The annual KDCC Business Excellence awards took place on Friday at Seven Generations Education Institute celebrating another year of business in the Kenora area. A number of businesses were nominated in 12 categories.
2026 KDCC Business Excellence Award Winners
• Inclusive Employer Excellence – Image One Home & Cottage
• New Business – Studio Fitness Co.
• Skilled Trades Excellence – Sunset Country Heating & Cooling
• Tourism / Hospitality – LOTW Marina & Service Centre
• Innovative Small Business – Northern Airworks Inc.
• Indigenous Business – Devil’s Gap Marina
• Business Owner / Entrepreneur / Manager of the Year – Ericka Anderson, Willow Aesthetics
• Customer Service Excellence (Staff up to 10) – Northern Sounds & Systems
• Customer Service Excellence (Staff over 10) – MNP LLP
• Community Spirit – The Core: Health & Fitness
• Business Improvement – Dearborn Therapy
• Youth Entrepreneur – 30 and Under – Shae Lofgren Psychotherapy
• Andy Scribilo Lifetime Achievement Award – Andy Scribilo
Locally on Wauzhushk Onigum, Devils Gap Marina won in the Indigenous Business Category. 101.3 The Gap and The Reef Store we’re also nominated in the new business category (101.3) and the Indigenous Business category (Reef).
This year marked the first awards ceremony without longtime president of the Kenora Chamber of Commerce, Andy Scribilo who passed away suddenly in December of 2025. The ceremony honoured Andy with the new Andy Scribilo Lifetime Achievement Award which will be handed out each year to recognizes long-time pioneer businesspeople who have built a positive reputation through meaningful community involvement, volunteer service, and demonstrated leadership.
