Past Recipients of the ABEX Awards

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Since 1984, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of businesses that have consistently demonstrated excellence and innovation in their respective fields. Since 1984, we have been privileged to present the prestigious ABEX Awards, a symbol of distinction that highlights the resilience, vision, and dedication of the entrepreneurial spirit in Saskatchewan.

These awards not only signify business prowess but also embody the spirit of collaboration, growth, and positive impact on our local and global communities. From trailblazing startups to established industry leaders, each recipient has left an indelible mark on Saskatchewan’s economic landscape. Below, you’ll find our winners dating back from 1984 to today.

Table with ABEX Awards

2023

Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP – Harbour Landing Village
Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame, presented by Conexus Credit Union – The Hill Group of Companies
Community Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by SaskEnergy – David Dubé
Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by University of Regina – Tim Gitzel
Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award – Pat Friesen
Innovation Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Precision AI
Marketing Award, sponsored by Discover Saskatoon – Harbour Landing Village
Export Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership – Omitted due to insufficient applications
Community Involvement Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross – Wiegers Financial & Benefits
Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Award, sponsored by Cameco – Ryan Skjerdal of Vortex Plumbing & Heating; MegaDry Restoration Services Inc.
Growth and Expansion Award, sponsored by PFM Capital Inc. – MegaDry Disaster Restoration Inc.
New Venture Award, sponsored by Government of Saskatchewan – Phantom Light Distillery
Service Award, sponsored by KPMG LLP – The Atlas˚ Hotel
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Nutrien – Tokata HR Solutions

2022

Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP – Maven Water & Environment
Community Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by SaskEnergy – Eric Dillon
Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by University of Regina – Valerie Sluth
Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame, presented by Conexus Credit Union – McKercher LLP
Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award – Evan Ortynsky
Innovation Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Custom Agricultural Intelligence
Marketing Award, sponsored by Discover Saskatoon – Sandy Shores Resort & Marina
Export Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership – Canadian Organic Spice & Herb Co.
Community Involvement Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross – Synergy Credit Union
Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Award, sponsored by Cameco – Alicia Soulier, SalonScale Technologies Inc.
Growth and Expansion Award, sponsored by PFM Capital Inc. – Maven Water & Environment
New Venture Award, sponsored by Government of Saskatchewan – Farmer Jane Cannabis Co.
Service Award, sponsored by KPMG LLP – Pet Planet Prince Albert

2021

Business of the Year Award, sponsored by David Aplin Group – Vendasta
Community Leader of the Year Award – Pamela Klein
Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by University of Regina – Murad Al-Katib
Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame, presented by Conexus Credit Union – Novlan Bros.
Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award – Rob Clark
Innovation Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Greenwave Innovations Inc.
Marketing Award, sponsored by Xplornet Enterprise Solutions – Dandy’s Artisan Ice Cream
Export Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership – XPT Grain Inc.
Community Involvement Award, sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP – Avana
Priority Focus Award (Digital Integration), sponsored by Nutrien – Vendasta
Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Award, sponsored by Cameco – Cody Demerais, Limitless Clothing Gear
Growth and Expansion Award, sponsored by PFM Capital Inc. – 9 Mile Legacy Brewing Co.
New Venture Award – Curbie Cars
Service Award sponsored by CN – Clarity Coaching & Development

2020

Business of the Year Award sponsored by David Aplin Group – Dutch Growers
Community Leader of the Year Award – Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cowessess First Nation
Business Leader of the Year Award sponsored by University of Regina – Greg Yuel, PIC Investment Group
Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame – Flaman Group of Companies
Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award – Richard Ahenakew, Northern Lights Casino
Innovation Award sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Deveraux Group of Companies
Marketing Award sponsored by Minard’s Leisure World – Pile O’ Bones Brewing Company
Export Award sponsored by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership – VIDO-InterVac
Community Involvement Award sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP – Spiro’s Family Restaurant
Priority Focus Award (Resilience) – Tangerine Group of Companies
Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Award sponsored by Cameco – The Everyday Kitchen
Growth and Expansion Award sponsored by PFM Capital Inc. – Dutch Growers
New Venture Award – SANOZONE by Ground Effects Environmental Services
Service Award sponsored by CN – Indian Head Bakery
Awards of Merit
- Harbour Landing Village
- Melissa Carson
- Fast Trucking

