Entrepreneurs gala
Every spring, the Chambre de commerce acadienne et francophone de l'ÎPÉ presents its fantastic Gala des entrepreneurs to honor entrepreneurs, businesses, organizations and business people for their achievements and contributions to their community. This is its biggest entrepreneurial recognition evening of the year. She finds people to honor via sound Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards Competition launched in October each year. It offers prizes in several categories, including its most coveted, the Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame Award, which rewards business people for lifetime achievements. It's a kind of «life-time achievement award».
About the gala
This formal, colorful and ceremonial evening usually welcomes 150 to 175 guests to honor the finalists and winners, often in the company of the Lieutenant-Governor, ministers or MLAs, and a member of Parliament. A menu of fine cuisine is served, albeit at a very affordable price.
A number of sponsors sponsor the evening (Platinum Level - 2000 $ or more, Gold Level - 1000 $ or more, or Silver Level - 500 $ or more). In exchange, they help with the awards presentation or other facets of the evening, and receive a host of other benefits.
Gala winners
We are honoured to present the winners of the Gala since its inception.
Entrepreneurs Gala 2026
- Excellence in Business Award 2026: MacKay’s Automotive (Jamie Gallant), Wilmot Valley
- Distinguished Employee Award 2026: Alain Arsenault (Arsenault's Sawmill), St-Chrysostome
- Social Economy Enterprise Award 2026: The Acadian Voice, Summerside
- 2025 Special Recognition Award: Mélina pi Gélina (Debbie Rousselle-Montgomery of Abram-Village and Samantha Arsenault of St-Timothée)
- IMPACT DD ÎPÉ 2025 Annual Recognition Award: Knead A Brake (Raphaël and Kirsten Amiot-Savard), Travellers Rest
- Young Millionaires Positivity Award 2025: Samantha's Tickle Trunk, Souris
- 2025 Young Millionaires Dedication Award: Lutchina and Mark Nakhleh, (M & L Company), Charlottetown
- Young Francophone Millionaire of the Year Award 2025: Danica Paynter, (Danica's Creations), Summerside
- Hall of Fame 2026: Alcide Bernard, Manager and General Manager, Wellington
- Hall of Fame 2026: Johnny Gallant, owner of La Ferme Gallant and M&J Professional Saws, St-Timothée
- Hall of Fame 2026: Karen Richard, owner of La Coupe Classique, Urbainville
- Hall of Fame 2026: Wilfred Thompson, owner of Thompson's Woodcraft, North Bedeque
(That year, La Voix acadienne won the national Lauriers de la PME 2026 award, in the category «Social Economy Enterprise.»)
2025 Entrepreneurs Gala
- 2025 Company of Excellence Award Island Portable Buildings (Robert Poirier), St-Raphaël
- Distinguished Employee Award 2025 Tammy Strongman (La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous), Wellington
- Prix Entreprise d'économie sociale 2025 : La Coopérative d'artisanat d'Abram-Village, Abram-Village
- IMPACT DD 2024 Annual Recognition Award Famous Peppers (David Mitchell), Montague and Charlottetown
- Young Millionaires 2024 Dedication Award Sweet Scents (Jaylynn Perry and Sarah Wagner), Évangéline region
- Prix Jeunes millionnaires francophones de l'année 2024 : M&L Company (Mark and Lutchina Nakhleh), Charlottetown
- Hall of Fame 2025 - Donnie Arsenault, Wellington Service Centre, multi-entrepreneur, Wellington
- Hall of Fame 2025 - Louise Comeau, multi-entrepreneur and General Manager SDBA, Cap-Egmont (deceased)
- Hall of Fame 2025 - Leonard Gallant, Len's Grocery and car salesman, Wellington and Summerside
