More than 300 business and community leaders packed the Lloyd Ex’s WLS Convention Centre as the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce honoured the city’s top entrepreneurs, organizations and innovators at the 2025 Business Excellence Awards.
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The annual gala, held on Oct. 30, is one of the chamber’s signature events and recognizes the businesses and individuals whose work helps drive the region’s economic strength and community spirit.
“It’s me and my team’s favourite night of the year because we get to celebrate our local businesses,” said Teri-Lynn MacKie, executive director of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce. “We work quite hard to get the evening to look like it’s a big celebration, but it’s the community that comes forward to nominate the businesses.”
Business Excellence Awards. Photo courtesy – Videre Images
This year saw more than 57 businesses nominated across multiple categories, all put forward by members of the public.
“We were so excited to see the winners,” MacKie added. “But anybody that was a part of it, they were nominated by the public. How fantastic is that?”
From MacKie’s perspective, the outlook for business in Lloydminster is bright.
“It looks amazing,” she said. “We have amazing entrepreneurs and amazing people that are willing to put their heart and their finances on the line to keep us growing as a community.”
She pointed to the Small Business Award category as an example of the depth of talent in the region, noting the impressive mix of nominees.
“When you look at the nominees for the Small Business Award alone — DNA Optometry, Flowers on the Fly by Audina, Hands on Wellness, Mr. Bill’s Restaurant, Pet Planet, Pure Vibe Studio, The Tent Guys — they could have all won,” she said. “They are all fantastic businesses in our community that have made us who we are.”
With strong nominations, packed attendance, and clear enthusiasm from both organizers and attendees, the 2025 Business Excellence Awards underscored what many in the room already knew: local business in Lloydminster isn’t just thriving, it’s helping define the spirit of the community.
And the winners are …
Entrepreneur of the Year – GMACK Oilfield Services
Workplace Excellence Award – Servus Credit Union
Integrity Award – Transition Health and Wellness
Startup Business of the Year – Summit Sport Performance and Vision Training
Customer Service Award – Guardian Plumbing and Heating
Non-profit of the Year – Lloydminster Rescue Squad
Small Business of the Year – Pet Planet
Community Champion Award – Classic Oilfield
Downtown Business of the Year – Furniture Gallery
Think Lloyd First Ambassador Award – Michelle Benning (Fort Pitt Development)
Businesswoman of the Year – Nina Ellis (Performance Business Consulting)
Business of the Year – Lloydminster and District Co-op
Dr. Richard Starke was the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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