2019

Business of the Year – JNE Welding Limited.
Innovation Award – Sperling Silver Distillery
New Venture Award – Greenwave Innovations
Community Involvement Award – Spotlight Sport & Corporate Wear
Priority Focus Award – JNE Welding Limited
Marketing Award – Escape Manor
Service Award – CRAVINGS maternity – baby – kids
Growth & Expansion Award – Vendasta
Export Award – Temple Audio Design Inc.
Business Leader of the Year Award – Wayne Clifton
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Chelsey Harder, Passions Beauty Studio
Community Leaders of the Year Award – Wally & Colleen Mah

2018

Business of the Year – Industrial Machine & Mfg. Inc.
Innovation Award – InfraReady Products (1998) Ltd.
New Venture Award – Ironside Energy Services
Community Involvement Award – Affinity Credit Union
Priority Focus Award – Orano Canada Inc.
Marketing Award – Luxury Granite
Service Award – Historic Reesor Ranch
Growth & Expansion Award – Canadian Organic Spice & Herb Co. Inc.
Export Award – Industrial Machine & Mfg. Inc.
Business Leader of the Year Award – Grant J. Kook
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Haylie Lashta, Warman Physiotherapy & Wellness
Community Leader of the Year Award – Donald E. Kramer

2017

Business of the Year – CAA Sakatchewan
Innovation Award – IntraGrain Technologies Inc.
New Venture Award – 9 Mile Legacy Brewing
Community Involvement Award – S & E Trusted Online Directories
Priority Focus Award – North Ridge Development Corporation
Marketing Award – Diamonds of Detroit
Service Award – CAA Saskatchewan
Growth & Expansion Award – The Deveraux Group of Companies
Export Award – Vendasta
Business Leader of the Year Award – Geoff Gay
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Dustin Nehring & Taylor Lang of N.L. Construction Inc.
Community Leader of the Year Award – Chief Tammy Cook-Searson

2016

Business of the Year – Hillberg & Berk
Innovation Award – Hospitality Network Canada (2011) Inc.
New Venture Award – Black Bridge Brewery
Community Involvement Award – Cornerstone Credit Union
Priority Focus Award – Park Town Hotel
Marketing Award – Hillberg & Berk
Service Award – Viterra
Growth & Expansion Award – The Saskatoon Cooperative Association Limited
Export Award – Crestline Coach Ltd
Business Leader of the Year Award – Gavin Semple
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Elysia Vandenhurk and Natasha Vandenhurk (Three Farmers Products)
Community Cornerstone Award – Standard Motors

2015

Business of the Year – Minard’s Leisure World
Innovation Award – Bioriginal Food & Science Corp.
New Venture Award – W Bridals ~ Curvy Couture
Community Involvement Award – P.A.R Contracting
Priority Focus Award – Display Systems International Inc.
Marketing Award – Minard’s Leisure World
Service Award – North Ridge Development
Growth & Expansion Award – TA Foods
Export Award – CanMar Grain Products Ltd.
Business Leader of the Year Award – Joel Teal
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Steve McKenna – McKenna Distribution, Luxury Granite and R&M Flooring
Community Cornerstone Award – Midwest Furniture & Appliances

2014

Business of the Year – Yorkton Plumbing & Heating
Innovation Award – Peachy Printer
New Venture Award – Quickthree Solutions
Community Involvement Award – Redhead Equipment
Environment Award – Three Farmers Products
Marketing Award – S&E Trusted Online Directories
Service Award – Yorkton Plumbing & Heating
Growth & Expansion Award – NL Construction
Export Award – Push Interactions Inc.
Business Leader of the Year Award – Paul J. Hill, The Hill Companies
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Jessica Tetu – Just for You Day Spa & Gift Studio
Community Cornerstone Award – Ted Matheson Men’s Wear

2013 and earlier

Winners dating back to the first ABEX Awards in 1984 can be found here.

Past ABEX Recipients

Special Award Categories

The below award categories are carefully selected each year by the ABEX Judging Committee, comprised of Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Past-Presidents. These individuals are industry experts, thought leaders, and seasoned professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the evaluation process. Browse our special award winners below.

Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame Inductees

1990: Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, McCallum Hill Limited, Flexi-Coil Ltd.
1991: Federated Co-operatives Limited
1992: Athabasca Airways Ltd. (- Transwest Air)
1993: Intercontinental Packers Limited (Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods Inc.)
1994: Morris Industries Ltd.
1995: The Concorde Group of Companies
1996: IPSCO Inc.
1997: Nelson Lumber Company Ltd.
1998: Kramer Ltd.
1999: Early’s Farm & Garden Centre Inc.
2000: El-Rancho Food Services Ltd.
2001: Bourgault Industries Ltd.
2002: IMC Potash
2003: Cameco Corporation
2004: PIC Investment Group Inc.
2005: Brandt Group of Companies
2006: PCL Construction Management Inc.
2007: Yanke Group of Companies
2008: Doepker Industries
2009: Rawlco Radio
2010: Miners Construction Co. Ltd.
2011: Weyburn Inland Terminal
2012: Potash Corp. Of Saskatchewan
2013: Anderson Pump House
2014: M.D. Ambulance Care
2015: Graham
2016: Prairie Mud Service
2017: AREVA Resources Canada
2018: Meridian Surveys Inc.
2019: O & T Farms Ltd.
2020: Flaman Sales
2021: Novlan Brothers Sales
2022: McKercher LLP
2023: The Hill Companies

Business of the Year Award

1984: Develcon
1985: North Canada Air Ltd. (Norcanair)
1986: Intercontinental Packers
1987: Humboldt Flour Mills
1988: Weyerhauser Canada Ltd., Saskatchewan Division
1989: Doepker Industries Ltd.
1990: N. Yanke Transfer Ltd.
1991: Great Western Brewing Company Ltd.
1992: Spar Group Ltd.
1993: Brandt Industries Ltd.
1994: Thomson Meats Ltd.
1995: Cameco Corporation
1996: Software 2000 Inc.
1997: WaveCom Electronics Inc.
1998: Cover-All Business Systems
1999: Superior Millwork Ltd.
2000: Weyerhauser Saskatchewan Ltd.
2001: Doepker Industries Ltd.
2002: Nexans Canada Inc.
2003: Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation
2004: Saskcan Pulse Trading Inc.
2005: VCom Inc.
2006: Eagle Drilling Service
2007: Partners In Motion
2008: The Mosaic Company
2009: North Ridge Development Corporation
2010: Jay’s Moving and Storage Ltd.
2011: Magna Electric
2012: Alliance Grain Traders
2013: Diamonds of Detroit AND Alliance Energy
2014: Yorkton Plumbing & Heating
2015: Minard’s Leisure World
2016: Hillberg & Berk
2017: CAA Saskatchewan
2018: Industrial Machine and Manufacturing Inc.
2019: JNE Welding Ltd.
2020: Dutch Growers
2021: Vendasta
2022: Maven Water and Environment
2023: Announced September 16, 2023

ABEX Business Leader of the Year Recipients

2006 Shaun Semple, Brandt Tractor Ltd.
2007 Walter Mah, North Ridge Development
2008 Dennis Goll, West Wind Aviation
2009 Clay Dowling – Ghost Transportation Services
2010 Harry Watson, Triple 4 Advertising Ltd.
2011 Jerry Grandey, Cameco Corp.
2012 Holly Hetherington, David Aplin Group
2013 Ron Carson, Carson Energy Services Ltd.
2014: Paul J. Hill, The Hill Companies
2015: Joel Teal
2016: Gavin Semple, Brandt
2017: Geoff Gay, Athabasca Basin Development
2018: Grant J. Kook, Westcap Management
2019: Wayne Clifton, Clifton & Associates
2020: Greg Yuel, PIC Investment Group
2021: Murad Al-Katib, AGT Foods
2022: Valerie Sluth, Praxis Consulting
2023: Tim Gitzel, Cameco Corporation

ABEX Community Leader of the Year Recipients

2017: Chief Tammy Cook Searson
2018: Donald E. Kramer
2019: Walter & Colleen Mah
2020: Chief Cadmus Delorme
2021: Pamela Klein
2022: Eric Dillon
2023: David Dubé

Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award

The Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award is presented to a person with a long-standing history of committing time, intelligence and leadership to the chamber network across Saskatchewan.

2014: Ted Hillstead
2015: Bob Schutznan
2016: Pat Tenney
2017: Kent Smith-Windsor
2018: Linda Machniak
2019: John Hopkins
2020: Richard Anenakew
2021: Rob Clark
2022: Evan Ortynsky
2023: Pat Friesen

For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, contact:

Josie Fries

Director of Marketing and Events

306-781-3125

jfries@saskchamber.com