2026 Excellence on the Lake Business Awards Gala: Award Winners & Event Photographs

🌟 CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN SLAVE LAKE'S LOCAL BUSINESSES 🌟

The Excellence On The Lake Business Award Gala was an incredible night to remember! On May 09, 2026, we celebrated the businesses and leaders who are building strong relationships, creating opportunity, and showing what’s possible right here in Slave Lake. These awards recognize dedication, resilience, innovation, and heart. 

CELEBRATING LOCAL SUCCESSES

The gala recognized the outstanding achievements of local businesses, organizations, and individuals who continue to make a meaningful impact on our region’s economy and community. Held at the Legacy Centre, the gala brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, community members, and supporters for an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership in the Slave Lake business community.

Guests enjoyed an elegant evening featuring a fine-dining 4-course meal, live entertainment by the Richard Woodman Band, and the presentation of awards across multiple award categories.

Throughout the evening, attendees gathered to honour the passion, resilience, and dedication of local businesses and professionals. The event showcased the incredible talent and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to strengthen and grow our community.

** Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the gallery of photos from the event.

Click here to see the list of all 2026 Award Nominees

We are proud to present the Winners for the 2026 Business Awards by award category below.

2026 AWARD WINNERS BY AWARD CATEGORY

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARD

This award recognizes a business in the hospitality or tourism sector that consistently delivers outstanding customer experiences, contributes positively to local tourism, demonstrates innovative and unique offerings, and engages in community engagement and local support. The winners of this award are known for creating memorable experiences and setting the standard for service excellence in the region.

The winners of the Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Delhi to Lahore

🥈 SILVER: Susan's Kitchen

🥉 BRONZE: Wonderland Indoor Playground

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL AWARD

This award honors a retail business that excels in customer service, offers high-quality products and well-curated selections, maintains an attractive and welcoming store environment, demonstrates creativity and adaptability, and actively engages with the community. The winners of this award are known for creating exceptional shopping experiences and contributing positively to the local business landscape. 

The winners of the Excellence in Retail Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Hyper Games Chamber

🥈 SILVER: BWorthy Bra Boutique

🥉 BRONZE: Spot On Laser Engraving & Cedarland Perfumes

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS AWARD

This award celebrates businesses or professionals in the health, beauty and wellness sector who provide high-quality care, deliver exceptional client experiences, innovate in their practices, actively engage with the community, and maintain the highest professional and safety standards. The winners of this award are known for making a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of their clients and the broader community. 

The winners of the Excellence in Health, Beauty, & Wellness Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Downtown Physiotherapy & Wellness Clinic

🥈 SILVER: Pharmasave Slave Lake

🥉 BRONZE: Aurora Physiotherapy Slave Lake

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AWARD

This award honors professionals or firms in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, or mortgage services that provide outstanding client service, demonstrate expertise and ethical practices, solve problems innovatively, and engage meaningfully with the community and their industry. The winners of this award are known for their professionalism, reliability, and positive influence in their field.

The winners of the Excellence in Professional Services Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Northern Smiles & Pediatric Dental

🥈 SILVER: Debbie Jacobsen Dominion Lending

🥉 BRONZE: Co-operators

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN LARGE INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS AWARD

This award recognizes large industrial businesses (15+ employees) that demonstrate strong performance and reliability, uphold rigorous safety and compliance standards, innovate technologically and operationally, and invest in workforce development. The winners of this award are known for their leadership and community impact.

The winners of the Excellence in Large Industrial Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Vanderwell Contractors (1971) Ltd.

🥈 SILVER: Eagletech Electric Ltd.

🥉 BRONZE: Prax Enterprises

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN SMALL INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS AWARD

This award recognizes small industrial businesses (<15 employees) that demonstrate strong performance and reliability, maintain high safety and compliance standards, high quality of products and services, and engage and develop their workforce. The winners of this award are known fortheir leadership and community impact.

The winners of the Excellence in Small Industrial Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Bulldog Truck Stuff & Containments

🥈 SILVER: Impact Distributors Ltd.

