Accolades Contest 2026 – List of Categories
Export
This award recognizes a company that has distinguished itself through the growth and impact of its international sales, particularly in the export of products and/or services.
The recipient will have demonstrated an export initiative that is both innovative and profitable.
The company is known for its excellence in developing significant markets outside of Quebec, whether through direct exports, international investments, or the establishment of distribution centers or production facilities in foreign markets.
The award also highlights the company’s commitment to deploying resources and strategic initiatives that showcase its expertise and products beyond its region, thereby strengthening its presence in global markets.
Industrial & Manufacturing
This recognition award will be presented to a company operating in one of the following activity sectors: industrial, manufacturing, fabrication, production, processing, and/or distribution. The company stands out for the excellence and exceptional quality of its achievements in the field of resource processing, product manufacturing, or material production.
The winner must demonstrate remarkable expertise in optimizing its production processes, whether through innovation in manufacturing methods, the use of advanced technologies, in the distribution of products, services, vehicles, or transportation solutions, have successfully combined to the competitiveness of their sector by the exceptional quality of the products made.
This award recognizes companies that have successfully combined performance, innovation and original methods used to ensure an optimal customer experience, thereby ensuring consumer satisfaction and loyalty and sustainability in manufacturing, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of their sector while meeting market demands and environmental challenges.
Innovations & Technologies
This award recognizes a company that has demonstrated outstanding innovation in creating new products, processes, or technologies through efficiency and impact. The recipient has successfully integrated cutting-edge technological solutions that make a meaningful impact on their industry or society.
Eligible innovations include design, technical development, and continuous improvement, and must have been on the market for at least 6 months, providing their viability, market acceptance, and tangible results.
This award celebrates a company that turns bold ideas into practical, high-performing solutions, driving technological progress and enhancing sector competitiveness.
Sustainable Development
This award recognizes a company that stands out for its commitment to sustainable development, particularly through the implementation of a lifecycle management approach for its products, services, or processes.
The award highlights concrete actions aimed at reducing environmental impact at every stage of the lifecycle, from design and production to use, recycling, and end-of-life.
The recipient will have demonstrated substantial efforts to minimize their ecological footprint, whether through reducing CO2 emissions, optimizing resource use, innovating with materials, or managing waste responsibly.
This award celebrates a company that successfully integrates environmentally responsible practices into its operations, contributing to environmental preservation while maintaining economic performance.
Women’s Leadership (New)
This recognition award aims to honor a woman, regardless of her position or hierarchical level, whose professional and personal journey stands out for inspiring leadership, a positive influence on her environment, and a tangible commitment to equality, diversity, and the development of women’s full potential.
The award highlights the exceptional contribution of a leader who, through her example, inspires other women to pursue their ambitions and to access decision-making positions. The recipient must embody the values of courage, integrity, innovation, and collaboration within her organization and her community, while demonstrating a significant impact over the past several years.
Nominations may be submitted by a colleague, an employee, or a collaborator.
This award seeks to encourage more balanced gender representation within organizations and communities, while celebrating the achievements of women in fields where they remain underrepresented.
Human Resources – Employer of Choice: Diversity, Retention & Attraction
This award recognizes an employer that excels in creating an attractive, inclusive, and motivating workplace where employees can thrive and contribute fully to the orgnanizaton’s success. The company highlights policies and initiatives tha tsupport skills development, employee engagement, and the creation of a respectful and inclusive work environment.
The ideal employer fosters accessible and equitable workplaces focued on management, retention, and talent attraction. Key selection criteria include a strong and positive corporate culture, competitive compensation, opportunities for growth and advancement, effective recognition, well-being management, and meaningful roles within.
The recipient demontrates innovative, effective and sustainable practices in talent management, diversity, employee well-being, and the implementation of transparent, ethical, and participatory governance. This award underscores the importance of responsible corporate governance, emphasizing transparency, collaboraive decision making, and the long-term sustainability of organizational practices.
Non-Profit – Social Economy: Service to the Community
This award recognizes a non-profit organization that stands out for the originality and innovation of its fundraising methods, as well as the significant impact of its activities on the economic and/or social outcomes within the West Island of Montreal community.
The recipient will have demonstrated a unique ability to generate financial resources, whether through creative funding models, strategic partnerships, or new initiatives, while contributing in a tangible and measurable way to the social and economic well-being of the region.
This award highlights the organization’s commitment to sustainability, solidarity, and social inclusion, as well as its essential role in strengthening the collective fabric of the community.
Urban Development and Construction Developer
This award recognizes a company that has played a key role in the economic development of a community by actively contributing to job creation and the growth of the local economy.
The company must have led a sustainable and innovative development project, participating in the construction and development of buildings and essential infrastructure to revitalize a specific area of the West Island of Montreal.
It should promote civic engagement and create conditions that encourage the participation of diverse economic partners.
To be eligible, the company must demonstrate the components of its project, the activities implemented to maintain a high-performing and innovative business ecosystem, and the various funding sources leveraged to support the project.
Small Business and Sole Entrepreneur (1–5 Employees) (New)
This award recognizes a small business of five employees or fewer, or a self-employed individual, who has experienced remarkable and inspiring growth over the past year through the successful development of a specific project.
The company or individual stands out for a unique value proposition, notable improvements in the quality of services and/or products, operational efficiency, and strong, thriving relationships with clients, suppliers, and collaborators.
The recipient must have been established in the region for at least two years, demonstrating both growth potential and a measurable economic impact on their sector.
This award celebrates perseverance, entrepreneurial spirit, agility, and innovation in small businesses and self-employed professionals, highlighting their ability to excel through a strategic, creative, and performance-oriented approach.
Business of the Year (6 to 25 Employees)
This award recognizes a company with 6 to 25 employees that is regarded as a pillar of the business community in terms of growth and sustainable success, and that has achieved significant progress over the past year.
This progress may be related to the successful development of a specific project, notable improvements in the quality of services and/or products, or the optimization of operational efficiency and business activities.
The recipient must have been established in the region for at least two years, demonstrating both growth capacity and sustained involvement in the community.
This award highlights agility, innovation, and resilience in small to medium-sized businesses, celebrating their ability to excel through a strategic, creative, and performance-oriented approach.
Business Excellence of the Year (More Than 25 Employees)
This award recognizes a company with 25 or more employees that exemplifies excellence across its services and/or products, demonstrates efficient management of operations and activities, and has a significant influence within the West Island of Montreal’s business community.
The company must also demonstrate exemplary management practices and a strategic approach to the development and management of its human resources.
The recipient must have been established in the region for at least five years, demonstrating stability and long term commitment to the community.
This award honors a company that embodies the values of leadership, innovation, sustainable performance, and social responsibility, while creating a measurable and positive impact on its economic and social environment.
