Business Inspiration Awards
The Chamber uses the Business Inspiration Awards to highlight decisions made by its members that actively advance the regional economy, enhance our quality of life and position us well for the future.
- Environmental Champion: Protect the beauty, integrity and vitality of our natural environment while reducing any harmful environmental impacts of business operations
- Visionary Investor: Update, modernize or expand operations with an intent to retain and increase employment opportunities for our communities
- Humanitarian: Enhance health and quality of life, address humanitarian needs and actively promote diversity, equity and inclusion for all members of the communities
- Innovator: Introduce or reinterpret products, services or experiences, thus expanding the market and engaging new consumers
- Minority or Woman Owned Business: Diversify, empower and honor successful minority and woman ownership and leadership among new and existing area businesses
2023 Business Inspiration Awards
Business Inspiration Award Honorees
2023
Environmental Champion - Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association
Visionary Investor - Leonard's Express
Humanitarian - Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes
Innovator - Uber Lawns & Landscape
Minority or Woman Owned Business - Young Lion Brewing Company
2022
Environmental Champion - Auto Wash
Visionary Investor - Factory 243
Humanitarian - Literacy Volunteers Ontario + Yates
Innovator - Finger Lakes Community College
Minority or Woman Owned Business - 29 Design Studio
2021
Environmental Champion - Canandaigua Yacht Club
Visionary Investor - Seager Marine
Humanitarian - ESL Federal Credit Union
Innovator - Pactiv Evergreen
Minority or Woman Owned Business - Thai by Night
2020
Environmental Champion - The Lake House on Canandaigua
Visionary Investor - Simco HR
Humanitarian - The Salvation Army Canandaigua Corps
Innovator - Wegmans Food, Pharmacy & Market Café
2019
| Tourism | New York Kitchen |
| Service | The Friend Team |
| Retail | Lazy Acre Alpacas/Alpaca Country Clothing & Gifts |
| Industry | Finger Lakes Extrusion |
2018
| Tourism | Break the Ice Media |
| Service | Care Net Pregnancy Center of Canandaigua |
| Retail | Peacemaker Brewing Company |
| Industry | Canandaigua National Bank & Trust |
2017
| Tourism | Finger Lakes Visitors Connection |
| Service | Wood Library |
| Retail | Canandaigua Federal Credit Union #16176 |
| Industry | JD Chapman Agency, Inc. |
2016
| Tourism | Ontario County Historical Society |
| Service | Greater Canandaigua Family YMCA |
| Retail | Habitat for Humanity of Ontario County, NY/ReStore |
| Industry | Halco Energy |
2015
| Tourism | Lazy Acre Alpacas |
| Service | Finger Lakes Community College |
| Retail | Thompson Guild Gallery Gift Shop |
| Industry | Leonard's Express, Inc. |
2014
| Tourism | Roseland Bowl Family Fun Center |
| Service | Tall Trainer Fitness Systems |
| Retail | Image Custom Audio & Video |
| Industry | CB Craft Brewers |
2013
| Tourism | Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park |
| Service | Nu-Look Collision Centers, Inc. |
| Retail | Ryan's Wine & Spirits |
| Industry | LaBarge Media |
2012
| Tourism | CMAC (Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center |
| Service | Park West Hair Design & Spa, Inc. |
| Retail | Rockcastle Florist |
| Industry | Rochester Gas & Electric Corp./NYSEG |
2010
| Tourism | Miami Motel |
| Service | Woodlawn Cemetery |
| Retail | Wick-edly Sent Soap and Candle Company |
| Industry | Patrick Constructors, Inc. |
2009
| Tourism | Granger Homestead Society, Inc. |
| Service | Mercy Flight Central, Inc. |
| Retail | Canandaigua Carpets, Inc. |
| Industry | Constellation Brands |
2008
| Tourism | Arbor Hill Grapery |
| Service | Patty’s Place |
| Retail | Pat Rini Rohrer Gallery |
| Industry | Iversen Construction Corp. |
2007
| Tourism | Bristol Mountain Resort |
| Service | Kennedy & Son Funeral Home, Inc. |
| Retail | Randall Farnsworth Auto Group |
| Industry | Artizahn Dental Studio, Inc. |
2006
| Tourism | Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack |
| Service | American Red Cross- West Ontario Office |
| Retail | Crown Jewelers |
| Industry | Moore Printing Co., Inc. |
2005
| Tourism | Captain Gray’s Boat Tours |
| Service | Canandaigua Bus Tours |
| Retail | Dick Anthony LTD |
| Industry | Commodore Machine |
2004
| Service | Ontario ARC/Abbey Industries |
| Retail | Mobile Music |
| Industry | Finger Lakes Technologies Group, Inc. |
2003
| Tourism | Canandaigua Inn on the Lake |
| Service | Thompson Health |
| Retail | Sweet Expressions |
| Industry | Messenger Post Newspapers |
2002
| Tourism | Bristol Valley Theatre |
| Service | The Eye Care Center |
| Retail | G. Jones Furniture |
| Industry | Canandaigua Wine Company |
2001
| Tourism | AAA of Canandaigua |
| Service | Literacy Volunteers |
| Retail | The Country Ewe |
| Industry | Pactiv |
2000
| Tourism | Canandaigua Inn on the Lake |
| Service | Ontario County Arts Council |
| Retail | Canandaigua Motors |
| Industry | Ultrafab |