It's the premier event of the year for local business leaders, the Business Excellence Awards presented by the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce.
This year's event, honouring current trailblazers and past winners, is planned for May 14 at the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor. An Afterglow Celebration in the Augustus Ballroom will honour past and present visionaries.
In addition to the chamber marking 150 years in 2026, the BEAs are 35 years old.
"Marking 150 years of the chamber and 35 years of the BEAs is not only a tribute to our legacy, but also a promise for the future," said BEA Co-Chair and Chamber Director of Operations, Matthew Dumouchel. "By celebrating today's innovators alongside our storied past, we're cultivating a spirit of resilience and collaboration that will keep Windsor-Essex thriving for generations to come."
Organizers say the celebration will shine a spotlight on two exceptional honourees, Loretta Stoyka, who founded the ATHENA Scholarship Fund, and the Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation. The Zekelmans' foundation will be recognized for its transformative philanthropy, strengthening Windsor-Essex.
Stoyka is the recipient of this year's ATHENA Leadership Award, while the Zekelman Foundation will accept the Spirit of the Community Award.
The winners in the seven other categories will be named during the evening.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, January 30, at WEChamber150.ca.
