Celebrate Business Excellence in the CBRM!
The anticipation has been building, and the moment has finally arrived to reveal the exceptional individuals and businesses that have emerged as finalists for the 33rd Excellence in Business Awards. These remarkable finalists have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and a commitment to our vibrant community. Without further ado, let’s celebrate their achievements!
Finalist's Announced!
We recognize achievement with 11 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
Sponsored by - GFL Environmental
2023 Finalists:
CBCL Engineering & Environmental Design Services
Lindsay Construction
Maskwiomin
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by - Shannon School of Business
2023 Finalists:
Bud's Speedway
Cape Breton Barks
Cape Breton Tour Company
Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year
Sponsored by - Membertou
2023 Finalists:
Brian Purchase
Janet MacDonald
Traci Breski
Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by -
2023 Finalists:
Emily Pelley
Matt Stewart
Wesley Colford
Innovation and Advancement Award
Sponsored by -
2023 Finalists:
Carbide Secure
Eskasoni Cold Logistics
The Verschuren Centre
Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year
Sponsored by - Invest Nova Scotia
2023 Finalists:
Clearwater Seafoods
Sundaylace Creations & Bling
Trans-Atlantic Preforms
Community Impact Award
Sponsored by - Eskasoni Corporate
2023 Finalists:
Colbourne Auto
Island Dog Lodge
Tara Forgeron Psychology & Associates
Social Enterprise of the Year
Sponsored by - 101.9 The Hot
2023 Finalists:
Haley Street
Horizon Achievement Centre
Workplace Excellence Award
Sponsored by - Nova Scotia Power
2023 Finalists:
Chews Local
Emerald Isle
Tara Forgeron Psychology & Associates Inc.
Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by - Cape Breton Partnership
2023 Finalists:
Ankit Wadhwa
Guntas Bras & Parteek Pal Singh Brar
Thomas Engelhardt
Economic Development Leadership Award
Sponsored by - Air Canada
2023 Finalists:
Cape Breton Partnership
Northside BIDA
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council
People's Choice Awards - Sponsored by Nova Scotia Association of Realtors
In July, we collected nominations for the People’s Choice Awards in the following five categories: Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM, Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM, Favourite Community Project in the CBRM, Best Customer Service, and Best Social Media Channel. The nominees on the list have been compiled from the nominations received from the general public.
So, what’s next? The power is now in your hands! It’s time to rally your friends, family, and colleagues to join in and support your favourite businesses and organizations. You have the chance to cast your vote once every 24 hours until midnight on October 1.
We will announce the finalists the first week of October and the winners will be announced on the evening of October 20, 2023, at the Excellence in Business Awards!
People's Choice Awards Sponsor
Category Sponsors
Signature Sponsors
Supporting Sponsor
-
Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Inc
- CoPol International
Innovation & Advancement Award sponsored by Eskasoni Corporate
- Nova Scotia Power Makerspace
Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by The Hot 101.9
- New Dawn
Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership
- Kalie Wang – Urban Grow Farms
Community Impact Award sponsored Award by Membertou
- Eltuek Arts Centre
Charitable Committee or Organization of the Year Award
- Membertou Men’s Society
Workplace Excellence of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Community College
- Anchored Ideas
Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Northern Contracting Limited
- James MacDonald & Joseph Matheson
Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Scoitabank
- Michelle Aucoin – Learnability
Economic Development Leadership Award sponsored by Air Canada
- Eskasoni Corporate
New Business of the Year sponsored by GFL Environmental
- Island Dog Lodge
Business of the Year Award
- Membertou Corporate
People’s Choice Awards sponsored by Air Canada
Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM
- Lillian Company
Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM
- Commercial Street Deli
Favourite Community Project
- Caleb’s Courage
Best Customer Service in the CBRM
- Dominion Pharmasave
Best Social Media
- MacRae Home Hardware
-
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