Celebrate Business Excellence in the CBRM!
Annually, the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce celebrates and honours local businesses and business leaders who have demonstrated outstanding business excellence.
We recognize achievement with 12 Excellence in Business Awards and 5 People’s Choice Awards. Inductees are nominated within the community and selected by a judging committee comprised of 10 members from local business organizations through the CBRM.
Business of the Year
The Business of the Year Award is the pinnacle of Cape Breton Regional Municipality business success. The winner demonstrates significant business achievement, has sustained growth with a pathway for future growth and shows the potential to go on to become a true pillar in business on our island and in our province.
New Business of the Year
This new business has made an outstanding contribution to our local economy since opening its doors! The owner(s) of this business has an entrepreneurial spirit, good employee/employer relations and has demonstrated excellent customer service and/or product delivery.
Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year
Presented to recognize a local business leader who has demonstrated achievement in ownership or management of a business, or who has made significant contributions to the business environment in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year
This award recognizes a young entrepreneur under 40 years of age who dares to take risks, dive into uncertainty and overcome challenges with innovative solutions. This entrepreneur has created a company(ies) that has grown, and in turn, created jobs that boost the economy and inspire others with their vision, leadership, and achievement.
Innovation and Advancement Award
Innovate verb: make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.
This award is presented to a CBRM business that is pushing conventional boundaries and is disrupting and reshaping their industry or sector through achievements in bringing innovative thinking, creativity, concepts, products, etc. to the market.
Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year
This award recognizes the achievements of a business within the CBRM that has contributed to our exporting strength of our Island by achieving extraordinary results in out-of-province markets with their product.
Community Impact Award
This award is presented to a CBRM business that has been a leader in finding ways of doing business while also doing good for our community. They see community investment as a core part of their values and demonstrates community-mindedness.
Social Enterprise of the Year
This award is presented to a business or organization that has the mandate to address social, environmental, cultural and/or economic challenges within our communities through the sale of goods and services. This business or organization is making a positive impact within our community by addressing social needs and creating social change through business.
Workplace Excellence Award
This award recognizes a business that goes above and beyond for their employees and provides an outstanding work environment in the CBRM. The business clearly values employee development and retention and places a high level of importance on corporate culture, a happy and healthy work environment, and prioritizes diversity and accessibility.
Charitable Committee or Organization of the Year
This award is bestowed upon a charitable committee or organization such as, but not limited to, service clubs, associations, charitable organizations, employee groups, or people who have joined together to initiate positive change within the CBRM.
Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year
The Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding entrepreneur who was born outside of Canada and has started a successful business in the CBRM. This individual has overcome adversity, exhibits leadership both in their community and within their business, and has strong track record of business growth.
Economic Development Leadership Award
This award recognizes the best economic development programs, partnerships, marketing materials, and influential leaders in the CBRM.
People’s Choice Awards
Additionally, there is an opportunity to nominate an individual or business for the following People’s Choice Award categories. After the nomination period closes the nominated businesses/individuals will then go to a public vote later in the summer and early fall to determine the winners of the People’s Choice Awards!
- Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM
- Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM
- Favourite Community Project in the CBRM
- Favourite Commercial Social Media Channel in the CBRM
- Best Customer Service in the CBRM
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Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Inc
- 45Drives
Innovation & Advancement Award sponsored by Membertou Development
- Protocase Inc.
Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by CBU Shannon School of Business
- Breton Ability Centre
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership
- Athar Ahmad – Mian’s Restaurant
Community Impact Award sponsored Award by Coldwell Banker
- Community Cares Youth Outreach
Charitable Committee or Organization of the Year Award sponsored by Colbourne Cares
- Hospice Cape Breton
Workplace Excellence of the Year Award sponsored by HOT 101.9
- NSCC – Marconi Campus
Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Sampson MacPhee
- Mariah Battiste – Sundaylace Creations & Bling
Rose Schwartz Female Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Scotiabank
- Charlene Anderson – Charlene’s Nutrition Centre
Irving Schwartz Male Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Community College
- Bob Pelley – Innovacorp
New Business of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Island Folk Cider House
Business of the Year Award sponsored by Northern Contracting Limited
- NovaStream
People’s Choice Awards sponsored by Air Canada
Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM
- Emerald Island Gift Shop
Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM
- Commercial Street Deli
Favourite Community Project
- Coats for Kids
Favourite Thing to Do/Experience in the CBRM
- Two Rivers Wildlife Park
CBRM Citizen of the Year
- Alyssa Rose
-
Business of the Year
- Northern Contracting Ltd.
Rose Schwartz Female Business Person of the Year
- Shannon Forrester – The Forrester Production Group
Irving Schwartz Male Business Person of the Year
- Chris Robertson – Home Instead Senior Care
Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Andrew Morrow & Bryan MacDonald – Breton Brewing Co.
New Business of the Year
- Fired Creations Painted Pottery Cafe
Innovation & Advancement Award
- Cornerstone Research Group
Social Enterprise of the Year
- The Best of Cape Breton Gift Shop
Community Impact Award
- The Highland Arts Theatre
Workplace Excellence Award
- Seaside Communications
Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year
- Protocase
Charitable Committee or Organization of the Year
- Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation
People’s Choice: Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM
- Commercial Street Deli
People’s Choice: Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM
- Get Nauti
People’s Choice: Favourite Community Project in the CBRM
- Rotary Sydney’s Ribfest
People’s Choice: Favourite Thing to Do/Experience in the CBRM
- The Highland Arts Theatre
People’s Choice: CBRM Citizen of the Year
- Austin Chapman