- Hall of Fame 2025 - Linda Lowther, The Lowther Group, multi-entrepreneur, Cavendish
2024 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Prix de l'Entreprise d'excellence 2024 : HMS Office Solutions (Pierre Gallant), Summerside and Charlottetown
- Prix de l'Entreprise d'économie sociale 2024 : Le Centre Goéland / Le Village des Sources l'Étoile Filante, Cap-Egmont
- Distinguished Employee Award 2024 : Carmella Richard, Bottle House Manager, Cap-Egmont
- Prix du Jeune entrepreneur remarquable 2024 : Zack Montreuil, Chow Time Pet Foods, Brackley
- ÎPÉ 2023 IMPACT DD Annual Recognition Award: La Société acadienne et francophone de l'ÎPÉ (SAF'Île), Summerside
- JM 2023 positivity prize - Jada Carragher of Jada's Arts & Crafts in Huntley
- JM Francophone Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2023 - Casen Arsenault of Casen's Perler Bead Creations in Abram-Village
- Prix Légende JM (current) 2023 - Ava Greencorn of Ava's Candy Clouds in St-Nicholas
- Prix Légende JM (former) 2023 - Nico Durant, Durant's Grass Cutting, Mont-Carmel
- Hall of Fame 2024 - Alfred Arsenault, Les Fermes Urbainville, Urbainville
- Hall of Fame 2024 - Édouard Arsenault, Les Maisons de bouteilles, Cap-Egmont (deceased)
- Hall of Fame 2024 - Ernest Arsenault, Arsenault Painters, Urbainville and Abram-Village
- Hall of Fame 2024 - Franky Arsenault, Le Moulin à Franky, St-Chrysostome (deceased)
- Hall of Fame 2024 - Joseph Caissie, Egmont Bay Seafood, Maximeville
- Hall of Fame 2024 - John and Alphonse Arsenault, J.C. Drilling Inc, St-Raphaël
- Hall of Fame 2024 - Léo-Paul Arsenault, LP Electronics, Day's Corner
2023 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Hall of Fame 2023: Ernest Arsenault, former manager of Coopérative de Wellington, Wellington
- Hall of Fame 2023: Jeanne Durant, former assistant manager of Coopérative de Mont-Carmel, Wellington (formerly Mont-Carmel)
- Hall of Fame 2023: Euclide Arsenault (deceased), owner of Arsenault & Gaudet, Irving Garage, Red Rock Beach, etc., Wellington
- Hall of Fame 2023: Euclide Gallant, farmer of Towerside Farm, Wellington (Urbainville)
- Hall of Fame 2023: Melvin Gallant, farmer and pasture manager, St-Timothée
- 2023 Company of Excellence Award - A.J. Repairs Ltd. (Justin Arsenault), Abram-Village
- Distinguished Employee Award 2023 - David Perry (Wellington Cooperative), Wellington
- Prix Entreprise d'économie sociale 2023 - Social Economy Enterprise Award Friends of the Farmers Bank of Rustico Inc.
- Young Entrepreneur Award 2023 - Francis-Olivier Morin, Montague
- Young Millionaires Award 2022 - Caleb Lombardo and Léo Consejo Cadena (Seaside Treasures), Souris
- JM 2022 Dedication Medal - Isabelle Gallant (Bijoux Isabelle), Cap-Egmont
- JM 2022 Positivity Medal - Victor Corney (Great Stick), Charlottetown
2022 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Hall of Fame 2022: Alcide Arsenault, fisherman, Cap-Egmont
- Hall of Fame 2022: Julien Bernard, farmer, Bernardale Farms, St-Philippe
- Hall of Fame 2022: Antoine Richard, multi-entrepreneur and manager, Wellington
- Hall of Fame 2022: Franky Arsenault, multi-entrepreneur garage owner, Wellington
- 2022 Company of Excellence Award Atlantic Bioheat, owned by Dick Arsenault, Abram-Village
- Prix Entreprise d'économie sociale 2022 : The Royal Canadian Legion, Wellington Branch 17
- Distinguished Employee Award 2022 : Marcia Enman, Director of La Voix acadienne, Wellington
- Prix Jeune entreprenant 2022 : Nico Durant, owner of LaFun, Durant Metals and Nico Durant Inc, Mont-Carmel
- Young Millionaire Prize 2021 : Jolène Gallant, Red Rock Jewelry, Abram-Village.
