Member Login
    Become a Member
    Login
    Sign-up

    Business Excellence Awards Criteria and Nomination Form

    Nominations for the 2026 Business Excellence Awards are now closed. 

    The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Business Excellence Awards (BEAs) to recognize outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals in the Greater Fredericton community for their achievements, innovation, and contributions to the local economy and community. The BEAs are exclusively open to members of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

    • Nominations must be submitted by 4:00 PM on June 26, 2026.
    • Self-nominations are encouraged – don’t hesitate to put your own name forward.  Nominators do not have to be chamber members; however, the nominee must be a member in good standing.  Nominations are kept anonymous.
    • Once nominated, the nominee will be sent an award application package to complete, with two weeks to submit.
    • Selection Process: the packages submitted by nominees are evaluated by an independent selection committee based on the criteria provided on this page and in the award application package. This rigorous process ensures each award recipient exemplifies excellence in their category. 
    • Nominees will be informed of results starting August 25, 2026.
    • Award recipients will be announced at the 2026 Business Excellence Awards Gala on October 22. Watch for gala registration details in our newsletters.

    Trailblazer Award

    Criteria: This award recognizes an individual who has boldly forged new paths through innovation, leadership, or transformative impact. It celebrates those who challenge convention, lead meaningful change, or inspire progress within their workplace, organization, or the Greater Fredericton community.   

    A Trailblazer may have introduced a bold initiative or innovation by launching a new business or introducing a transformative idea, process, or product within their workplace.  Alternatively, a Trailblazer may have implemented a meaningful change in their workplace or community by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion or by introducing a unique cultural perspective that enriches their environment.  

    1. The nominee has introduced or championed a new initiative, product, service, or internal process within the past five years. The innovation must have been implemented and shown measurable or observable benefits to the business or organization.
    2. The nominee has enriched their workplace or community through a meaningful or cultural change within the past five years.  The change must have been implemented and shown measurable or observable benefits to the workplace or community well-being.
    3. The nominee’s work may have influenced not only their immediate environment but also inspired broader change across their industry or the Greater Fredericton community. 
    4. The nominee may be from any level of the business or organization—owner, manager, or staff member. 
    5. The nominee must not have been a finalist or recipient in the same category in 2025. 
    6. The nominee must be a member/employee in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline.  

    Small Business Award

    Criteria: The Small Business award recognizes a business with 20 or fewer employees, including the owner(s). The business has been operational and completed five or more fiscal years at the time of the nomination deadline, and has demonstrated professional integrity, excellence in customer service, success through innovation and a commitment to the Greater Fredericton community. Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to) independent businesses, franchise businesses, and corporate businesses. 

    1. The business has a reputation for integrity and a high level of customer service. 
    2. The business has demonstrated excellence in one or more facets of the business such as service, product, marketing, HR, etc. 
    3. The business has a robust planning process and keeps their team engaged in achieving the goals of the plan. 
    4. The business has demonstrated product or service diversification to meet changing client needs to position them for continued growth. 
    5. The business, its owner(s), and/or its employee(s) participate and/or support community and industry-related activities. 
    6. Nominee must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024. 
    7. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    8. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    Medium Business Award

    Criteria: The Medium Business award recognizes a business with 21-50 employees, including the owner(s). The business has been operational and completed five or more fiscal years at the time of the nomination deadline, and has demonstrated professional integrity, excellence in customer service, success through innovation and a commitment to the Greater Fredericton community. Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to) independent businesses, franchise businesses, and corporate businesses. 

    1. The business has a reputation for integrity and a high level of customer service in the community. 
    2. The business has demonstrated excellence in one or more facets of the business such as service, product, marketing, HR, etc. 
    3. The business has a robust planning process and keeps their team engaged in achieving the goals of the plan. 
    4. The business has demonstrated product or service diversification to meet changing needs to position them for continued growth. 
    5. The business, its owner(s), and/or its employee(s) participate and/or support community and industry-related activities. 
    6. Nominee must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024. 
    7. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    8. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline.

    Large Business Award

    Criteria: The Large Business award recognizes a business with 51+ employees, including the owner(s). The business has been operational and completed five or more fiscal years at the time of the nomination deadline, and has demonstrated professional integrity, excellence in customer service, success through innovation and a commitment to the Greater Fredericton community. Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to) independent businesses, franchise businesses, and corporate businesses. 

    1. The business has a reputation for integrity and a high level of customer service. 
    2. The business has demonstrated excellence in one or more facets of the business such as service, product, marketing, HR, etc. 
    3. The business has a robust planning process and keeps their team engaged in achieving the goals of the plan. 
    4. The business has demonstrated product or service diversification to meet changing client needs to position them for continued growth. 
    5. The business, its owner(s), and/or its employee(s) participate and/or support community and industry-related activities. 
    6. Nominee must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024. 
    7. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    8. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    Not-for-Profit Organization Award

    Criteria: This award recognizes a registered not-for-profit organization or professional association which has been operational and has completed at least three fiscal years at the time of the nomination deadline. The organization has made an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural, or economic well-being of the Greater Fredericton community while exhibiting stability, maintaining a good relationship with its members, staff, and volunteers, and demonstrating best business practices. 

