Meridian
Bell
Bill Gosling
Alectra
BDO
BMO
Busch
City of Barrie
Georgian College
Innovative Automation logo
Invest Barrie
Nexim
OLG
RBC
Scotiabank
TD Bank
107.5 Kool
Rock 95
Barrie 360
Liberty North
Olive Oil Co.
Barriston
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 25, 2024.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 2024 Barrie Business Awards: An Unforgettable Celebration of Excellence in Barrie’s Business Community
October 25, 2025 Barrie, ON – The 2024 Barrie Business Awards Gala was a night to remember as Barrie’s business community gathered at Liberty North to recognize the achievements of outstanding local businesses and individuals. Hosted by the Barrie Chamber of Commerce, the sold-out event celebrated the exceptional talent, innovation, and dedication that drives Barrie’s vibrant economy.
The evening opened with Chamber President Salim Bardai’s inspiring remarks, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. Mayor Alex Nuttall presented the first award, the Mayor’s Economic Development Award, to Barrie City Centre represented by Dino Melchior, Jamie Massie, and Mike Stollery, citing their significant contributions to Barrie’s growth.
A highlight of the evening was the finalist videos, recorded by Fedora Films, which showcased each of the finalists and provided insight into these exceptional businesses before the winners were announced. These engaging videos offered the capacity crowd a closer look at the innovation, commitment, and community impact that each finalist brings to Barrie.
Throughout the evening, the Chamber emphasized the theme of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. A special highlight included Meridian’s Regional Vice President Simon Wellington, who, as Presenting Sponsor, engaged with the audience about Meridian’s strong support for Barrie’s businesses and community initiatives.
Award presentations featured interviews with winners, allowing them to share insights on their achievements and inspire the audience with their visions for the future. The Barrie Chamber team and Gala Committee, led by Leah Smith-Size, delivered an extraordinary visual experience, with the MTAV team ensuring seamless audio-visual excellence.
2024 Barrie Business Award Winners:
This year's award winners represent the remarkable diversity, innovation, and impact that drive Barrie forward.
Mayor’s Economic Development Award
Sponsored by City of Barrie
Winner: Barrie City Centre – Dino Melchior, Jamie Massie, and Mike Stollery
Marketing & Promotions Award
Sponsored by RBC
Winner: Wine Journeys
Business Growth Award
Sponsored by Scotiabank
Winner: BINS4 Shredding Inc.
Hospitality & Tourism Business Excellence Award
Sponsored by Busch Systems
Winner: Barrie Baycats Baseball Club
Manufacturing, Engineering, & Construction Business Excellence Award
Sponsored by BMO
Winner: Marvel Equipment Corp.
Employee of the Year Award
Sponsored by Bell
Winner: Stephanie Hayden, COMphysio
Sustainable Impact Award
Sponsored by Alectra Utilities
Winner: Pawty Animals
Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
Sponsored by OLG
Winner: New Path Youth and Family Services
Pay It Forward Award
Sponsored by Bill Gosling Outsourcing
Winner: North Barrie Market
Service Business Excellence Award
Sponsored by BDO
Winner: Simcoe Family Dentistry
Small Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by TD Bank
Winner: Trooper Pet Veterinary Nursing
New Business Award
Sponsored by Invest Barrie
Winner: Hubris Entertainment Inc.
Young Professional of the Year Award
Sponsored by Georgian College
Winner: Jeanette Volkmann, The Creative Co-Op
Not-For-Profit or Charitable Organization Award
Sponsored by Innovative Automation
Winner: Making Change SC
Arch Brown Entrepreneur Award of Excellence
Sponsored by Meridian
Winner: Michael Lalonde, Innovative Automation Inc.
A Night to Remember
The Gala was filled with highlights and memorable moments, capped by a meaningful toast from Executive Director Paul Markle. He expressed gratitude to the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the hardworking Chamber team, and the Gala’s generous sponsors. Paul invited the business community to enter floats in the upcoming 75th Annual Barrie Santa Claus Parade and encouraged all of Barrie to come out, cheer on local businesses, and welcome Santa to the city for the holiday season. He also urged businesses to help shape Barrie’s future by completing the Ontario Economic Report Survey, supporting growth and progress in our region.
Photos and videos, including Fedora Films’ captivating finalist videos, will soon be available on our website, capturing the excitement and joy of celebrating Barrie's best and brightest. For more information about the 2024 Barrie Business Awards and to learn more about each award category and winner, please visit barriechamber.com
Paul Markle
Executive Director
Paul@barriechamber.com
121 Commerce Park Drive, Unit A
Barrie, Ontario L4N 8X1
(O) 705 - 721 - 5000 ext. 5
(C) 249-288-3540
The Finalists Have Been Announced!
On Friday, September 20th, the Barrie Chamber hosted a Press Reception to announce our finalists. Discover them now!
Celebrate at the Gala!
Celebrate with the best of Barrie business - Friday, October 25th, 2024.
Menu:
Appetizer - Fresh cut mixed greens with a medley of crisp beets, cherry tomatoes, and pickled red onions served with Bianco White Balsamic (Olive Oil Co Inc) and horseradish vinaigrette.
Entrée - 4oz Chicken Breast and a 4oz Beef Tenderloin finished with Red wine Jus served with roasted sweet potatoes and Chefs vegetable medley using Herbes de Provence Olive Oil (Olive Oil Co Inc)
(Dairy Free / Gluten free)
Veg Meal – Chickpea and roasted root vegetable curry served over whole grain and wild rice blend using Harissa Olive Oil (Olive Oil Co Inc) (Vegetarian / Vegan / Gluten free / Dairy free)
Dessert – Double fudge chocolate Tart with Black Cherry Dark Balsamic (Olive Oil Co Inc) marinated berries and micro mint.
2024 Barrie Business Awards Timeline
- Nominations Open: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
- Nominations Close: Monday, August 12, 2024 at 2:00pm
- Acceptance Close: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 2:00pm
- Judging Begins: Thursday, August 22, 2024
- Judging Ends: Thursday, September 12, 2024
- Press Reception: Friday, September 20, 2024 at 12:30pm
- To ensure we can accommodate any specific dietary needs, please inform us of your requirements by October 16th at 2pm. After this date, we will assume you are happy to enjoy our signature meal option.
- Barrie Business Awards Gala: Friday, October 25, 2024 to be hosted at Liberty North
Announcing our Masters of Ceremonies!
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
Executive Director
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.