2020 Entrepreneurs Gala (held in 2021)
- 2020 Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame: Gérard and Marcel Arsenault - Deva Forestry/The Branch Manager, Summerside and Abram-Village
- Company of Excellence 2020 : Mermaid Marine Products (Patrick Villeneuve), Charlottetown
- Immigrant Entrepreneur 2020 : Rafael Aguirre, EastCode Ecommerce Solutions and TopFeed, Charlottetown
- Social economy enterprise 2020 : Association des centers de la petite enfance acadienne et francophone, Summerside
- Distinguished Employee 2020 : Louis Richard - Summerside Canadian Tire, Mont-Carmel
- Young Entrepreneur 2020: Maria Arsenault, Mont-Carmel
- Special recognition 2020 : World Acadian Congress 2019
- 2020 Young Millionaire Prize: Adèle Arsenault and Delphine Corney
2019 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Prix d'Excellence de la présidence 2019 : Le Collège de l'Île, Wellington and Charlottetown
- Distinguished Entrepreneur Award 2019 : Ray Brow, Britannia Corporation (formerly) and Überloo International, Georgetown Royalty
- 2019 Immigrant Entrepreneur Award: Philippe Guidon, Belgo Transport, North Wiltshire
- Prix de l'Entreprise d'économie sociale 2019 : Evangeline Recreation Commission
- Business Personality Award 2019 : Francis Thériault, PEI Agents Realty and Garago Software Inc, Charlottetown
- Prix du Jeune Entrepreneur 2019 : Elliott Fraser, Simply Sno-Cones / Simply Squeez'd, Charlottetown, and the Paloudes group (Gilbert and Dawson Arsenault and Tianna Gallant), Evangeline region
- Young Millionaire Award 2018: Claire Victor, Victory Slime, Charlottetown
2018 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Young Millionaires Award 2017: Isabelle Fisk (Izzy's Rockpile) and Nicholas Sauvé (Nick's Fidget Spinners), Birch Hill
- 2018 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jérémie Buote, Rustico
- Business Personality Award 2018: Ghislaine Cormier, Charlottetown
- Social Economy Company of the Year Award 2018: Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival, Abram-Village
- Immigrant Entrepreneur Award 2018 Gidéon Banahene, Charlottetown
- Distinguished Entrepreneur Award 2018 Jeannette Arsenault, Summerside
- President's Award of Excellence 2018 Vishten, Charlottetown
(That same year, Coopérative Le Chez-nous won the Lauriers de la PME national award in the «Service Enterprise» category in November 2018).
2017 Entrepreneurs Gala
- President's Award of Excellence 2017: Egmont Bay Construction (Claude Gallant), Abram-Village
- Distinguished Entrepreneur Award 2017: Roger Arsenault, The Co-operators, Wellington (retired)
- Immigrant Entrepreneur Award 2017 Joseph Sammoun, Shaddy's Restaurant, Charlottetown
- Social Economy Enterprise Award 2017 La Coopérative Le Chez-nous, Wellington
- Business Personality Award 2017 Gérald Arsenault, Wellington Service Centre, Wellington
- Young Entrepreneur Award 2017 Ten Strings and a Goat Skin, Charlottetown-Rustico
2016 Entrepreneurs Gala
- President's Award of Excellence 2016 Foulkes Productions (Darin Foulkes), Charlottetown
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2016: Italo Marzari (Sirenella Ristoranti), Charlottetown
- Immigrant Entrepreneur 2016: Laure Solange Pchamdja (Aldanel Authentic Products), Charlottetown
- 2016 Cooperative of the Year: La Coopérative de développement culturel et patrimonial de Mont-Carmel
- Businesswoman 2016: Sylvette Morneau (Mom's Woodshop), Hunter River
- Young Entrepreneur 2016: Eliott Fraser and Michael MacEwen (Simply Sno-Cones), Charlottetown
- Young Millionaires Award 2015 : Nico Durant (LaFun), Mont-Carmel.
2015 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Young Entrepreneur 2015: Kyle Gill of Charlottetown
- Businesswoman 2015: Tanya Gallant of Charlottetown's Cameleon Productions
- 2015 Cooperative of the Year: Caisse populaire Évangéline-Central
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2015: Julien Arsenault of Mont-Carmel
- Prix d'Excellence de la présidence 2015 : Urbainville Farms (Robert and Alfred Arsenault)
- Young Millionaires Award 2015 : Luc Gallant, Mont-Carmel (Sticky Creations)
2014 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Lauriers de la PME 2014 - Processing company La Coopérative des pêcheurs l'Acadienne ltée, Abram-Village;
- Lauriers de la PME 2014 - Service company Atlantic Roofers Ltd (Jean Allain), Winsloe;
- Lauriers de la PME 2014 - Retail : HMS Office Supplies Ltd (Henri and Gloria Gallant), Summerside; (national winner)
- Lauriers de la PME 2014 - Micro-entreprise : Ron's Construction (Ronald Arsenault), Urbainville;
- Lauriers de la PME 2014 - Young entrepreneurs OMD Construction & Consulting Ltd (Jamie Caissie), Maximeville.
- Young Millionaires Award 2014 - Félix Thériault of Stratford (Gators on Wheels - selling beverages and snacks from a cooler on wheels);
- Young Millionaires Award 2014 - Michael MacEwen and Eliott Fraser of Stratford (Simply Sno-Cones - ice cream cones in a variety of flavours); ;
- Young Millionaires Award 2014 - Stuart Lawther of Charlottetown (Stuie's Beach Chairs - manufacturer and seller of wooden beach chairs).
(This year, HMS Office Supplies - Gloria and Henri Gallant - won the Lauriers de la PME 2014 national award in the «Retail» category in Moncton in November).
2013 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Young Millionaires Award 2012: André and Chad's bracelets (owners André Arsenault of Abram-Village and Chad Arsenault of St-Raphaël)
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013: Katelyn Gill of Charlottetown
- Cooperative of the Year 2013: Abram-Village Artisan Cooperative
- Businesswoman 2013: Lise Buote, owner of Blue Heron Entreprises and co-owner of Blue Heron Construction of Rustico
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2013: Réjeanne Arsenault, owner of Maisons de bouteilles in Cap-Egmont
- Prix d'Excellence de la présidence 2013 : Arsenault's Fish Mart, Summerside and Maximeville (owner Robert Arsenault)
2012 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2012 Alyre Arsenault - AJL Contractors Ltd (St-Philippe)
- Businesswoman 2012: Denise Arsenault - Health Within Holistic Centre (Charlottetown)
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Sylvain Gallant (Abram-Village)
- Cooperative of the Year 2012 Evangeline Funeral Cooperative (Urbainville)
- President's Award of Excellence 2012 Wellington Esso - Donnie Arsenault (Wellington)
2011 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2011 : The late Richard Bernard - optician (Mont-Carmel)
- Lauriers de la PME 2011 - Services company : Atlantic Roofers (Winsloe)
- Lauriers de la PME 2011 - Tourism services company La Petite France/Café Cartier (Alberton)
- Lauriers de la PME 2011 - Processing company La Coopérative des pêcheurs l'Acadienne (Abram-Village)
- Lauriers de la PME 2011 - Micro-Enterprise Where Pigs Fly (Northam)
2010 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Prix PERCÉ 2010 : Gabriel Arsenault (Charlottetown)
- JEFLIPE Award 2010: Mathieu Gallant (St-Timothée)
- Woman of action 2010 Colette Arsenault (Abram-Village)
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2010 Ivan Arsenault - mechanic (Wellington)
- Cooperative of the Year 2010 La Coopérative Le Chez-Nous ltée. (Wellington)
- Touristic speaker of the year 2010 Le Centre Expo-Festival (Abram-Village)
2009 Entrepreneurs Gala
