Business of the Year – Small

Heartland International Travel transforms travel for groups, conventions and individuals with a Manitoba focus as a second-generation company. From polar bear and beluga adventures in Churchill to sought-after Winnipeg cultural and historical tours, Heartland goes beyond packages to bring leadership and strong customer service through authenticity and a dedication to showcasing the best of Manitoba to visitors. Growing the number of guest tour packages in Churchill to supporting Rendez-Vous Canada transportation, Heartland is leading the way in keeping tourism offerings fresh and serving the tourism industry through leadership and dedication.

King Korn Maze blends agriculture, play and community spirit into a memorable family experience. Recently finished its eighth year, King Korn offers sprawling corn mazes to human-sized hamster balls to mini golf to seasonal haunted houses. King Korn drives regional tourism and economic activity in the area offering unique opportunities for events through barn rentals.

Stay549 is a three-generation, family-owned boutique retreat in Winnipeg offering a restorative urban resort experience. Blending heartfelt hospitality with wellness amenities like a seasonal pool, hot tub and authentic Finnish sauna, Stay549 offers a seamless digital guest journey from booking to departure. Drawing repeat visitors and stay-cationers, Stay549 is growing while staying rooted in exceptional service and a warm, family-led culture that makes every guest feel valued and connected.

Sub Zero Ice Cream has transformed a small Winnipeg neighbourhood shop into a vibrant, must-visit summer destination. Bold, seasonal flavours like ube or playful creations like the doughnut “ice cream burger” beckon visitors from across the city and beyond. Engaging social media and top-notch service means Sub Zero not only delights guests, it turns ice cream into connection and repeat visits.

Tamarack Shack & Tipi is a 160-acre off-grid eco-resort near Sandilands Provincial Forest that invites visitors to experience Manitoba through the lens of sustainability and connection. By blending low-impact glamping cabins and domes with elevated comfort, Tamarack Shack & Tipi educates guests on eco-conscious practices and offers immersive seasonal experiences, unique dining, wood-fired barrel sauna, natural pools and access to trails. Through thoughtful hospitality and environmental stewardship, the resort strengthens regional economic and tourism activity while showing Manitoba as a destination for meaningful, eco-based tourism.

Wild Loon Adventure Company navigates Manitoba’s waterways turning them into immersive learning and paddling adventures that celebrate Indigenous culture, conservation and community. From whitewater courses to multi-day canoe trips across historic rivers and a UNESCO World Heritage site, guests connect with the land through sustainable practices. Wild Loon has quadrupled staff to keep up with demand for their five-star review experiences and extended their offerings to new tours on the Hayes River and a pay-what-you-can paddle festival.