The Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts our annual Business Awards celebrating nominees from our business community. Businesses are nominated from seven separate categories: New Business of the Year, Micro Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Exporter of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advancement Award. The nominees submit a judging package which will be brought before a pannel of judges to identify the winners.
New Business of the Year: Julie Ogilvie Digital Marketing Strategist
Micro Business of the Year: Hopper’s Yard Works Inc.
Small Business of the Year: LIV Fashion Boutique
Large Business of the Year: Luckett Vineyards
Exporter of the Year: Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
Innovator of the Year: Niche Design Consultants Inc.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advancement Award: The Swimwear Hut and Lingerie
Lifetime Achievement Award
An exceptional individual in our community deserving of recognition for their incredible accomplishments.
2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Doug Raymond
Lawyer, business owner, and father, with a valuable contribution to the community. Using his passion for progress and change.
Award Categories
New Business of the Year
The nominee must have an active for-profit business located or operating in the Annapolis Valley (Hantsport – Lawrencetown) for less than three years. Business established after January 1, 2020.
Micro Business of the Year
The nominee must have an active for-profit business located or operating in the Annapolis Valley (Hantsport – Lawrencetown) with a total number of employees not exceeding 5. For purposes of the business awards, contractors are considered employees. Business must be owner-operated for a minimum of three years.
Small Business of the Year
The nominee must have an active for-profit business located or operating in the Annapolis Valley (Hantsport – Lawrencetown) with a total number of employees not exceeding 25. For purposes of the business awards, contractors are considered employees. Business must be owner-operated for a minimum of three years.
Large Business of the Year
The nominee must have an active for-profit business located or operating in the Annapolis Valley (Hantsport – Lawrencetown) with more than 25 employees. For purposes of the business awards, contractors are considered employees.
Exporter of the Year
Active for-profit business operation in the Annapolis Valley (Hantsport – Lawrencetown) is more than 3 years old with a significant strength in export to be solely judged on this element. Requires the business to export a product/service outside of Nova Scotia.
Innovator of the Year
Active for-profit business operation in the Annapolis Valley (Hantsport – Lawrencetown) is more than 3 years old with a significant strength in innovation to be solely judged on this element. The focus is on the significant creation of a product/service or process that distinguishes the business in the market or industry.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advancement Award
Active for-profit business located and operating in the Annapolis Valley (Hantsport – Lawrencetown) with a demonstrable commitment to advancing principles of equity, diversity, and/or inclusion throughout their organization. The focus of this award is on the work of a business to become more diverse, equitable, and/or inclusive of all people. Initiatives can be internal to the organization, external, or both but must touch on at least one of the following areas: Gender/Sexual Diversity, Indigenous Rights, Anti-Racism & Discrimination, Disability Rights, Gender Equity, and Inclusion.
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