Business Excellence Awards | Cheering On Our Fellow Entrepreneurs

There's a particular kind of pride that comes from watching your own community shine — and on June 4, the Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce gives us all a reason to feel it.

I'll be there on the night, alongside Dave Fulford, a cofounding member of AREA 81. If you spot us, come say hello — we'd love to celebrate with you.

About the Business Excellence Awards

The Business Excellence Awards are the Chamber's biggest night of the year: a room full of the people who pour everything into building businesses here, celebrated the way they deserve.

This year's awards drew well over 100 nominations across 14 categories — from Hospitality to Agriculture, Arts and Culture to a brand-new Financial Services award. It's a reminder of just how much grit, creativity, and heart lives in this corner of Grey-Bruce.

At Mi6, we believe rural entrepreneurs are some of the most resourceful builders anywhere — which is why I'm proud that we're presenting the Skilled Trade (1–5 Employees) award this year.

The trades are the backbone of our region — the skilled hands behind the work the rest of us count on every day, whether that's building and fixing our homes or keeping our vehicles safe (and looking sharp) and on the road. Mi6's AREA 81 program is proud to be a sponsor of the Skilled Trades 1 to 5 Employees Category and here are the nominees!

2026 Business Excellence Awards Nominees: Skilled Trades 1 to 5 Employees.

Sponsored by AREA 81.

Every business nominated in this category represents real skill and hard-won craft:

• Meg's Drywall — the drywall specialists behind smooth walls and ceilings across Owen Sound and Grey-Bruce, handling installation, taping, mudding, repairs and finishing for homes, renovations and additions alike. | Learn more.

• Bumstead Brothers Plumbing & Heating — a local plumbing-and-heating company led by Kevin Bumstead, handling plumbing, heating, air conditioning and heat pumps for homes across Owen Sound and the surrounding area. | Learn more.

• Rideout North Construction — carpenter Tim Rideout's licensed shop, known for custom decks, pergolas and shade structures, plus renovations from kitchens and baths to flooring, right across Grey-Bruce. | Learn more.

• Speedy Glass — Owen Sound's auto-glass specialists since 1984, from windshield repair and replacement to side and rear glass and ADAS camera recalibration, getting drivers safely back on the road. | Learn more.

• Papa's Precision Detailing — Owen Sound's detailing pros, with full car detailing, ceramic coating, paint correction and paint protection film that bring vehicles back to a showroom shine. | Learn more.

• Moyse Contracting — a locally owned renovation company led by James Moyse, reworking interiors and exteriors across Grey-Bruce, from decks and siding to basements, trim and full remodels, treating every home as if it were their own. | Learn more.

• Red Apple Electric — led by Heather McIlwee, a third-generation master electrician, bringing skilled, safe electrical work to homes and businesses across the region. | Learn more.

Here's the full line up of the Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce 2026 Business Excellence nominees.

To every one of you: good luck on June 4. Win or not, being recognized by your own community is its own kind of achievement — and you've earned it. And to every business nominated this year, across every category: congratulations. You're the reason this region keeps growing, and we'll be cheering for all of you.

Are You Going?

And if you haven't grabbed a seat yet — there are still a few tickets left. The evening runs Thursday, June 4 from 6 to 10 p.m., and you can register through the Chamber here: 2026 Business Excellence Awards — register. Tickets are $65 for Chamber members and $75 for non-members, with tables of 8 or 10 if you want to bring the whole crew.