Posted on by Deborah Jones
Biz X Awards Voting Now Open
17
Sep

Voting Now Open For 2025 Biz X Awards

VOTING IN THE 28th ANNUAL 2025 BIZ X AWARDS IS NOW UNDERWAY FROM SEPT. 17 AT NOON UNTIL SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 AT 5 P.M.

TO VOTE SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF PAGE.

Since the release of summer and September issues of Biz X — and on our website — readers of the magazine have had over a month to nominate the businesses, organizations, events and professionals in Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island who they believe are the cream of the crop in our 24 categories.

Nominees are now be made public here as voting commences at noon on September 17 and continues through to September 24, 2025 with a 5 p.m. deadline.

During the voting period you can cast your vote for your choice to win the 2025 Biz X Award in each respective category. You can also vote using your smart phone or tablet via our mobile friendly voting site. You can vote once per category per IP address only.

ONCE YOU HAVE VOTED IN A CATEGORY THE LIST OF NOMINEES WILL NO LONGER SHOW FOR YOU. REST ASSURED YOUR VOTE HAS BEEN RECORDED.

Keep in mind you can vote in all categories if you like, or just one! It is totally confidential so no one sees who you vote for. You can also EXIT WITHOUT VOTING in a category, if you are not sure who to vote for or choose not to vote in a category.

***Please be sure to answer the anti-spam question to ensure you are not a robot.

If you are a nominee keep in mind this is not a popularity contest — only one nomination was needed to be in the poll and vote tallies are only a portion of the overall selection process (which includes what nominators wrote about the nominee; background information sent in by the nominee; voting poll results and what the Biz X Award Judges consider important in his/her own opinion).

All nominations received, along with the company background information nominees supplied plus a summary of the voting poll results are then reviewed by the Biz X panel of Judges after the polls close.

The Judges meet in the fall to determine the final winners by secret ballot and do not know who has actually won each category until the release of the November/December awards edition in mid November.

The entire team of Biz X magazine extend our congratulations to each and every nominee on being nominated in this awards program. To be included on such a short list truly means people love what you do! Keep up the great work!

*Publisher’s Note: Since some nominees did not submit the online required information we requested BEFORE the voting poll was assembled there may be changes made to the business/organization and/or individual/ event names or addresses in the official nominee listings in the November/December awards issue compared to what is viewed in the voting poll. Certain listings could only be assembled from information submitted by nominators and nominees might have filled out our form after the polls went live. As well if award rules were not met, a nominee may be withdrawn and not appear in the November/December issue. No new nominees can be added after the nomination deadline.

NOW ARE YOU READY TO VOTE for the #1 businesses, organizations, events and biz pros in Windsor, Essex and Pelee Island? Then click on the link below the categories!

2025 Biz X Award Categories

BUSINESS & SERVICE (*No national chains/non-profits allowed) *Once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

1. Outstanding New Business Of 2025 (Businesses that opened from September 1, 2024 to September 1, 2025) *No restaurants/food trucks or bars can be included as they can participate in the Hospitality & Entertainment Categories.

2. Heartbeat Heroes (Your lifeline in emergency situations! First aid, CPR and/or health & safety training.)

3. Concrete Proof This Contractor Is Set In Stone (Residential, industrial and commercial concrete providers using reliable equipment and techniques with an experienced crew.)

4. Brilliant Bathroom Renovators (Bathroom remodelling companies, residential and/or commercial.)

5. Distinguished Biz Champ Of The Year (A company in operation for over one year that has done something exceptional to take care of business.) *No restaurants/bars or retail shops as they have their own categories. Remember if a business is nominated here they cannot participate in any other category.

6. Hitch Your Wagon To This Star Auto Centre (Mechanic shops that specialize in one area of car repair or can fix your entire vehicle.)

7. Captivating Content Creator (A digital video firm to hire for your social media pages/website, commercials and possibly help with animation, podcast production, and graphic design.)

PEOPLE *The business/organization the nominee owns or works for cannot be nominated elsewhere.

