NORTH BATTLEFORD — The Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists in the Battlefords Business Excellence (BBEX) Awards.
The awards ceremony, now in its 31st year, will take place Nov. 6 at the Don Ross Community Centre in North Battleford.
"The committee I know was really pleased with the outcome of the nominations process and the review process to be sure that everybody qualified in the categories," said chief operating officer Linda Machniak. "Though we had to take a couple out, we're really happy with the end result."
An anonymous jury will pick the winners at the end.
"They're looking for what the award is specifically given out for," Machniak said. "There is always a description of it, so they should base their view on that. Obviously, they go through the packages and identify which one they believe is the best of the packages that meet that criteria and make that selection."
The BBEX Awards are considered the highest and most prestigious award for Battlefords businesses in the local marketplace.
“The BBEX Awards showcase the immense talent and entrepreneurial spirit of the Battlefords business community. These finalists have demonstrated remarkable achievements, resilience and a commitment to service and community,” said BBEX co-chair Samantha Weber in the release.
The 2025 finalists:
Heather Guthrie Customer Service Star Award (Business/owner/entrepreneur) finalists:
Sponsored by Swanson Gryba & Company.
Awarded to a business, owner, or entrepreneur who consistently demonstrated excellence in customer service and/or hospitality, leadership, and whose service positively impacts the business in measurable and strategic ways.
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Boutique Noir Inc.
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CJV The Carpet People
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Gold Eagle Lodge
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K&K Glass Inc.
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Moon’s Kitchen
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Splish Splash Auto, RV & Pet Wash
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Stil Boutique & Beauty Inc.
New Business Venture Award finalists:
Sponsored by SIIT, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology.
Awarded to a new business/venture that has been operating for more than one but less than three years (on Dec. 31, 2024). This could include the expansion of an existing business into a new venture.
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Eston’s Place
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ZEL Safety Services Inc.
Community Contribution Award finalists:
Sponsored by SaskTel.
Awarded to a business that demonstrates exceptional support of recreation, amateur sports, arts and culture, charitable groups, or other community efforts in the Battlefords and area.
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Bralin Technology Solutions
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Caleb Village Retirement Community
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Home Hardware Building Centre North Battleford
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Splish Splash Auto, RV & Pet Wash
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Swanson Gryba & Company
Impact Award finalists:
Sponsored by Innovation Federal Credit Union.
Awarded to a charitable or not-for-profit/non-profit business or organization that, with the efforts of their volunteers, displays a commitment to making the Battlefords and area a better place for individuals to grow and thrive through the development and support of a community project or program.
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Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre Inc.
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Battlefords Early Years Family Resource Centre
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Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre Inc.
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BGC Battlefords
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords
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Catholic Family Services of the Battlefords Inc.
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Kanaweyimik Child & Family Services + Western Development Museum Partnership for Reconciliation
Young Entrepreneur Award finalists:
Sponsored by Northwest Community Futures Development Corp.
Awarded to a young entrepreneur (age 35 or under on Dec. 31, 2024) who has established or expanded a business on or before Dec. 31, 2024. The young entrepreneur will have demonstrated signs of success and viability in the venture.
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Amanda Arcand - Bodywise Piercing
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Cayla Ellis - Annette’s School of Dance
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Landon Libbey – Lakeside Environmental Ltd.
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Clarissa and Darvin Scheidl – Birdies Golf Lounge
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Jackson Tady – The Armoury Brewing Co.
Micro Business Award finalists:
Sponsored by TD Canada Trust.
Awarded to a small business or home office, which has demonstrated significant business achievement, sustainable performance, a high level of customer service, innovation, unique differentiation, and community involvement.
Judging will take into account the relative size of business, and all businesses must have five employees or less (including owners) to qualify for this award.
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Birdies Golf Lounge
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Culligan Water – North Battleford
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Eston’s Place
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Jety Builders Ltd.
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Lakeside Environmental Ltd.
Agriculture and Agri-Business Award finalists:
Sponsored by Fisher’s Drug Store.
Awarded to a business recognizing excellence of operating a successful farm or agricultural-related business where diversification, innovation, sound business practices, workplace safety, demonstration of commitment to the environment and community involvement are part of the corporate identity.
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4Suns Ag Solutions Ltd.
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Nachtegaele Agri Services Inc.
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Prairie AG
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Seed 2 Leaf Environmental Consulting Inc.
Members' Choice:
Members’ Choice Award finalists:
Sponsored by Bralin Technology Solutions Ltd.
The Members’ Choice category was introduced in 2022 and is the only category listed that will not be forwarded to the anonymous jury for the selection of the award recipient.
2025 Battlefords & District Chamber of Commerce members will have the opportunity to make their vote known for this award, with the recipient revealed by the sponsor at the awards ceremony.
It's awarded to a venture that has demonstrated excellence and a sustained level of performance in any area of business in the past 12 to 18 months. Chamber members will vote for their peers in this category.
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Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre
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Café 4 U
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Caleb Village Retirement Community
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Fisher’s Drug Store
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The Battlefords Regional News Optimist
In addition to choosing the finalists for the application-based categories, the chamber also announced recipients of two special awards.
These recipients are independently selected by the BBEX Committee for this recognition. The special awards are the Battlefords Business Hall of Fame Award and the Heritage Award.
Battlefords Business Hall of Fame Award – Sponsored by Battlefords & District Chamber of Commerce.
Recipient to be announced.
Heritage Award:
Sponsored by Scotiabank.
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Ultra Print Services Ltd.
The evening is also expected to introduce a Stan Wychopen Memorial BBEX Scholarship recipient from North West College, who will receive a total scholarship of $2,000 toward their business program education.
The BBEX Business of the Year Award, sponsored by the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board, is selected from among the finalists in the open business categories above and will be announced live on Nov. 6.
