Celebrating Excellence at the 31st Annual Business Excellence Awards

A Night to Celebrate Oshawa’s Best

Few nights on our calendar mean as much to me as the Business Excellence Awards. On September 29, 2026, we gathered with business owners, community leaders and friends for our 31st annual celebration. From the moment the doors opened, the room was full of energy and pride.

One of the great privileges of serving as Executive Director is meeting the people behind the businesses that shape Oshawa. Some run family restaurants. Others lead growing firms, beloved cultural venues or not-for-profits that change lives quietly, day after day. What I see in all of them is a deep commitment to doing business well and giving back to the place we share.

That’s what makes these awards so meaningful to me. Nominations come straight from our community, from customers, employees, partners and neighbours who have seen excellence up close. Judges from chambers and boards of trade outside Durham Region then review every submission, so each nominee is assessed fairly on its own merit. I’m also grateful to the City of Oshawa Business and Economic Development Services, our partner in presenting this year’s awards.

Meet This Year’s Winners

Here are the recipients of the 2026 Business Excellence Awards.

Business Person of the Year, Presented by BMO

This award honours an individual with a proven history of business success and strong leadership in their field. Recipients also show creative business thinking and a genuine commitment to community involvement.

Presented to Nash Escalada, Tachiqui

Excellence in Business (1 to 30 Employees), Presented by Invest Durham

Recognizing an established business with up to 30 employees that stands out in areas like company growth, products and services, market development and community service.

Presented to Biltmore Theatre

Emerging Business of the Year, Presented by RBC

Celebrating a business that has been operating for less than five years and is already making its mark through growth, customer service and community involvement.

Presented to TEDxOshawa

Innovation in Business, Presented by Durham College

This award recognizes an organization that brings fresh ideas, new technology or creative approaches to the way it does business.

Presented to Windfields Mechanical Group Inc.

Sustainability Award, Presented by Oshawa Power

Honouring an organization that operates sustainably and actively works to promote a healthy environment.

Presented to The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture

Not-for-Profit of the Year, Presented by Pathwise Credit Union

Recognizing a registered not-for-profit organization that delivers exceptional community service and leadership, backed by a solid business foundation.

Presented to Durham Children’s Aid Foundation

Tourism Operator of the Year, Presented by Courtyard by Marriott

This award celebrates excellence in the tourism industry, looking at innovation, customer satisfaction, leadership and the experience an operator creates for visitors to Oshawa.

Presented to Parkwood National Historic Site

Intrapreneur of the Year

Honouring an individual within an organization who shows exceptional entrepreneurial qualities and contributes significantly to its innovation and growth.

Presented to Sasidhar Sajja, Madurham Indian Cuisine

G.W. McLaughlin Award, Presented by Trent University Durham GTA

Named for George W. McLaughlin, one of the most influential figures in Oshawa’s business history, this award is among the evening’s most distinguished honours.

Presented to Craig Mack, Mack Lawyers

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees.

Highlights from the Evening

We tried something a little different to open the program this year. If you’ve ever watched Hot Ones, the show where guests answer questions while working through wings that keep getting hotter, you can probably guess where this is going. Ben Shelley, our Chamber President, sat down with a few of our sponsors and a plate of very spicy wings. Let’s just say there was some sweating involved.

And then there was our MC, Kolter Bouchard of SYMAL Creative Inc. If you were in the room, you already know. Kolter has a sharp, edgy sense of humour, and he wasn’t shy about going there. He kept everyone on their toes all night, while making sure every winner got their moment.

While dinner was served, we were treated to something really special. Anvita, a student of CNSID and an accomplished young Bharatanatyam dancer, performed two shlokas followed by a Tillana. One shloka, composed by the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj, honours the guru-shishya tradition of learning from a teacher. The other pays tribute to Lord Shiva, the lord of dance. Thank you, Anvita, for sharing your talent with us.

On the way out, everyone got a sweet little honey pot, compliments of the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture at Durham College.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

I want to take a moment to thank our sponsors. Simply put, none of this happens without you. Your support lets us shine the spotlight where it belongs, on the people and businesses building Oshawa’s future.

City of Oshawa Business & Economic Development Services Department

Award Sponsors

Harmony Event Centre, Courtyard by Marriott and TownePlace Suites

DKI CRCS

Baker Tilly

Rapport, a Division of WFCU Credit Union

Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports)

TD Commercial Banking

TaxAssist Accountants Oshawa East & Kawartha Lakes

Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture

Thank you as well to our judges from chambers and boards of trade across Ontario, who gave their time so generously. And to everyone who took a moment to nominate someone this year, you’re the reason these awards exist.

After 31 years, I’m more excited than ever about what our business community will accomplish next. I hope to see you at next year’s celebration.