8. 2025 Powerhouse Professional (A local business owner or top manager who has what it takes to keep the company/organization they own or work for, profitable in today’s tough times.)

9. Artist Of The Year (For example a singer, painter, musician, sculptor, band, or actor.) *No authors or photographers please.

10. Exceptional Social Enterprise (A team of workers at a non-profit organization or registered charity making a big difference in our community.)

11. Dance Up A Storm With This Instructor (For children and/or adults, an experienced, patient teacher who encourages students in different styles of dance.)

12. First-Rate Financial Advisor (A money manager who helps grow your portfolio and assists with financial goals like retirement planning.)

13. A Pet Owner’s Best Friend (An owner or employee of a pet sitting service, a dog trainer, groomer or individual organizing pet adoptions/rescues through his/her business/organization etc.) *No pet food suppliers or kennels allowed.

RETAIL (*No national chains/non-profits allowed) *Remember, once a business is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

14. The Best Little Retail Shop Of 2025 (Open to all retailers with good prices, fantastic customer service and selection.) *They must have a storefront, no online only companies as they can participate in category #15.

15. The Leading Local E-Commerce Retailer (A business that is web based only and sells goods or services ranging from cookies to gift baskets, clothing, bookkeeping and more.) *If they have a brick-and-mortar location, choose category #14 instead.

16. The Right Stuff, Made In Canada Eh (Whether it is maple syrup, souvenirs, artisan gifts, beverages, sauces and more, if it’s made in Canada, it qualifies to be nominated here!) *No restaurants unless a retail product like sauce, wine jelly etc. is sold.

17. Finest Place To Get Floored (Where to purchase flooring products such as tile, vinyl, hardwood/engineered wood, laminate, or carpet/rugs for your home or business. Installation may or may not be a factor.)

18. Cream Of The Crop Veggie/Fruit Supplier (A market, stand, farm or produce outlet for local fruit and/or vegetables.) *No large farmers’ or night markets can be included.

19. Ethnic Enterprise Making A World Of Difference (This business may sell international grocery items in a market/deli and/or ethnic products in a shop that is a little piece of home for local immigrants.)

HOSPITALITY & ENTERTAINMENT (*No national chains/non-profits allowed; exception only for events #24) *Remember, once a business/organization is nominated in one category they cannot be nominated in any others.

20. Restaurant That’s Hot, Hot, Hot For 2025 (Can be a new or an existing restaurant or food truck that offers exceptional cuisine, fair prices and has a unique, trendy atmosphere — patio dining and/or take-out only is also acceptable.)

21. Holy Guacamole, Mexican Meal Heaven (Dine-in or pick-up, the eatery to enjoy authentic Mexican food.)

22. #1 Public Golf Course By Par (Consider course maintenance, clubhouse onsite, cart rental amenities, practice range, course rating) *No private member golf clubs can be nominated.

23. The Perfect Venue For Unforgettable Celebrations (A stunning event setting for birthday parties, special occasions, weddings, memorials and/or corporate functions and so on.) *No ethnic or golf clubs please.

24. The Most Wonderful Event Of The Year (Night Markets, annual runs, golf tournaments, motorcycle rides, charity fundraisers, festivals, trade shows etc.) *EXCEPTION: Non-profits and charities can participate.

Deborah Jones

Deborah Jones – Publisher of Biz X Magazine Deborah Jones graduated from the University of Windsor with an Honours Degree in Communication Studies and was employed at two other local magazines shortly after for a few years learning all she could about writing, advertising, public relations and more. She made the jump in 1998 to go out on her own to publish Biz X magazine and has worked in the publishing industry since 1990. In 2007, she earned the “Entrepreneur of the Year” award from the Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce. To date, she is the ONLY woman so far to receive this award. In 2013, she received one of the first “Windsor Women of the Year” awards from the Ladies Exclusive Alliance. Her most recent achievement is the 2023 Media Award from the Windsor Essex Chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Deborah is proud to live in Windsor and truly cares about each and every business and strives to make Windsor Essex the best place to live, work and play.