Still a little time to submit applications

For the 25 awards^e Entrepreneurs gala

SUMMERSIDE – October 14, 2026 – For this year's Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, «We know there are still a huge number of excellent candidates in your families, neighborhoods, and communities, so please don't hesitate to submit a nomination, especially in this 25th anniversary of our Entrepreneurs» Gala,« implores Raymond J. Arsenault, manager of the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, which organizes the Gala and the awards competition. »We are completely relying on you to provide us with nominations by noon on Friday, November 13."

During the Entrepreneurs and Cooperators« Lunch on October 13, held in Summerside, Mr. Arsenault informed those present that »It's very simple: if there are no nominations, there is no Gala. So thank you for ensuring the continuity of our Gala – our biggest and most beautiful evening of entrepreneurial recognition of the year."

Mr. Arsenault reminded people that there is a growing number of businesses in the Acadian and Francophone communities of the Island. «Our businesses accomplish so many wonderful things that deserve to be highlighted at our Gala, so we give you the chance to nominate them to congratulate and thank them for all they do, not only for you, their employees, and their clients, but also for our community.»

He added that CCAFLIPE is continuing some of the measures implemented last year to encourage people to submit nominations and to make it easier for them, and has added a few new ones. First, the nomination form has been significantly shortened; in addition to contact information, only answers to two questions are required: the achievements of the nominated person, business, cooperative, or organization and the reason why they are considered deserving. One only needs to go to https://tinyurl.com/55hfw4uz to download the form or can respond online. Alternatively, one can pick up a paper version at the Wellington office.

A draw will also be held among all those who submitted a nomination for a prize of $100 in cash or two tickets to the 2027 Gala, which will take place on March 20 in Abram-Village.

EXPANDED CATEGORY

All categories specifically focus on sustainable development. This year, CCAFLIPE has made major changes to the first category, the manager indicated.

• The Remarkable Young Entrepreneur Award 2027 is now for individuals aged 15 to 35 (rather than 30 years), as of March 21, 2027, who have demonstrated their entrepreneurial initiative in a significant way (including in innovation or sustainable development), especially over the past year. This award will now be accompanied by a reward investment of 1,000 $. «We really hope there will be competition for this award, especially because there are so many new and young Francophone and bilingual entrepreneurs already making their mark in our communities,» noted Mr. Arsenault.

• The Social Economy Enterprise Award 2027 is for a business, cooperative, or organization that must have a certain economic vocation and has distinguished itself through its achievements and successes, including its impact on its community, especially over the past year.

• The Distinguished Employee Award 2027, is for an employee of a business, cooperative, or organization, who has distinguished themselves by the quality of their customer service or by their achievements or leadership in the business world, especially over the past year.

• The Excellence Enterprise Award 2027 is for a business that has particularly distinguished itself and has demonstrated excellence, especially over the past year, in sustainable development, innovation, quality of services, job creation, or impact on its community.

• The Acadian and Francophone Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame Award 2027 is for individuals with at least 25 years of entrepreneurial or business experience as this award aims to honor an entrepreneur or business person who has distinguished themselves through their efforts and achievements throughout their career. The individual may still be working, retired, or deceased.

The Chamber will announce the names of the finalists for the first four categories during its P’tite fête des Fêtes 2026 on December 4 at the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside. Additionally, the name of the person or persons who will be inducted into the Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame will be revealed. All awards will be presented at the 25th Gala des entrepreneurs on March 20 at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village.