    1. The vision/mission/objective/goals of the not-for-profit organization or professional association reflect a community or industry need. 
    2. The not-for-profit organization or professional association has a reputation for integrity in its dealings with clients, volunteers, staff, or other individuals/groups and stakeholders. 
    3. New and innovative approaches/initiatives are used to benefit the not-for-profit organization or professional association and/or its clients, volunteers, members, and stakeholders. 
    4. The not-for-profit organization or professional association demonstrates exceptional governance. 
    5. Nominee must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024. 
    6. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    7. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    Please note: Crown Corporations or not-for-profit organizations that are 100% government-funded are not eligible for this category. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/about-registered-charities/what-difference-between-a-registered-charity-a-non-profit-organization.html 

    Charitable Organization Award

    Criteria: This award recognizes a registered charitable organization which has been operational and has completed at least three fiscal years at the time of the nomination deadline. The organization has made an outstanding contribution to the social, cultural, or economic well-being of the Greater Fredericton community while exhibiting stability, maintaining a good relationship with its staff and volunteers or members, and demonstrating best practices. 

    1. The vision/mission/objective/goals of the organization reflect a community need. 
    2. The organization has a reputation for integrity in its dealings with clients, volunteers, staff, members, or other individuals/groups. 
    3. New and innovative approaches/initiatives are used to benefit the organization and/or its clients/volunteers/members. 
    4. The organization demonstrates exceptional governance. 
    5. The organization has demonstrated consistent success in funding/fundraising. 
    6. Nominee must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024.  
    7. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    8. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    Please note: Crown Corporations or charitable organizations that are 100% government-funded are not eligible for this category. https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/charities-giving/about-registered-charities/what-difference-between-a-registered-charity-a-non-profit-organization.html 

    Community Impact Award

    Criteria: This award recognizes a business that demonstrates a strong commitment to community involvement and social responsibility. This business has made an extraordinary, social, cultural or environmental impact on the Greater Fredericton community. 

    1. The business has made an extraordinary, social, cultural or environmental impact on the Greater Fredericton community, beyond the normal course of business operations.  
    2. The business’ corporate culture reflects and emphasis on community involvement and/or volunteerism. 
    3. The business partners with or supports not-for profit organizations, charities, or other community efforts with a financial and/or time commitment. 
    4. Nominees must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024. 
    5. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    6. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    New Business Award

    Criteria: This award recognizes a new business that has demonstrated early success, innovation, and potential for growth. The business has been generating revenue and completed between one and five fiscal years of operation at the time of the nomination deadline. The business demonstrates professional integrity, excellence in customer service, growth, success through innovation, and a commitment to the Greater Fredericton community. 

    1. The business is working to establish a reputation for integrity and a high level of customer service. 
    2. The business must have sales and have met or exceeded the financial or growth goals outlined in its business plan. 
    3. The business has the potential to scale up. 
    4. New and innovative approaches/initiatives are used to benefit the business and/or its customers. 
    5. The business must be revenue generating on or before June 26, 2025 (completed one fiscal year of operation at the time of the nomination deadline). 
    6. Nominee must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024. 
    7. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    8. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    Business Leader of the Year Award

    Criteria: This award recognizes an individual who has achieved significant professional success and made outstanding contributions to their industry and to the Greater Fredericton community through their leadership in their professional and volunteer work. The individual’s professional career should span at least 10 years at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    1. The individual has achieved significant professional success in their career. 
    2. The individual has demonstrated leadership and has made a substantial impact in their industry throughout their career. 
    3. The individual has demonstrated a significant commitment to the Greater Fredericton community throughout their career. 
    4. The individual has a reputation for integrity in their professional and community activities. 
    5. Nominee must not have been a finalist in the same category in 2025 or 2024. 
    6. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    7. Nominee’s business or employer must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline. 

    Resilience Award

    Criteria: This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated resilience and innovation to overcome a major change/challenge that was not exclusively financial in nature, and had an impact on the business, within the past ten years. Please note: While we acknowledge the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges related solely to the pandemic will not be considered for this award. 

    1. The business experienced a major change/challenge within the past 10 years. 
    2. The business was growing and/or sustainable before and after the major change/challenge. 
    3. New and innovative approaches/initiatives were used in order to overcome the change/challenge faced by the business. 
    4. The major change/challenge occurred at least three years prior to the nomination deadline and the business has sustained operations since that time, either remaining in the same industry or successfully pivoting. 
    5. Nominee must not have been a recipient in the same category from 2025 to 2021. 
    6. Nominee must be a member in good standing of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce at the time of the nomination deadline.