The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for our Outstanding Business Achievement Awards. Nominations are open until Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Business of the Year
Description
These awards are based on a holistic picture of business. Businesses to be considered have distinguished themselves by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy, and consumer excellence in their sectors. There are three award categories: 1 to 25 employees, 26 to 100 employees, over 100 employees.
Charity or Non-Profit of the Year
Description
The Charity or Non-Profit of the Year award recognizes and rewards excellence and innovation among Non-Profit organizations resulting in significant social impact within Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma district. These achievements can be met through the application of creative and practical approaches to benefit the community in general with an emphasis on underserved populations. Qualifying businesses are non-profit or registered charitable organizations that have two primary goals: to achieve social and/or cultural and economic outcomes, as well as to generate sufficient cash flow to continue to support their causes.
Downtown Business of the Year
Description
The Downtown Business of the Year Award recognizes a business that is invested in the downtown business community and contributes to Downtown Sault Ste. Marie. This award honors their commitment to running a business in the heart of our city and their role in creating a vibrant Downtown.
Indigenous Business of the Year
Description
The Indigenous Business of the Year Award is presented to a business which has a minimum of 51% Indigenous or Metis ownership or can demonstrate 51% Indigenous or Metis management and staff. Businesses to be considered have distinguished themselves by fostering growth, innovation, marketing strategy, and consumer excellence, while showing leadership and dedication to the preservation of Indigenous or Metis culture, values and identity.
Community Investment Award
Description
This award highlights outstanding community service and investment. The recipient puts the community first, by contributing to the well-being of the community as a whole, through initiatives such as sourcing products and / or services locally, retailing / utilizing local products, employment growth, and supporting the community from a charitable aspect.
Excellence in Innovation & Technology
Description
The Excellence in Innovation & Technology award recognizes a business that has successfully incorporated a new idea, technology, device or method and / or has utilized the application of better solutions to meet new requirements, internal needs, or market needs.
Employer of the Year
Description
The Employer of the Year award recognizes an employer that creates an outstanding workplace culture by supporting employee growth, well-being, and engagement through initiatives like mentorship, professional development, and recognition programs. Open to businesses of all sizes in Sault Ste. Marie, this award focuses on leadership and workplace environment rather than salary, benefits, or pensions.
Leader in Accessibility
Description
The Leader in Accessibility award recognizes an organization that shows leadership in integrating and providing accessible and barrier-free working conditions for employees and accessibility in customer service. This business or organization values the contributions of persons with disabilitie and promotes the development of an inclusive workplace culture.
Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Description
The Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion award recognizes a business or organization that embraces, celebrates and applies holistic inclusion and participation of a diverse workforce, making the workplace a better environment in which to work, and the community a better place in which to live, work and grow.
New Business of the Year
Description
The New Business of the Year award recognizes a business that has been in operation for no less than 1 year and no more than 3 years, that has demonstrated strong potential via growth, innovation, and leadership. Additionally, the business has demonstrated a culture of risk-taking and trailblazing and has positioned itself to achieve similar successes in the future through new or innovative product or service, quality of merchandise/ customer service, job creation, growth potential, and market served.
Excellence in Customer Service
Description
The Excellence in Customer Service award (business or organization) showcases a business or organization that places the customer experience at the heart of their business strategy and builds a sustainable culture of customer service within their organization.
Excellence in Environmental Sustainability
Description
The Excellence in Environmental Sustainability award recognizes an organization that has taken actionable overt steps to be part of the solution to complex societal issues. By embracing the principles of environmental, social, and governance, they set criteria used to evaluate their organizations commitment to sustainable operations by measuring environmental impact and mitigating future environmental risks; recognizes outcomes impact stakeholders such as employees, customers, suppliers, and the local community; and demonstrates the principles of governance by preventing conflicts of interest, promotes operating in good faith, and demonstrates transparency among their employees and stakeholders.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Description
The Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes an individual in Sault Ste. Marie who has shown exceptional vision, leadership, and innovation in building and growing a successful business. This award celebrates those who have taken risks, overcome challenges, and demonstrated resilience in bringing their entrepreneurial ideas to life. The recipient will have made a significant impact on their industry or community through job creation, market growth, and a commitment to excellence. Entrepreneurs from all sectors are eligible, and business partners who share equal responsibility may be nominated jointly.
