Bell
BMO
TD Bank
Invest Barrie
107.5 Kool
Rock 95
Barrie 360
Liberty North
[BARRIE, ON – October 27, 2025] On Friday, October 24th, the Barrie Business Awards celebrated more than achievement. They highlighted the spirit of our city and the people who make it thrive. Barrie is our home, our community and the place where local businesses make it possible to work close to where we live. You can see that spirit in the way we support one another, create opportunities and keep building a city we can all be proud of.
In Barrie, business excellence is not just one thing. It comes from many parts working together. Innovation, leadership, service and community spirit all shape a shared story. These awards honour that mix. Each contribution, large or small, helps strengthen the place we call home. The awards night is our chance to pause, to celebrate and to recognize how much has gone into getting here.
This year’s celebration was made possible through the support of Meridian as our Presenting Sponsor along with Bell and Bill Gosling Outsourcing as our Platinum Sponsors. Their partnership reflects the same commitment we see across Barrie and a shared belief that success means more when it is shared.
The winners of the 2025 Barrie Business Awards are:
Doug Bingley, Central Ontario Broadcasting – Arch Brown Entrepreneur Award of Excellence
Sponsored by RBC
First Gulf – Mayor’s Economic Development Award
Sponsored by the City of Barrie
Hospice Simcoe Seasons Centre – Not-for-Profit or Charitable Organization Award
Sponsored by Innovative Automation
Bulldog Construction Services – Pay It Forward Award
Sponsored by Bill Gosling Outsourcing
SUPERIOR Home Health Care – Service Business Excellence Award
Sponsored by Scotiabank
Innovative Automation Inc. – Manufacturing, Engineering & Construction Business Excellence Award
Sponsored by BMO
Trainers Choice – Business Growth Award
Sponsored by Busch Systems
Blue Haven Wellness – New Business Award
Sponsored by Invest Barrie
Grillicious Restaurant and Wine Bar – Hospitality & Tourism Business Excellence Award
Sponsored by BDO
Pompous Fox Wood Company Inc. – Sustainable Impact Award
Sponsored by Alectra Utilities
Healing Arts Micropigmentation and Wellness Centre – Small Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by TD Bank
Maguire Boucher, The Hound Lounge – Young Professional of the Year Award
Sponsored by Georgian College
Barrie Indian Association – Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
Sponsored by OLG
Chris McBrien, Georgian College – Employee of the Year Award
Sponsored by Bell
Rock95 Birthday Bash – Marketing & Promotions Award
Sponsored by CIBC
Photos courtesy of Elliott Impact Media click for full size:
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce extends heartfelt thanks to every sponsor, partner and guest who made this event possible. We are grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate. To our nominees, finalists and winners, congratulations. Each of you represents the best of Barrie’s business community and we are proud to celebrate your achievements.
Our sincere appreciation to all of our 2025 Barrie Business Awards sponsors.
Discover your 2025 Barrie Business Awards Finalists!
On September 12th, Gala MC's McCully from Rock 95 and Amy Aust from 107.5 Kool FM announced the finalists for the 2025 Barrie Business Awards at the Barrie Chamber office. Many of the finalists themselves were on hand.
Join us is celebrating them!
Celebrate Barrie's Best!
Come out to join the Barrie Business Community - Friday, October 24th, 2025
2025 Barrie Business Awards Timeline
- Nominations Open: Friday, July 11, 2025
- Nominations Close: EXTENDED - Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at 2pm
- Acceptance Close: Friday, August 22, 2025 at 12 noon
- Judging Begins: Friday, August 22, 2025
- Judging Ends: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
- Press Reception: Friday, September 12, 2025 at 12:30pm
- Early Bird Tickets Close: Friday, September 19 at 12 noon
- To ensure we can accommodate any specific dietary needs, please inform us of your requirements by October 17th at 2pm. After this date, we will assume you are happy to enjoy our signature meal option. There are no refunds after this date.
- Barrie Business Awards Gala: Friday, October 24, 2025 to be hosted at Liberty North
Signature Menu:
Appetizer: Baby greens salad with honey roasted pears, pickled red onions, feta cheese, and crispy onion straws drizzled with Sicilian lemon balsamic (Olive Oil Co. Inc.) vinaigrette
Entrée: Spinach and Brie stuffed chicken breast topped with white wine cream sauce, served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and chef’s seasonal vegetables roasted in Roasted Onion Olive oil (Olive Oil Co. Inc.)