- JEFLIPE Award 2009: Christian Gallant (Charlottetown)
- Lauriers de la PME 2009, Service company commercial: Sirenella Ristorante (Charlottetown)
- Lauriers de la PME 2009, Specialized Services Company J.C. Drilling (St-Raphaël)
- Lauriers de la PME 2009, Processing company Tourbillon Design (Rustico)
- Lauriers de la PME 2009, Micro-enterprise images @ p.e.inc. (Mont-Carmel)
2008 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2008 (1) Tilmon Arsenault, Les Entreprises Cap-Egmont ltée (Cap-Egmont)
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2008 (2) Contact: Léo S. Arsenault, Lane Farms (Abram-Village)
- Cooperative of the Year 2008 La Coopérative des pêcheurs l'Acadienne (Abram-Village)
- Special Recognition Award 2008 Ernest Arsenault, Coopérative de Wellington (Wellington)
- Tour operator of the year 2008 Évangéline Gallant, Gîte du passant Chez Évangéline (Maximeville and Wellington)
- Prix Femme d'action 2008 Réjeanne Doucette (Tignish)
- JEFLIPE Award 2008 Andy Gallant (Rustico and Charlottetown)
2007 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Lauriers de la PME 2007, Service company Wellington Construction Ltd (Abram-Village)
- Lauriers de la PME 2007, New company Chuck and Albert (Charlottetown)
- Lauriers de la PME 2007, Processing company Cavendish Figurines (Borden-Carleton)
- Lauriers de la PME 2007, Micro-entreprise X.O. Consultants (Summerside)
2006 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2006 Frank Legault, PEI Pest Control (Charlottetown)
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 Daniel Richard, Daniel's Custom Cabinets and Millwork and Magasin Country Convenience (Mont-Carmel)
- Entrepreneurial Woman 2006 Angie Cormier, AcA Consultants (Cap-Egmont)
- Touristic speaker of the year 2006 Léona Bernard, Maison Gaïa (Maximeville)
- Cooperative of the Year 2006 Evangeline Credit Union (Wellington and Tyne Valley)
- 2005 Special Recognition Award (CDC) (1) : Louise Arsenault (Wellington)
- 2005 Special Recognition Award (CDC) (2) Ida Gallant (Wellington)
- Special recognition Léonce Bernard, Lieutenant-Governor of P.E.I. (Wellington and Charlottetown)
2005 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Cooperative of the Year 2005 La Coopérative de Wellington (Wellington)
- Special Recognition Award La Coopérative de Mont-Carmel (Mont-Carmel)
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2005 Adélard Gallant, fisherman-lobbyist (Summerside and Cap-Egmont)
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 James Smith, Smith-Brochettes (Charlottetown)
- Lauriers de la PME 2005, Rural development Julien Arsenault Farm and Darlene Sanford (Mont-Carmel)
- Lauriers de la PME 2005, Knowledge Economy One Stop Auto Salvage (St-Louis)
- Lauriers de la PME 2005, Youth Atlantic Isle Gourmet Pasta (Charlottetown)
- Lauriers de la PME 2005, Tourism Les Maisons de bouteilles (Cap-Egmont)
(Les Maisons de bouteilles won a special national «Coup de cœur» award at this year's Lauriers de la PME Gala in Ottawa).
2004 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2004 (1) Alphonse Arsenault, Wellington Construction (Abram-Village)
- Distinguished Entrepreneur 2004 (2) René Maddix, Maddix Construction (Urbainville)
2003 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Lauriers de la PME 2003, Rural development HMS Office Supplies (Summerside)
- Lauriers de la PME 2003, Knowledge Economy ImageWorks PEI (Charlottetown)
- Lauriers de la PME 2003, Youth Oceana Florist (Summerside & Alberton)
- Lauriers de la PME 2003, Tourism Chez Nous Bed and Breakfast (Cornwall)
2001 Entrepreneurs Gala
- Lauriers de la PME 2001, Rural development Arsenault Sawmill (St- Chrysostome)
- Lauriers de la PME 2001, Tourism Cavendish Figurines (Borden-Carleton)