Mishka Balsom, CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber 0f Commerce
“Once again, we are honoured and humbled to present these awards to truly outstanding and deserving organizations and people in our community. Our judges gave awards to businesses large and small, old and new, people at the start of their careers and people being recognized for a lifetime of work. What they all share is dedication to their craft and a spirit of community, and we’re fortunate to have them all in Niagara.” – Mishka Balsom, CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
News from the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Posted June 19th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – Niagara’s business community gathered on June 18th to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of organizations and individuals across the Niagara region.
More than 350 people attended the 2025 Niagara Business Achievement Awards at the Holiday Inn & Suites Conference Centre in St. Catharines, presented by RBC.
The 2025 recipients are:
Business of the Year, sponsored by RBC
- White Meadows Farms (Pelham)
- Environmental Leadership Award
- Jungbunzlauer Canada Inc. (Port Colborne)
Excellence in Business Award, 26 employees or more, sponsored by DDL & Co.
- Jungbunzlauer Canada Inc. (Port Colborne)
- Excellence in Business Award, up to 25 employees
- Silversmith Brewing Co. (Virgil)
Excellence in Business, Not-for-Profit Award
- Thorold Community Activities Group (Thorold)
Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality, sponsored by the Town of Lincoln and the City of St. Catharines
- White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
Outstanding New Business
- Little Red Coffee Ltd. (Fort Erie)
Technology & Innovation Award, sponsored by Innovate Niagara
- Myco Pet (Niagara Falls)
- Young Professional Award, sponsored by Youngs Insurance
- Chris Ventura
Bestowed Awards:
Community Leadership (sponsored by Niagara Region Economic Development): Ruth Todd, Regional Managing Partner and National Leader of KPMG Private Enterprise. This award recognizes an individual or individuals whose leadership has been a significant force for good in the community.
Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Meridian Credit Union): Anne Charette, Founder and President of The Burke Group. This award celebrates an entrepreneur who has made an outstanding contribution to business and the economic prosperity of Niagara.
Innovative Leaders Award (sponsored by CAA Niagara): Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of HOPA Ports. This award celebrates prominent business leaders who are pioneers in their industry through innovation, research, and development.
Lifetime Achievement Award: George Darte, George Darte Funeral Home. This award celebrates a business leader in recognition of their outstanding and sustained contributions or accomplishments in a particular field over the course of their entire career.
About the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce – The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in Niagara, with 1,300 members representing 50,000 employees. More information on the GNCC is available at gncc.ca<https://gncc.ca/> .
A Brief Footnote from Doug Draper – Now more than ever, with the continued threat U.S. President Donald Trump and his followers pose to Canada’s economic welfare and sovereignty, it is important for all of us north of the border to celebrate our homegrown businesses and support them with our pocketbooks as much as we can.
The only way Trump is going to even consider ending his trade war against Canada is if we inflict as much economic pain as we can on his country by boycotting everything Made in the U.S.A. and by cancelling any and all trips to that country.
Let’s continue to stand together and show Trump and his MAGA army that our country is NOT FOR SALE!
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views O This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
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