The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 42^nd annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards, presented by RBC Royal Bank. The winners of each category will be unveiled at the Chamber’s yearly awards gala at Carmen’s Event Centre on Wednesday, April 1. Secure a table or purchase your ticket before the event sells out.

Outstanding Business Achievement Award nominees were evaluated and scored by a panel of judges on criteria including entrepreneurship and innovation, employee relations, promotion of Hamilton, excellence in community relations, and evidence of alignment with their mission statement. In addition to Citizen of the Year and Executive of the Year, seven award recipients will be recognized on April 1. 

Last week, the Hamilton Chamber named labour leader and community champion, Joseph Mancinelli, Hamilton Citizen of the Year and HOPA Port’s President & CEO, Ian Hamilton, as Hamilton’s Executive of the Year. Click here to read more.

2026 Recipients & Finalists:

Hamilton Citizen of the Year Recipient:

• Joseph Mancinelli | LiUNA’s International VP, Canadian Director and Regional Manager for Central and Eastern Canada

Hamilton Executive of the Year Recipient:

• Ian Hamilton | President & CEO of HOPA Ports 

Century Award Recipient: Celebrating100+ Years in Business 

• Ross & McBride LLP

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Award Recipient: Supporting the creation of inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplaces

• Keetup Publishing House

Large Business Award Finalists: Profit-centred private business organization with50+ employees

• AIM Recycling Hamilton
• Lawrie Insurance Group
• Pinchin Ltd.

Mid-Sized Business Award Finalists: Profit-centred private business organization with10-50 employees

• Green Storage Hamilton
• Hamilton International Airport
• Launchit Solutions

Small Business Award Finalists: Profit-centred private business organization with 1-10 employees

• AIDA | Academy of Imagination & Dramatic Arts
• Draga Vision Care
• Open Road Systems Inc.

Not-For-Profit Organization Award Finalists: Non-profit organizations making an impact in the community 

• Hamilton/Burlington SPCA
• Hamilton Food Share
• St. Matthew’s House

YEP Award Finalists: Entrepreneur Under 40

• MINA Medical Marketing
• Proactively Social
• Roya Supermarket

2026 Judging Committee
This year’s nominees were evaluated by a local and diverse set of business experts, ranging from private and public sector, including representation from large and small business.

• Norm Schleehahn | Director of Economic Development, City of Hamilton
• Anita Singh | VP, Greater Hamilton Commercial, RBC Royal Bank
• Lohifa Pogoson Acker | Founder, Excel in Style 
• Tej Sandhu | Entrepreneur in Residence, DeGroote School of Business 
• Fil Pimentel | Director, KPMG

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