Frontenac County 2026 Business Awards

Celebrate Frontenac Businesses!

The 2026 Frontenac County Business Awards celebrate local businesses and entrepreneurs who demonstrate the spirit of the Frontenac brand and support the Frontenac community. These individuals demonstrate invaluable contributions by demonstrating the qualities of partnership, leadership, community building, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

We all regularly connect with a variety of businesses in our community. Consider some of the business interactions you have had in Frontenac County and take a few minutes to nominate a business for one of the 7 awards before October 28, 2026.

Celebrating businesses with the 2026 Frontenac County Business Awards is an honour as they all work to make Frontenac such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Winners will receive a one-of-a-kind locally created award, designed by Debra Krakow, a Frontenac County artist, to display in their business and a photography session.

Nominations are open for 2026 awards in the following 7 categories:

  • Business of the Year,
  • New Business,
  • Partnership and Collaboration,
  • Innovation in Sustainability,
  • Women-Led Business,
  • Tourism Business,
  • Accessibility.

New this year!

Tourism Business Award - The Tourism Business Award, presented by OHTO and RTO9 Tourism Organizations, celebrates a business that has demonstrated excellence in creating memorable visitor experiences while contributing to the growth and promotion of Frontenac as a tourism destination.

Accessibility Award - In partnership with the Frontenac County Accessibility Advisory Committee, we are including the Accessibility Award as part of the Business Awards. The Accessibility Award recognizes businesses or organizations that have made or are making a contribution beyond legislated requirements towards improving accessibility for all in Frontenac.

Award winners will be announced at the Frontenac County Business Award Celebration event on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Celebrate Frontenac Businesses!

The 2026 Frontenac County Business Awards celebrate local businesses and entrepreneurs who demonstrate the spirit of the Frontenac brand and support the Frontenac community. These individuals demonstrate invaluable contributions by demonstrating the qualities of partnership, leadership, community building, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

We all regularly connect with a variety of businesses in our community. Consider some of the business interactions you have had in Frontenac County and take a few minutes to nominate a business for one of the 7 awards before October 28, 2026.

Celebrating businesses with the 2026 Frontenac County Business Awards is an honour as they all work to make Frontenac such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Winners will receive a one-of-a-kind locally created award, designed by Debra Krakow, a Frontenac County artist, to display in their business and a photography session.

Nominations are open for 2026 awards in the following 7 categories:

  • Business of the Year,
  • New Business,
  • Partnership and Collaboration,
  • Innovation in Sustainability,
  • Women-Led Business,
  • Tourism Business,
  • Accessibility.

New this year!

Tourism Business Award - The Tourism Business Award, presented by OHTO and RTO9 Tourism Organizations, celebrates a business that has demonstrated excellence in creating memorable visitor experiences while contributing to the growth and promotion of Frontenac as a tourism destination.

Accessibility Award - In partnership with the Frontenac County Accessibility Advisory Committee, we are including the Accessibility Award as part of the Business Awards. The Accessibility Award recognizes businesses or organizations that have made or are making a contribution beyond legislated requirements towards improving accessibility for all in Frontenac.

Award winners will be announced at the Frontenac County Business Award Celebration event on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

  • CLOSED: This nomination has concluded.

    Frontenac County Business of the Year Award

    Frontenac County Business of the Year Award   

    Please review the criteria for the award. 

    This award will go to the business that best embodies the spirit of Frontenac County, based on the nominations received. 

    This business demonstrates the following: 

    • A leader that fosters a connection to develop supportive relationships and demonstrates collaboration with other businesses and community organizations. 
    • Promotes Frontenac County through the support they demonstrate for their community.

    • Offers a contribution to the Frontenac community in one or multiple ways, through community connection, marketing and promotion, leadership, mentorship, and support of other businesses in our community.   

    • Has provided innovative ways to make a positive impact in the community through volunteer, financial contributions or other initiatives. 

    Please include examples and show how the business demonstrates the qualities outlined.


  • CLOSED: This nomination has concluded.

    New Business Award

    New Business Award

    Please review the criteria for the award when nominating a business.  

    This award will go to a new business in Frontenac that has been open no less than one year and no more than three years. A new business in Frontenac that has made an impact on our community.  

    This business demonstrates the following: 

    • A strong sense of community, innovation, and leadership.  

