Regina, SK – The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Achievement of Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards, along with four special award recipients, including the 2025 inductee into the Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame.

SPECIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame Inductee: Awarded to a long-standing Saskatchewan business that has demonstrated sustained success and made a significant contribution to the province’s economic growth and prosperity.

• Nutrien (Saskatoon)

 

Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan:Presented to an individual who exemplifies outstanding business vision, leadership, and achievement, while serving as a role model and mentor within the business community.

• Scott Banda, Former CEO, Federated Co-operatives Ltd. (Saskatoon)

 

Community Leader of the Year, sponsored by SaskEnergy: Recognizes an individual who has made a positive and lasting impact in Saskatchewan through volunteerism, community leadership, and philanthropy.

• Hon. Vaughn Solomon Schofield, Former Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan (Regina)

 

Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award: Named in honour of former Chamber Board Member and ABEX founder Roger Phillips, this award recognizes an individual who has shown an enduring commitment of time, intelligence, and leadership to strengthening the Chamber network in Saskatchewan.

• Dave Dutchak, Former CEO, MD Ambulance (Saskatoon)

FINALISTS BY CATEGORY

Presented by Conexus Credit Union, the ABEX Awards have celebrated Saskatchewan’s most outstanding businesses and leaders since 1984, recognizing achievements in innovation, community impact, growth and expansion, and more.

Winners in all categories will be announced at the ABEX Awards Gala on September 27, 2025, in Saskatoon.

Community Involvement Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross: Recognizes exceptional support for arts and culture, amateur sports, education, healthcare, or the volunteer sector.

• Lake Country Co-op (Prince Albert)
• Lakefield LLP (Saskatoon)
• Northern Lights Gallery (Melfort)
• Saskatoon Fire & Flood (Saskatoon)
• Wiebe Windows & More Ltd. (Saskatoon)

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award, sponsored by Graham Group: Celebrates businesses prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

• A2SKI Industrial (Saskatoon)
• Lavender Smiles Daycare Inc. (Saskatoon)
• North Fringe Industrial Technologies Inc. (Nipawin)
• STC Industrial Group (Saskatoon)

 

Growth & Expansion Award for Medium & Large Business, sponsored by Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP): Recognizes significant business changes leading to growth or expansion for businesses with 50+ employees.

• Aquifer Group of Companies (Saskatoon)
• Crestline Coach Ltd. (Saskatoon)
• Innovation Federal Credit Union (Swift Current)
• McDougall Auctioneers Ltd. (Emerald Park)
• Saskatoon Fire & Flood (Saskatoon)

 

Growth & Expansion Award for Small Business (<50 employees), sponsored by PFM Capital: Recognizes significant business changes leading to growth or expansion for businesses with <50 employees.

• Atlas York Insurance (Saskatoon)
• Clarity Coaching & Development (Warman)
• Imagine That Media YXE (Saskatoon)
• North Fringe Industrial Technologies Inc. (Nipawin)
• Offstreet (Regina)

 

Innovation Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Polytechnic: Highlights innovative products, technologies, or systems improving sales or productivity.

• Dias Geophysical (Saskatoon)
• Ehrenburg Homes Ltd. (Saskatoon)
• Offstreet (Regina)
• Shercom Industries (Saskatoon)
• The Prairie Grazer (Saskatoon)

 

Marketing Award, sponsored by WJ Agency: Recognizes businesses that have achieved exceptional results through innovative and impactful marketing strategies.

• Atlas York Insurance (Saskatoon)
• Bison Ridge Farms (Prince Albert)
• Dias Geophysical (Saskatoon)
• Pet Planet Prince Albert (Prince Albert)

 

New Venture Award: Recognizes new businesses (three years or less) showing positive performance in profitability, job creation, or market entry.

• Atlas York Insurance (Saskatoon)
• Homes by Lake Country Co-op (Prince Albert)
• Lavender Smiles Daycare Inc. (Saskatoon)
• One Heart Training (Regina)

 

Non-Profit Impact Award, sponsored by Saskatchewan Pension Plan: Recognizes non-profit organizations that have significantly contributed to Saskatchewan’s business landscape through innovative practices and transformative initiatives.

• Discover Saskatoon (Saskatoon)
• SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network Inc. (Saskatoon)
• Saskatchewan Science Centre (Regina)
• Saskatchewan Trucking Association (Regina)
• TCU Place (Saskatoon)

 

Service Award, sponsored by CN: Celebrates businesses providing exceptional customer service.

• Lakeview Fine Foods (Regina)
• Optek Solutions (Corman Park)
• Panko Collaborative Law and Mediation (Saskatoon)
• Pet Planet Prince Albert (Prince Albert)
• The Prairie Grazer (Saskatoon)

 

Sustainability Leadership Award, sponsored by Nutrien: Recognizes businesses that exemplify leadership in integrating sustainability into their core strategies, driving both environmental and economic value.

• Green Smart Windows Doors & Blinds (Regina)
• Greenwave Innovations (Regina)
• NexGen Energy Ltd. (Vancouver / Saskatoon)
• Shercom Industries (Saskatoon)
• The Cheese List (Saskatoon)

 

Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Cameco Corporation: Highlights an entrepreneur (18-35) achieving success in starting and operating a business.

• Denver and Becky Johnson, Bison Ridge Farms (Prince Albert)
• Aaron LeMoal, E.T. Flooring Contracting Ltd. (Prince Albert)
• Nathan Silljer, EDCO Plumbing & Heating (Regina)
• Namrata Sharma & Brianna Dodd, Lavender Smiles Daycare Inc. (Saskatoon)
• Amber Deschner & Kara Montieth, Nova Physiotherapy (Warman)

 

Business of the Year, sponsored by Doane Grant Thornton LLP: Presented to the business that has exhibited exceptional performance in resilience, growth, stability, and overall business excellence. The recipient of this award is selected from all ABEX finalists from the current year, spanning across all application-based categories, and announced live during the ABEX Awards on September 27, 2025.

QUOTES

“The ABEX Awards offer a snapshot of where Saskatchewan is headed. The businesses and individuals on this year’s list are redefining what’s possible in our province. Through bold innovation, strong economic contributions, and long-term community impact, they’re showing us what the future of Saskatchewan business looks like.”

• Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

“Saskatchewan is the home of Nutrien. It’s home to our people, and the resources that enable us to power global agriculture by providing farmers around the world with the products they depend on. From here, we help feed the world. Being inducted into the Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame is an honour which reflects the deep connection we share with this province.”

• Ken Seitz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nutrien

 

The ABEX Awards, presented by Conexus Credit Union, celebrate the success of Saskatchewan businesses. Tickets are on sale now through September 20, 2025. For more information about the ABEX Awards, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales, please visit abex.saskchamber.com.

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ABOUT SASKATCHEWAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is a leading advocate for business in the province, committed to driving economic growth and championing a thriving business community. As the ‘Voice for Saskatchewan Business’, the Chamber represents the interests of over 10,000 individual businesses, industry associations, and local chambers. More information can be found at saskchamber.com or @SaskChamber on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Josie Fries

Senior Director of Marketing and Events

E: jfries@saskchamber.com    |    P: 306-781-3125