Nominations for the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce 2026 Business Excellence Awards are now open!
From trailblazing entrepreneurs to established industry icons, the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce is honouring excellence across 13 distinct categories, each designed to showcase the strengths and spirit of New Westminster’s business community.
This is your moment to applaud success, connect with business leaders, and be part of a night that defines what makes New Westminster extraordinary.
Please fill out the nomination form before the deadline: February 28, 2026 at 11:59pm. The Chamber will contact you thereafter with next steps. Business Excellence Awards – New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Award Category Descriptions:
Bernie Legge Arts & Culture Business of the Year Award
Honours a business that has made a significant impact on the arts and cultural landscape in New Westminster. This award celebrates artists, creativity, and contributions that enrich our City’s local heritage and foster cultural engagement.
Named in honour of Bernie Legge, a well-known theatre artist from New Westminster, this award recognizes nominees whose cultural contributions have left a lasting impact on the community, showcasing the breadth of their influence and the disciplines in which they have excelled.
Community Champion Award
Recognizes a business that demonstrates outstanding commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, community service, volunteerism, and social impact. This award highlights efforts that strengthen community well-being and support of local service agencies and not-for-profit organizations in New Westminster.
Association of the Year
Celebrates an incorporated, registered not-for-profit or society that demonstrates positive community impact and dedication to its mission. This award recognizes organizations that deliver meaningful programs, foster community engagement, and create positive social change.
Environmental Sustainability Award
Honours a business that demonstrates leadership in environmental stewardship. This award recognizes initiatives that reduce ecological impact, promote sustainability, adopt strategies and activities that reduce energy and materials consumption and/or eliminates waste and pollution.
Customer Service Excellence Award
Acknowledges a business that consistently delivers exceptional customer experiences. This award celebrates responsiveness, professionalism, and a commitment to exceeding customer expectations.
Destination Business of the Year
Recognizes a business that attracts visitors and enhances the City’s reputation as a destination. This award celebrates unique offerings, hospitality, and contributions to tourism and local economic growth.
Indigenous Business of the Year
Honours an Indigenous-owned business whose leadership, vision, and operational success exemplify business excellence and strengthens Indigenous identity, culture and economic development within the City of New Westminster.
Small Business of the Year
Celebrates a small business, home-base business, start-up, or sole proprietor in New Westminster that demonstrates outstanding growth, ingenuity, resilience, and contribution to the local economy. This award recognizes creativity, adaptability, and excellence in operations.
Legacy Business of the Year
Acknowledges a long-standing business operating for 25 years or more that has maintained excellence and relevance over time. This award honours sustained success, positive community impact, and a tradition of quality and trust.
Business of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding business that exemplifies excellence in all areas—innovation, customer service, community involvement, sustainability and financial performance. This award represents the highest standard of achievement.
Young Professional of the Year Award
Honours a rising leader under 40 years old who demonstrates exceptional professional achievement early in their career, embodies the qualities of a catalyst for change and connection, and inspires peers to be motivated, involved, and engaged in the New Westminster business community. This award celebrates ambition, leadership, and future potential.
Chamber Member of the Year
Recognizes a member of the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce who actively contributes to the Chamber’s mission and business community initiatives. This award celebrates engagement, advocacy, and leadership within the Chamber network.
Business Leader of the Year
Honours an individual who demonstrates visionary leadership, integrity, and significant contributions to business and community. This award celebrates entrepreneurship, influence, mentorship, community spirit that makes a lasting impact.
Nominee Eligibility Guidelines:
1. Nomination Requirements:
- The award nominees are required to be a member of the New Westminster Chamber in good standing by February 28, 2026.
- The business/organization must also have been operating in New Westminster, hold a valid business license and have no outstanding compliance issues with the City of New Westminster for a minimum of 12 months prior to nomination.
2. Nomination Restrictions:
- Self-nominations are allowed.
- Members of the judging committee cannot be nominated.
- Previous winners are not eligible to be nominated again.
3. Limit on Number of Categories:
- A nominee may enter a maximum of two award categories to keep competition fair.
4. Accuracy of Information:
- All nomination forms must be complete and accurate, and the Chamber reserves the right to verify information.