    • A culture of trail-blazing and leading with new innovative ideas or approaches to business and the services offered. 

    • Achieved success through their unique business.  

    • Frontenac approach to business.  

    Please include examples and show how the business demonstrates the qualities outlined.




  • CLOSED: This nomination has concluded.

    Partnership and Collaboration Award

    Partnership and Collaboration Award

    Please review the criteria for the award when nominating a business.  

    This award will go to celebrate the business who demonstrates success by working together with other businesses or community organizations in Frontenac.  Partnerships and collaboration are the foundation of innovation and connections for Frontenac businesses.

    This business demonstrates the following: 

    • A connection with other businesses and community organizations through partnerships and collaboration. 

    • New local products or experiences they are part of with other community members. 

    • Ideas and offerings to other businesses and the public of innovative ways to work collaboratively on business initiatives, events or in other ways that benefit the community. 

    • Support the community, other businesses, or organizations through operational successes.  

    Please include examples and show how the business demonstrates the qualities outlined.

  • CLOSED: This nomination has concluded.

    Innovation in Sustainability Award

    Innovation in Sustainability Award

    Please review the criteria for the award when nominating a business.  

    The Innovation in Sustainability Award nominees are business operators in Frontenac who demonstrates through their work and business, a commitment to preserving and protecting the natural environment that makes Frontenac County so special.

    Innovation in Sustainability covers many areas and could include one or more of the following:

    • Demonstrates and leads the way in environmental stewardship,
    • Uses sustainable design of lands or buildings for business purposes,
    • Considers climate action, 
    • Leads the way with sustainable sourcing of products, 
    • Demonstrates social responsibility, 
    • Uses environmental or 'green' practices within your business.

    Please include examples and show how the business demonstrates the qualities outlined.



      

     

  • CLOSED: This nomination has concluded.

    Women-Led Business Award

    Women-Led Business Award

    Please review the criteria for the award when nominating a business.

    This award will go to celebrate the business who demonstrates success by working together with other businesses community organizations in Frontenac.  

    This Women-Led business demonstrates the following: 

    • A connection with other businesses and community organizations.  
    • New products or experiences they are part of. 
    • Offerings to the public or innovative ideas to work collaboratively. 
    • Support of the community, other businesses, or organizations through operational successes. 

    Please include examples and show how the business demonstrates the qualities outlined.

  • CLOSED: This nomination has concluded.

    Tourism Business Award

    Tourism Business Award   

    Please review the criteria for the award. 

    Presented by RTO9 and Ontario Highlands Tourism, this award will go to a tourism business that has demonstrated excelling in creating memorable visitor experiences while contributing to the growth and promotion of Frontenac as a tourism destination. 

    This business demonstrates the following: 

    • Delivers outstanding customer service and memorable experiences through its attractions, accommodations, products, services, and/or events marketed to visitors. 
    • Promotes Frontenac County, showcases the region's unique assets and attractions, and encourages visitors to explore and connect with the destination. 

    • Works collaboratively with tourism partners, businesses, community organizations, and/or events through partnerships that strengthen the tourism community in Frontenac County. 

    • Demonstrates innovation and leadership though new or enhanced experiences, offerings and/or initiatives that enhance Frontenac's reputation and long-term sustainability as a tourism destination.

    Please include examples and show how the business demonstrates the qualities outlined.


  • CLOSED: This nomination has concluded.

    Accessibility Award

    Accessibility Award   

    Please review the criteria for the award. 

    This award recognizes businesses or organizations that have made or are making a significant contribution beyond legislated requirements, towards improving accessibility for all in Frontenac.  

    “Access” can include designing new or renovated buildings, and employment programs, transportation access, a recreational or leisure program, or anything that contributes significantly to persons with disabilities living independently.    

    This Accessibility Award recipient demonstrates the following: 

    • Innovation and creativity in preventing, identifying and removing barriers to accessibility.  
    • Enhances accessibility for persons with disabilities.  
    • Improves the quality of life for persons with disabilities.  
    • Develops and delivers interesting and effective awareness about disability and accessibility issues  

    The Accessibility Award recipient will be selected by the Frontenac Accessibility Advisory Committee (FAAC).  

    Please include examples and show how the business demonstrates the qualities outlined.


Page last updated: 28 Oct 2026, 10:01 AM