PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Voting for the 2025 People’s Choice Awards is open! Cast your vote now and shine a light on your favorites.
People's Choice Awards Voting 2025
Select from the choices below to vote for the People's Choice Awards. You can vote once per day until October 1 at midnight!35th ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS
The Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate 35 years of Business Excellence at the 2025 Excellence in Business Awards on November 13, 2025, at the Joan Harris Cruise Pavilion.
Join us as we honor the entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders whose vision and resilience have shaped the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The Excellence in Business Awards is our community’s opportunity to recognize and applaud their achievements and impact.
There’s no place like Cape Breton when it comes to celebrating excellence in business. This year, we are adding a touch of magic with a Wizard of Oz theme, embracing the courage, heart, and vision that define the CBRM business community.
Early Bird and Chamber Member pricing is available, and we extend a warm welcome to non-members as well. Reserve your tickets today and join us for an evening of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.
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Business of the Year Award sponsored by Scotiabank
- Brilun Construction
New Business of the Year sponsored by NSCC
- Wadden Physiotherapy and Sport Performance
Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Membertou Corporate
- Trinity Young
Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by CBU Shannon School of Business
- Alixandrea Dowson
Innovation & Advancement Award sponsored by Eskasoni Corporate
- Island Eyecare
Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year Award
- M.V. Osprey
Community Impact Award sponsored by Air Canada
- Breton Ability Centre
Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by The Hot 101.9
- Horizon Achievement Centre
Workplace Excellence of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Power
- Sydney Credit Union
Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Partnership
- Rita Umoren
Economic Development Leadership Award sponsored by Port of Sydney
- TriMac Engineering
People’s Choice Awards sponsored by Nova Scotia Association of Realtors
Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM
- MacRae Home Hardware
Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM
- The Dory Pub & Restaurant
Favourite Community Project
- Atlantic Memorial Park Project
Best Customer Service in the CBRM
- MacRae Home Hardware
Best Social Media
- Grill Hut
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Business of the Year Award sponsored by GFL Environmental
- Lindsay Construction
New Business of the Year sponsored by Shannon School of Business
- Cape Breton Barks
Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Membertou
- Brian Purchase
Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by City Print +
- Emily Pelley
Innovation & Advancement Award sponsored by TD Bank
- The Verschuren Centre
Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by Invest Nova Scotia
- Clearwater Seafoods
Community Impact Award sponsored by Eskasoni Corporate
- Colbourne Auto
Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by The Hot 101.9
- Haley Street Adult Services Centre
Workplace Excellence of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Power
- Tara Forgeron Psychology & Associates Inc.
Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership
- Ankit Wadhwa
Economic Development Leadership Award sponsored by Air Canada
- Cape Breton Partnership
People’s Choice Awards sponsored by Nova Scotia Association of Realtors
Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM
- Emerald Isle
Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM
- 7 by 7
Favourite Community Project
- Hawks Dream Field
Best Customer Service in the CBRM
- Mullin’s Rite Stop
Best Social Media
- Island Dog Lodge
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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
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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
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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