🥉 BRONZE: JG Safety Consulting

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN HOME-BASED BUSINESS AWARD

This award celebrates home-based businesses that deliver high-quality products or services, provide exceptional customer experiences, and demonstrate creativity and community impact. The winners of this award are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, resourcefulness, and impact in the community.

The winners of the Excellence in Home-Based Business Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Capture Me Photobooth

🥈 SILVER: Ula’s Active Rehabilitation

🥉 BRONZE: Snip’n Dash

🏆 EXCELLENCE IN INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AWARD

This award celebrates Indigenous-owned businesses that demonstrate high-quality products and services, deliver outstanding customer experiences, actively promote and integrate Indigenous culture, and demonstrate community impact. The winners of this award are known for their leadership, cultural promotion, and positive impact on both the Indigenous and wider community.

The winners of the Excellence in Indigenous Business Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Truly Creative Marketing

🥈 SILVER: Northern Smiles and Pediatrics Dental

🥉 BRONZE: Slave Lake Apple Drugs

🏆 LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award honors individuals or businesses with a long-standing history of innovation and adaptability, strong customer service experiences, and a legacy in their field. Nominees demonstrate exceptional customer service, adaptability, innovation, and significant community impact. The winners of this award are recognized for a lifetime of achievement and contributions that have positively shaped the business and community landscape.

The winners of the Legacy of Excellence Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Susan’s Kitchen

🥈 SILVER: Samka Holdings Ltd.

🏆 COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

This award recognizes individuals or non-profit organizations that make a significant and measurable impact in the community. Nominees engage meaningfully with the community, provide services that meet critical unmet needs, collaborate effectively with partners, and ensure that their contributions are sustainable and long-lasting. The winners of this award are known for creating a positive, transformative change within the community.

The winners of the Community Impact Award 2026 are:

🏅 GOLD: Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre

🥈 SILVER: Strive Hoops

🥉 BRONZE: Lesser Slave Lake Regional Arts Council

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

The success of the gala would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors, partners, volunteers, and attendees.

We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to our:

• Platinum Sponsor:

  • Impact Distributors Ltd.

• Gold Sponsors:

  • Can-West Corporate Air Charters

  • Truly Creative Marketing

  • H & H Decor

• Bronze Sponsors:

  • Co-operators

  • Business Factory

• Award Sponsors:

  • Kal Tire

  • Boston Pizza

  • Mathieu Hryniuk LLP

  • Rebryna Dana LLP

  • Royal LePage Progressive Realty

  • Slave Lake Apple Drugs

  • Vanderwell Contractors

  • Community Futures LSLR

  • Whitecap Chevrolet Buick

• Decorations:

  • H & H Decor

• Catering:

  • Josh & Susan Friesen

• Sound Technician:

  • Mike Brazeau

• Bar Services:

  • Elks Club

• Coat Check Services:

  • Sponsored by Royal LePage Progressive Realty

  • Operated by the Slave Lake Gymnastics Club

• Food Service:

  • St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy students for serving and looking after the guests during the dinner 

• Designated Drivers:

  • Lakeside Ford

• Door Prize Donations:

  • Susan's Kitchen

  • Downtown Physiotherapy & Wellness Clinic

  • Eagletech Electric Ltd.

  • PRAX Enterprises

  • Sobeys

We are incredibly grateful for everyone who helped make the evening a success and for the continued support of our local business community.

LOOKING AHEAD

As we reflect on another successful gala, we remain inspired by the innovation, determination, and community spirit demonstrated by businesses throughout the region.

We look forward to continuing to celebrate and support local business excellence in the years ahead.

About Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region and Slave Lake & District Chamber of Commerce

Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region and the Slave Lake & District Chamber of Commerce are dedicated to supporting and strengthening local businesses, entrepreneurs, and economic development opportunities within the Slave Lake region. Through programs, events, partnerships, and resources, we work to foster growth, innovation, and community success.

Click here to learn more!