Whistler Excellence Awards

Diamond Celebration – Honouring 60 Years of Excellence

In 2026, the Whistler Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of supporting Whistler’s business community. The Whistler Excellence Awards are a highlight of this milestone year, recognizing the businesses, organizations and individuals who help make Whistler a vibrant and successful community.

This year’s Diamond Celebration honours the Chamber’s 60-year legacy of fostering business success, leadership, innovation and community impact, while celebrating the people and organizations shaping Whistler’s future.

Delivered in partnership with the Whistler Community Foundation and AWARE, the Whistler Excellence Awards recognize outstanding achievement in business, leadership, service, sustainability, arts and community impact.

Whether you’re nominating a deserving business, entering your own organization, exploring sponsorship opportunities or joining us at the gala celebration, the Whistler Excellence Awards are your opportunity to recognize excellence and celebrate the people shaping Whistler’s future.

Key Dates For 2026

Nominations Open: June 24, 2026
Nominations Close: July 13, 2026
Finalists Announced: August-September 2026
Whistler Excellence Awards Gala: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Want To Get Involved?

Purchase Gala Tickets

Explore sponsorship options

Learn more…

Visit the Awards website

View the 2026 Finalists

Congratulations to the 2026 Whistler Excellence Awards Winners & Finalists!

Business Person of the Year – Presented by BDO

Mei Madden, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation – Winner

Shane Holland, Whistler Hardware Store – Finalist
Bruce Stewart, Nesters Market – Finalist

Emerging Business of the Year – Presented by A Little Bud

Prodigy Wildfire Solutions – Winner

Coast Mountain Disposal – Finalist
Sunii Energy – Finalist

Rising Star of the Year – Presented by Hotel Association of Whistler

T’ec Georgina Dan, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre – Winner

Ania Spencer, Fairmont Chateau Whistler – Finalist
Oscar Krell, OK Home Services – Finalist

Service Excellence – Small Business – Presented by Reactive Media

Whistler Adaptive Sports Program Society – Winner

Coworking Whistler – Finalist
Whistler Happy Pets – Finalist

Service Excellence – Large Business – Presented by Whistler Blackcomb

Hilton Resort & Spa Whistler – Winner

Canadian Wilderness Adventures – Finalist
Wild Blue Restaurant & Bar – Finalist

Sustainability in Action Business, with AWARE, – Presented by Cascade Environmental Resource Group

Nita Lake Lodge – Winner

Heike Designs – Finalist
Four Seasons Resorts and Residences – Finalist

The Champion of Arts & Culture –presented by KR Productions

Coast Mountain Brewing – Winner

Laugh Out LIVE! – Finalist
Whistler Film Festival – Finalist

Citizen of The Year, with Whistler Community Foundation, – presented by Coast Mountain Law

Jennifer Black, Whistler Healthcare Foundation – Winner

Greg McDonnell, McDonnell Counselling – Finalist
Ben & Sarah Hryciw, WORCA – Finalist

Member’s Choice –presented by RBC

Whistler Adaptive Sports Program Society – Winner

Coast Mountain Brewing – Finalist

Mei Madden, Whistler Blalckomb Foundation – Finalist

Shane Holland, Whistler hardware – Finalist

All finalists of the 2026 Whistler Excellence Awards are eligible to proceed to the Members’ Choice Award. A member vote is conducted in September/October. The three individuals / businesses with the most votes go through to the final voting at the gala.

The Gala Celebration

The Whistler Excellence Awards Gala is one of the community’s most anticipated business events, bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, employees, community organizations and partners for an evening of celebration and recognition.

Join us this October as we celebrate 60 years of excellence and honour the finalists and winners who continue to shape Whistler’s future.

Date: October 22, 2026

Time: 5:30pm – 11:00PM

Venue: Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Gala Info & Tickets

Sponsorship Opportunities

Align your brand with one of Whistler’s longest-running and most respected business celebrations.

Award sponsorship provides meaningful exposure before, during and after the event while demonstrating your commitment to the success of our local business community.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Marketing & Events Manager
Whistler Chamber of Commerce

Email Jacquie

Learn more about partnerships

Why Recognition Matters

Being recognized as a Whistler Excellence Award nominee, finalist or winner is an opportunity to celebrate achievements, recognize your team, and elevate your profile within the community.

Benefits include: