We are proud to recognize the highest levels of achievement in business in Orillia and Lake Country.
Milestone Award
Description
Recognizing a business that celebrated a significant milestone in 2025 or 2026.
Requirements
Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. The Milestone award is presented to a business that ? is celebrating or has in the past year celebrated a significant milestone. Must have been in business for a minimum of 10 years.
Recipient will be selected based on number of years in business, significance of milestone, and quality of entry submission including business description.?
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Significance of milestone | 75.0% |
| Completeness of Entry | 25.0% |
Customer Service
Description
Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. Presented to the business that has been recognized by their customers to provide a high level of service consistently, or who is seen to far surpass their customers' expectations in the delivery of their product or service. Please give a specific example.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall impression | 10.0% |
| Has enhanced, expanded, or invested in improving customer service in 2023 | 20.0% |
| Makes outstanding efforts to deliver high-quality customer service | 40.0% |
| Application demonstrates/ documents customer service quality. | 30.0% |
Innovation Award
Description
Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. To the company that has invested significantly in technology or innovation which improves their level of customer service, creates jobs and/or benefits the region.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall impression | 10.0% |
| Significance | 30.0% |
| Originality | 30.0% |
| Outcomes | 30.0% |
Sustainability Award
Description
Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. To the business that has made a noticeable effort in product development or conservation practices that have a positive impact on our environment.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall impression | 10.0% |
| Sustainable policies/ business practices | 30.0% |
| Significance of outcomes/ impact | 30.0% |
| Social/ charitable efforts related to environmental sustainability | 30.0% |
Business Growth Award
Description
Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. To the business that has exhibited exceptional growth in 2023- e.g. market, workforce, regional expansion, size of business, physical location enhancement/ expansion, or regional economic development.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Company Description/ Completeness of Entry | 20.0% |
| Scale of expansion. | 25.0% |
| Economic Impact/ regional significance | 25.0% |
| Size of expansion | 20.0% |
| Supporting Documents | 10.0% |
New Business of the Year
Description
Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. Presented to a business that opened in 2025 or 2026, congratulating them on their hard work and entrepreneurial initiative. Or to the business who has invented a new product or service using their entrepreneurial initiative.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overcoming barriers/ adversity | 20.0% |
| Economic Impact | 15.0% |
| Uniqueness/ diversity | 10.0% |
| Overall impression | 15.0% |
| Achievements/ accomplishments | 20.0% |
| Community contributions | 20.0% |
Employer of the Year Award
Description
To a business that exemplifies excellence in its employee focus and development. Achievements could include: job creation, employee on-boarding, training & support programs, morale and job satisfaction initiatives, recognition and reward programs, and overall committee to professional and personal employee development and success, whose skills and training initiatives best harness the talent of its people, embrace diversity, and support employee success. Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Completeness of Entry | 10.0% |
| Overall efforts | 40.0% |
| Outcomes | 25.0% |
| Creativity and Innovation | 25.0% |
Small Business of the Year
Description
Recognizes outstanding achievement of a small business in some or all of the following: research and development, company growth, products and services, market development, sales and marketing, community service. Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall impression | 20.0% |
| Community/ charitable participation/ contributions | 20.0% |
| Notable business accomplishments in 2023 | 35.0% |
| Other- taking into account barriers overcome, uniqueness of business/ offering a necessary service, customer experience, etc. | 25.0% |
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Description
Recognizes the business that is committed to practicing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall impression | 10.0% |
| Human Resource policies, practices, and outcomes | 25.0% |
| Accessibility | 20.0% |
| Promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion | 20.0% |
| Customer/ public- focused efforts | 25.0% |
Business Leader of the Year Award
Description
To an individual who best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit – a true passion for building something great from nothing and pushing themselves to the limits to achieve big goals.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Completeness of entry | 20.0% |
| Extent to which this individual demonstrates entrepreneurial qualities: perseverance, determination, innovation | 40.0% |
| Achievements/ outcomes | 20.0% |
| Overcoming adversity | 20.0% |
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Description
To recognize the achievements of a local entrepreneur age 18-35.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall Impression | 10.0% |
| Completeness of Entry | 10.0% |
| Demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit- perseverance, innovation, determination, etc. | 40.0% |
| Efforts or contributions are significant or outstanding, or nominee has overcome significant obstacles/ adversity | 40.0% |
Strengthening Orillia and Lake Country
Description
In recognition of a business that fosters community involvement, through the actions of the business or by supporting their employees in community endeavors. Important note: Note that this category is intended for businesses only. Non-profit/ charitable organizations should apply for Non-Profit/ Charitable Organization award.
Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall impression | 10.0% |
| Efforts of this company to support the local community | 45.0% |
| Significance of outcomes/ impact | 45.0% |
Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award
Description
This award will recognize a business in the area that is involved and engaged in the chamber and the community. Business must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Overall impression | 10.0% |
| Community/ charitable participation/ contributions | 20.0% |
| Demonstrates | 25.0% |
| Notable business accomplishments in 2023 | 20.0% |
| Outstanding customer experience | 25.0% |
Not for Profit or Charitable Organization Award
Description
Recognizes a registered Not for Profit or Charitable organization which has shown a positive contribution to society, broadened education of their service, community Involvement, promotes volunteerism, social & community advancements. Organization must operate or be located in the Orillia & Lake Country (including Severn, Ramara, Rama, and Oro-Medonte) and be member in good standing of the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Significance of local impact | 30.0% |
| Overall impression | 20.0% |
| 2023 achievements/ milestones | 50.0% |
