Finalists announced for Saint John Region Outstanding Business Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2024

SAINT JOHN, NB – The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the finalists and special recipients of its 42nd annual Outstanding Business Awards (OBAs) being held at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Saint John on Thursday, November 28.

A much-anticipated celebration of the Region’s business and community leaders, this year’s OBAs received a record-setting number of nominations and applications.

“The spirit of entrepreneurialism and contribution is alive and well in our community.” said Tracy Bell, CEO of The Chamber. “We put out the call – asking which organizations, teams and individuals are making important progress in innovation, contribution, sustainability and growth. The response was incredible, and an indication that there is really positive momentum taking place right now. Our judges were both inspired and encouraged by both the quality of the work being done by business and community leaders in the region, as well as by the level of diversity and creativity contained in those applications.”

The annual awards gala honours the Saint John region’s top businesses in eight categories: Enterprise of the Year, Emerging Enterprise, Entrepreneur of the Year. Young Entrepreneur, Community Impact, Sustainability Award, Innovator of the Year and the Chair’s Award

“A core part of our work at the Chamber is strengthening community and celebrating achievement, with the larger aim of building a prosperous and sustainable economic future for all,” said Fraser Wells, Chair of The Chamber. “The Outstanding Business Awards are an important occasion to come together and champion growth. I am appreciative of our volunteer judges’ efforts in selecting the finalists and recipients and look forward to celebrating alongside our business community the exciting progress being made in the Region.”

This year’s Finalists in the Enterprise of the Year category are:
Cooke Aquaculture Inc
iSpire – Inspired Technologies Ltd.
Fundy Harbour Group
*The winner of this award will be an active contributor to the growth of the Saint John Region.

The finalists for the Emerging Enterprise award are:
Compassionate Grief Centre
Sunly Energy – New Brunswick West
The Nest Yoga
*This award recognizes a business with fewer than five (5) years of operations that has demonstrated early promise for exponential growth.

The finalists for the Community Impact Award are:
100 Women Who Care
Saint John Theatre Company
United Way of Greater Saint John
*The winner will be a strong ally in working to make our community a better place.

The finalists for the Entrepreneur of the Year award are:
Shane Borthwick (Impact Wealth)
Michelle Hooton (Italian By Night)
Terri-Ann Richards (Lighthouse Leaders Group)
*This award honours an individual who has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional business acumen

The finalists for the Innovator of the Year award are:
MediReddie
Saint John Newcomers Centre
SeafarerAI Technology Inc.
*This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated exceptional creativity and ingenuity in developing or implementing a new product, service, or process.

The finalists for the Young Entrepreneur Award are:
Core Health Group
Forty Luxe The Label
Ya Mu Special Care Home
*This award is given to an individual who has shown great vision, creativity, and innovation in creating a business.

We also have a special new award’s category this year, the Sustainability Award, which honours a company who has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability through innovative and effective business practices.

“This is a globally-significant emerging area of business operations and we want to recognize those industries and organizations leading the way toward a greener future for all of us. There is good work being done here in our community,” said Bell. “With this award being the first of its kind for our Chamber, we want to build up a little anticipation, and will be excited to share more on this as we get closer to the awards gala.”

The other award we’re going to announce in the coming days is the Chair’s Award. This is a special recognition, selected by our Board Chair, recognizing a ‘lived example’ of excellence in business – a demonstrated and substantial contribution to, or impact on, both the economic progress and cultural fabric of the Saint John Region. We’re excited about this year’s recipient and will release the details soon.

For additional information or to purchase tickets to the Outstanding Business Awards please call The Chamber at (506) 634-8111.

The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce is a nationally accredited business organization dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and improved quality of life in the community. The Chamber is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. It offers a variety of programs, activities, services, and networking opportunities designed to enhance the business prospects of members and the overall business climate of the area.

For more information contact: Tracy Bell, CEO, The Chamber – 506-634-8111