Barrie’s business community came together on Friday, October 24 to celebrate innovation, leadership, and local impact at the 2025 Barrie Business Awards—and Central Ontario Broadcasting, our parent company, had two major reasons to cheer.
Company president Doug Bingley was awarded the prestigious Arch Brown Entrepreneur Award of Excellence, sponsored by RBC, which celebrates an entrepreneur whose lifetime of dedication, leadership, and innovation has transformed Barrie’s business community.
Adding to the celebration, one of the company’s flagship brands, Rock 95, took home the Marketing & Promotions Award for its legendary Birthday Bash campaign. Sponsored by CIBC, the award celebrates a business or organization that has effectively used marketing to increase visibility, connect with its audience and drive measurable results. The Birthday Bash has become an unforgettable annual event, blending music, giveaways, and local pride into one.
Full List of 2025 Barrie Business Award Winners
- Doug Bingley, Central Ontario Broadcasting – Arch Brown Entrepreneur Award of Excellence (Sponsored by RBC)
- First Gulf – Mayor’s Economic Development Award (Sponsored by the City of Barrie)
- Hospice Simcoe Seasons Centre – Not-for-Profit or Charitable Organization Award (Sponsored by Innovative Automation)
- Bulldog Construction Services – Pay It Forward Award (Sponsored by Bill Gosling Outsourcing)
- SUPERIOR Home Health Care – Service Business Excellence Award (Sponsored by Scotiabank)
- Innovative Automation Inc. – Manufacturing, Engineering & Construction Business Excellence Award (Sponsored by BMO)
- Trainers Choice – Business Growth Award (Sponsored by Busch Systems)
- Blue Haven Wellness – New Business Award (Sponsored by Invest Barrie)
- Grillicious Restaurant and Wine Bar – Hospitality & Tourism Business Excellence Award (Sponsored by BDO)
- Pompous Fox Wood Company Inc. – Sustainable Impact Award (Sponsored by Alectra Utilities)
- Healing Arts Micropigmentation and Wellness Centre – Small Business of the Year Award (Sponsored by TD Bank)
- Maguire Boucher, The Hound Lounge – Young Professional of the Year Award (Sponsored by Georgian College)
- Barrie Indian Association – Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award (Sponsored by OLG)
- Chris McBrien, Georgian College – Employee of the Year Award (Sponsored by Bell)
- Rock95 Birthday Bash – Marketing & Promotions Award (Sponsored by CIBC)
Celebrating Barrie’s Business Spirit
The Barrie Business Awards showcased the diverse strengths of the city’s entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers, highlighting the many ways local businesses contribute to Barrie’s growth and character.
