Signature Events

The Achievement for Business Excellence (ABEX) Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is presented to a business that has prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives and has moved the needle in their organization or to the community at large.

The 2023 finalists, sponsored by Nutrien, are:

• Fitness 2J2 Ltd. (Saskatoon)
• Harbour Landing Village (Regina)
• Kitsaki Vegetation Services (Saskatoon)
• MAGNUS Construction Services Inc. (Saskatoon)
• WINNER: Tokata HR Solutions (Regina)

The Achievement for Business Excellence (ABEX) Award for Marketing, is awarded to the business demonstrating exceptional performance in the execution of a successful marketing strategy. The jury evaluates the success of a marketing program giving consideration to the nature of the product and the relative size of the business.

The 2023 finalists, sponsored by CN are:

• Crazy Ape Extreme Equipment
• Ehrenburg Homes Ltd.
• WINNER: Harbour Landing Village
• Precision AI
• Synergy Credit Union

The Achievement for Business Excellence Award (ABEX) for Service goes to a business demonstrating exceptional performance in providing quality customer service (wholesale and retail trade, purchasing and distribution, transportation, brokering, professional services, communications, financial, etc.). Judging considers the relative size and particular conditions of the business, as well as the growth potential, stability, investment strategy, and quality of customer service initiatives.

The 2023 finalists, sponsored by KPMG LLP are: 

• Abco Elevator
• Alliance Health Saskatchewan Inc.
• Connected World Translation
• WINNER: The Atlas˚ Hotel
• The Prairie Grazer

The Achievement for Business Excellence (ABEX) Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year is awarded to an entrepreneur between the ages of 18-35 (born after December 31, 1987) who has achieved success in the start-up and operation of a new or existing business. Eligible candidates must offer a product and/or service; have served at least ten customers; have long-term goals, as well as strategies to meet those goals; and, have demonstrated innovation by adapting to market place challenges resulting in a competitive advantage. Special consideration will be given to entrepreneurs who have displayed an innovative approach.

The 2023 finalists, presented by Cameco Corporation are:

• Brianna Dellezay of Saskatchewan Behaviour Consulting
• Kara Montieth & Amber Deschner of Nova Physiotherapy
• Luke Shaheen & Armand Konecsni-Luzny of APEX Active Entertainment Group
• Mitchell Willie of Axis Vac and HDD Services Ltd.
• WINNER: Ryan Skjerdal of Vortex Plumbing & Heating; MegaDry Restoration Services Inc.

The Achievement for Business Excellence (ABEX) Award for Innovation will be presented to a Saskatchewan business that demonstrates excellence in the utilisation of an innovative product, technology or system which has tangibly contributed to improved sales and/or productivity. Judging takes into account the originality of the innovation and its impact.

The 2023 finalists, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic are:

• BetterCart Analytics
• Hillman Audio Video Inc.
• WINNER: Precision AI 
• Three Farmers Foods Inc.
• Waggle Mail

The Achievement for Business Excellence (ABEX) Award for Community Involvement goes to a business demonstrating exceptional performance in its support of the arts and culture, amateur sports, education, healthcare or voluntary groups. Judging takes into account the relative size of the business. Greater consideration is given for involvement that is not an extension of the firm’s main business activities.

The 2023 finalists, sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross are:

• Athabasca Basin Development
• Harbour Landing Village
• Saskatoon Fire and Flood
• Terry Ortynsky’s Royal Ford
• WINNER: Wiegers Financial & Benefits

The Achievement for Business Excellence (ABEX) Award for Growth and Expansion is given to a business that has made significant changes in their business resulting in “Growth” or “Expansion”. Changes may relate to job creation and/or investment.

The 2023 finalists, sponsored by PFM Capital are:

• Ehrenburg Homes Ltd.
• MAGNUS Construction Services Inc.
• WINNER: MegaDry Disaster Restoration Inc.
• Sask Aquatic Adventures
• Saskatoon Fire and Flood

The Achievement for Business Excellence (ABEX) Award for New Venture goes to a new business venture which has been in existence for 3 years or less (January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2021) and which has shown positive performance in terms of current or expected profitability, job creation and/or entry into new markets. Applicants are judged on financial criteria as well as the nature of the new venture and its impact on job creation and market expansion, also taking into account the relative size of the new venture.

The 2023 finalists, sponsored by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development are:

• MegaDry Disaster Restoration Inc.
• WINNER: Phantom Light Distillery
• REV Auto Group Inc.
• The Prairie Grazer
• Vetted HVAC Services Ltd.

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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