Business of the Year – Large

Asessippi Ski Area and Resort transforms western Manitoba into a thrilling winter playground where recreation, culture and community converge. As the largest ski resort in the prairies, it draws over 60,000 visitors each season from across the province and beyond, supporting local accommodations, restaurants and businesses while generating significant economic activity in the region. Asessippi nurtures youth engagement in sport through school programs, hosts competitions and creates year-round experiences with weddings and special events.

Assiniboia Downs is where the thunder of Thoroughbred hooves meets year-round entertainment and community connection at its sweeping facilities at the edge of Winnipeg. Its 2025 record-breaking racing season drew unprecedented crowds, solidified its thoroughbred racing reputation in Western Canada and generated significant economic impact and tax revenues for the community. By preserving the heritage of horse racing, Assiniboia Downs showcases Manitoba’s culture and offers inclusive, high-quality experiences. Beyond hosting live racing, the venue also holds concerts, festivals and corporate and community events, supporting between 1,200 to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs and over $150 million in economic activity each year.

As the world’s only luxury polar bear walking safari, Churchill Wild has been recognized by National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveler, the New York Times and BBC as offering the best location for capturing ground-level polar bear footage. Attracting film crews for Netflix's Predators and National Geographic’s The Big Freeze, Churchill Wild creates transformative encounters with arctic apex predators fostering deep connections to Manitoba’s fragile northern ecosystems for visitors from across the globe. The 30-year-old, family-run operation now hosts over 860 international guests annually across three lodges, blending luxury with sustainability and “tundra-to-table” cuisine. By investing in renewable energy and partnering locally, Churchill Wild advances community, conserves culture and drives economic activity.

Anchored beside Riding Mountain National Park, Elkhorn Resort, Spa and Conference Centre blends outdoor adventure, family recreation and wellness into a four-season destination. With Klar So Nordic Spa at its heart, the spa has drawn over 57,000 visitors since opening in 2023 enhancing the expanding winter season. By partnering with Parks Canada and supporting local initiatives like the Wasagaming Snow Pavilion, Elkhorn Resort, Spa and Conference Centre is committed to community engagement and growing tourism. Its commitment to staff housing and development provides stability and opportunity while continual reinvestment in amenities, like a speakeasy bar and revitalized equestrian facilities, enhances visitor experiences. Elkhorn exemplifies how thoughtful hospitality, wellness innovation and nature-based adventure can drive lasting economic and community impact.

Interlake Brewing Co. is where craft beer, locally sourced cuisine and community all meet in Gimli. Through initiatives like Forage Fest, rooftop curling and collaborations with local artists, musicians and Indigenous producers, the brewery celebrates the region’s ingredients, culture and seasons. Creating immersive experiences year-round, Interlake Brewing strengthens community bonds and draws tourists to the Interlake, turning each visit into a journey deeply rooted in place.

Select Start has reimagined Winnipeg’s Exchange District nightlife by creating the city’s first bar-arcade, blending vintage arcade nostalgia, cutting-edge design and inclusive hospitality into a destination experience. This 8,000-square-foot venue transforms a historic space into a “choose your own adventure” environment with restored arcade machines, curated artwork, family-friendly programming and thoughtfully crafted food and beverages. Select Start is an innovative world-class experience and unique tourism attraction that furthers the Exchange District’s reputation as an entertainment hub.

This premier wellness destination welcomes over 120,000 guests annually from across the region to a sanctuary where body, mind and community are nurtured. Over the past 10 years, the Spa Village reconnects visitors with the elements, themselves and one another while offering exceptional immersive experiences led by highly trained staff. Its commitment to professional development, innovation and locally inspired cuisine strengthens the tourism economy, supports over 200 team members and fuels repeat visitation blending hospitality into a holistic, restorative experience that showcases Manitoba as a destination for wellbeing and connection.

Winnipeg Waterways reconnects residents and visitors with the city’s rivers, offering immersive boat tours and water bus services that celebrate local history and the natural beauty of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Since its 2024 launch, the company has brought storytelling, education, and recreation together, partnering with the Louis Riel Institute and offering French-language and Indigenous-focused tours, while expanding infrastructure to meet growing demand. By creating vibrant, accessible river experiences, Winnipeg Waterways reinforces the cultural significance of the city’s waterways by blending heritage, history and sustainability into every journey.