Call for Nominations: Celebrate Cornwall’s Finest at the 38th Annual Business Excellence Awards & 54th Citizen of the Year Gala

The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to officially open the nomination period for the 38th annual Business Excellence Awards and the 54th annual Citizen of the Year gala. We are calling on our community members, business leaders, and residents to help us shine a spotlight on the individuals and organizations who make Cornwall a vibrant, innovative, and supportive place to call home.

These awards are the premier opportunity to recognize the passion, hard work, and commitment that drive our local economy and strengthen our community spirit. Whether it is a small business that goes the extra mile for its customers, a non-profit organization making a tangible impact, or an individual whose volunteer efforts have transformed our city, we want to hear their stories.

Reflecting on the success of last year’s gala, we are inspired by the exceptional contributions of our 2024 award recipients—including our Citizen of the Year, Mike Turcotte, our Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Emard Bros. Lumber, and The President’s Award recipient, Dr. Peter Tropea. Their dedication sets a high standard for community service and professional excellence, and we hope their legacy inspires you to nominate the leaders, volunteers, and businesses making a similar difference in our community today.

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Nominate a Local Champion

We encourage the public to participate in this year’s recognition process. Nominations are open across a variety of categories, including:

• Business Excellence Categories: Celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, small-to-medium enterprises, and large businesses that have demonstrated exceptional growth and leadership.
• Community & Impact Awards: Recognizing those who have made significant contributions to sustainability, diversity, tourism, art & culture, and community well-being.
• Individual Achievement: Honoring the outstanding contributions of our youth, entrepreneurs, and the most anticipated award of the evening: The 54th Citizen of the Year.

“Every year, the caliber of nominees reminds us of the incredible talent and dedication present in Cornwall, SDG, and Akwesasne” said Angela Bero, Executive Director of the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is your chance to give credit to the neighbors, colleagues, and entrepreneurs who inspire you. We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating these achievements together.”

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How to Submit a Nomination

Participation is easy. We invite all community members to visit our official nominations page to review the criteria and submit your entries.

• Where to Nominate: https://www.cornwallchamber.com/bea
• Deadline for Submissions: June 29th, 2026

The winners will be celebrated on October 2nd, where the community will come together to honour the finalists and award recipients. For more information about the awards, the nomination process, or to become an event sponsor, please visit www.cornwallchamber.com or contact the Chamber office directly at (613) 933-4004.

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