martindale, the former Executive Director. This award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the community through leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to improving the community.
2025 Nominees:
Anna Frigault
Irvin London
Craig Peters
WINNER: Anna Frigault
Business of the Year
Honouring a business that goes above and beyond, serving customers with excellence, supporting the community, and showing strong, sustainable growth. This award celebrates a true leader that makes a lasting positive impact throughout Caledonia.
2025 Nominees:
Hair by Deeliza
Personal Care Clinic
Caledonia Orthodontics
Haldimand County Pulse
Wineguard Motors
Drip Hot Yoga
Heaslip Ford
On the 6 Designs
S and L's Cleaning
WINNER: Caledonia Orthodontics
Best New Business
This award recognizes a business that has been operating for three years or less and is already
making a remarkable impression. The winner shows strong potential for long-term success through innovation, customer experience, community engagement, and early business growth.
2025 Nominees:
Haldimand County Pulse
Hair by Deeliza
Mr.Boba
Wildflowersnorth Floral Shop
Roosts & Roots Flower Farm
Courtney Bognar- Rogue Healing Psychotherapy
Calm Beauty + Wellness
WINNER: Haldimand County Pulse
Outstanding Organization
This award recognizes an exceptional not-for-profit or charity organization that demonstrates excellence in leadership, service, and community impact. The recipient consistently goes above and beyond in fulfilling its mission while creating meaningful, positive change for the people it serves.
2025 Nominees:
Inclusions Developmental Services
Caledonia Lions Club
SOAR Community Services
Caledonia Badminton and Racquet Club
WINNER: Inclusions Developmental Services
Young Leader
Honouring a young person aged 15 to 29 who is making a meaningful difference.
This award celebrates emerging leaders who inspire others, contribute to their
community, and show a strong commitment to personal and collective growth.
WINNER: Latrel Hinzey
Best Place to Work
Open to businesses or organizations where employees and/or volunteers feel valued
and have a positive impact on the community.
2025 Nominees:
Calm Beauty + Wellness
Caledonia Orthodontics
Shavers Flowers
Creative Vision Optical
Strategy Construction Inc.
WINNER: Creative Vision Optical
Best Home-Based Business
This award recognizes a home-based business that demonstrates exceptional growth, innovation, and customer service while contributing positively to our local community. The recipient shows a strong entrepreneurial spirit and successfully operates a high-quality business from a home environment.
2025 Nominees:
Hair by Deeliza
Blush Beauty Bar
KTSG Automotive
WINNER: Blush Beauty Bar
Carol Ritchie Scotch Thistle Best Tourism Provider
This award recognizes a business that significantly contributes to the growth and vitality of local tourism. The recipient enhances visitor experiences, promotes the region, and plays a key role in attracting and welcoming travellers.
2025 Nominees:
Haldimand House
Grand River Dinner Cruises
WINNER: Grand River Dinner Cruises
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is a prestigious honour that recognizes individuals who have
made a lasting impact on our community. It celebrates a lifetime of dedication, leadership, and contributions that have helped shape and strengthen our local area.
WINNER: Irvin London
Agricultural Award
Honouring a farm, producer, or agricultural business that contributes significantly to our local food system and rural economy. This award celebrates those who work with dedication, sustainability, and pride in strengthening our agricultural community.
WINNER: Clark Company