Dessert: Apple caramel crumble with Bourbon Maple balsamic (Olive Oil Co. Inc.) whip
Our menu is proudly enhanced by:
Vegan / Vegetarian Menu:
Appetizer: Baby greens salad with honey roasted pears, pickled red onions, and crispy onion straws drizzled with Sicilian lemon balsamic (Olive Oil Co. Inc.) vinaigrette
Entrée: Grilled vegetable and penne pasta in homemade tomato basil sauce drizzled with Garlic olive oil (Olive Oil Co. Inc.)
Dessert: Vegan chocolate tartlet with fresh fruit
Recognizing Excellence in Business and Corporate Community Service
Initiated by the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce and the City of Barrie in 2003, the Barrie Business Awards program recognizes the contribution of local businesses to the continued growth and success of our community. Each year the program begins with a call for nominations, nominee profiles are collected, the panel of judges are assembled online, and finalists are announced at a press reception. The awards will be presented on Friday, October 24, 2025.
#barriebusinessawards #ichooselocal #supportlocalbusiness #BBA #BBA2025 #barriechamber
Click image below to view the full sized photo of the 2024 Barrie Business Awards
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to a night of celebration and recognition at the annual Barrie Business Awards Gala. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the businesses and entrepreneurs who've displayed unparalleled excellence, innovation, and dedication in our thriving business community. Optional Black Tie, this is the premiere Barrie business event of the year!
Program Highlights
Awards Ceremony:Â Witness as we honour the trailblazers and visionaries of Barrie's business community. Awards will be presented across multiple categories, recognizing a range of achievements and contributions.
Incredible Meal:Â The team at Liberty North under Chef Mark never fails to impress.
Networking Opportunities:Â This is a prime opportunity to connect with fellow business leaders, stakeholders, and innovators from across the region. Forge new alliances or strengthen existing partnerships amidst the backdrop of a celebratory evening.
Tickets & Reservations
Reserve your seat at the most anticipated business event of the year. Celebrate the achievements, share the success stories, and be inspired by the passion that drives Barrie's business community. We look forward to commemorating the evening with you!
Agenda
5:00PM - 6:00PM Registration & Cocktail Reception
6:10PM - Welcome from MC's & Dinner
Following dinner, Presentation and Awards
We kindly request that everyone arrive by 6:00PM.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Join the celebration! Encourage and lead the Barrie Business Community
The annual Barrie Business Awards Gala showcases the vitality and perseverance of our community's economy. The Chamber takes pride in recognizing individuals who contribute to making Barrie a vibrant place to live, work and engage, while nurturing a culture of teamwork and assistance, among businesses. By fostering a spirit of mutual support and community, we strengthen our business network and underscore the value of cooperation, growth and success. Sponsors receive visibility and acknowledgment offering them chances to elevate their brand image and connect with prominent business figures, in the area showcasing their dedication to our flourishing community.
Paul Markle
Chief Executive Officer
Barrie Chamber of Commerce
Discover the Awards
Curious about the criteria for each award? Click here to explore detailed descriptions of the Barrie Business Awards.
Benefits of Accepting
For nominees, the journey from nomination to the awards gala is not just an event but a transformative experience brimming with numerous benefits for personal and professional growth.
Judging has officially closed. We're proud to share that our panel of judges hails from the Ontario chamber network as well as diverse sectors of the business community. To maintain the utmost fairness and transparency, the judges are not privy to the identities of their fellow panelists or their respective assignments. Judges hail from across the province and in some cases, the county. This eliminates the risk of personal bias due to local relationships.
We've chosen to conduct all evaluations through Awardify, a user-friendly and secure awards management platform designed in Canada. Not only does Awardify bolster the integrity of our selection process, but it also ensures that each entry receives the rigorous review it deserves.
To further enhance the transparency of our process, categories are allocated with specific review mechanisms to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest. Each category undergoes evaluation by three distinct judges. The average scores from these evaluations will then determine our esteemed winners. We're committed to a fair and open process. We appreciate your trust in us.