On October 24, 2025 the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce hosted the 17th Annual Community and Business Achievement Awards Gala, recognizing excellence throughout Haliburton County. Congratulations to this year’s nominees and winners listed below:
Highlander of the Year – Nominees: Andrew Hodgson, Barb Smith-Morrison, David & Betty Mills, Lee Train, Jessica Slade, Mathew Renda, Shay-Lynn Hutchings. Awarded to Andrew Hodgson
Business Woman of the Year – Nominees: Brandi Hewson; Britt Thomas; Chelsea Adamson; Deborah Banks; Kelsey Sharpless; Nicole Mee; Sandra Prozak; Shay-Lynn Hutchings; Tamara Skoretz Awarded to Nicole Mee, Forest Lane Counselling
Customer Service – Business – Nominees: Haliburton County Chiropractic and Rehabilitation; Haliburton County Development Corporation; Kohara + Co/WAI Products Ltd.; Lakeview Motel; Northern HVAC Co. Awarded to Northern HVAC Co.
Customer Service – Employee – Nominees: John Watson; Kayla Gardiner; Laureen Roberts; Nicole Baxter; Jessica Shaw; Tamara Bain Awarded to John Watson, Sweat Social Health & Fitness
Employer of the Year – Nominees: Boshkung Brewing Co., Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre; Brandi Hewson; Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) Awarded to Boshkung Brewing Co.
Established Business of the Year – Nominees:Thomas Contracting; WAI Products Ltd.; Wind In The Willows Spa Awarded to Wind In The Willows Spa
Individual Leadership Business Achievement – Nominees: Brandi Hewson, Chelsea Adamson , Mathew Renda
Awarded to Brandi Hewson, WAI Products Ltd/Kohara + Co.
Industry and Skilled Trades of the Year – Nominees: Cedar Winds Design-Build; Hodgkinson Builds; Justin Rowden of JR Masonry; Kohara + Co Awarded to Hodgkinson Builds
New Business of the Year – Nominees: Haliburton Paddle Shop; Hook Line & Sinker; Kohara + Co; Haliburton Village Pharmacy; Sandy Lane Resort; Techmedix Awarded to Haliburton Village Pharmacy
Not-For-Profit of the Year – Nominees: Brooksong Retreat & Cancer Support Centre; Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation; Haliburton Highlands Healthy Democracy Project; Haliburton Youth Unlimited – The Bridge Youth Centre; Haliburton County Snowmobile Association; Pride In The Highlands; Snowflake Meadows Rescue Awarded to Haliburton Youth Unlimited – The Bridge Youth Centre
Professional Services Business of the Year – Nominees: Forest Lane Counselling; Haliburton County Chiropractic and Rehabilitation; Kohara + Co Awarded to Haliburton County Chiropractic and Rehabilitation
Retail Business of the Year – Nominees: Boshkung Brewing Co.; Coneybeare’s Butcher Shop; Kohara + Co Awarded to Coneybeare’s Butcher Shop
Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year– Nominees: Blairhampton Golf Club; Boshkung Brewing Co.; Juna; Hook Line & Sinker; Sandy Lane Resort; The Haliburton Post House Awarded to the Haliburton Post House
Young Professional of the Year – Nominees: Kirstley Dams; Chelsea Adamson; Emery Bagshaw; Kayla Gardiner; Malcolm Cockwell; Mathew Renda; Tamara Bain Awarded to Chelsea Adamson, Sweat Social Health & Fitness
Warden’s Award – Awarded to Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Centre