Attention Local Artists!
The City of Barrie invites proposals from local digital artists or graphic designers to design the trophy that will be awarded at the seventh annual Mayor’s Innovation Awards. The winning design will be fabricated by the Georgian College Makerspace.
The design should reflect the theme, Innovation in Barrie, which will align with the award categories. The selected artist or graphic designer will receive a monetary award for their winning design.
Submit your proposed design by Monday, May 12 at 5pm, and review the call to artists for full information.
The seventh Mayor’s Innovation Awards is aimed to discover stories of strength, creativity and adaptation from across the city of Barrie. These awards recognize businesses, individuals and organizations whose innovative approaches and sheer determination contribute to a resilient foundation for our city.
Five award categories are returning in 2025, including Pivot Point, Creative Collaboration, Youth Innovator, Research & Innovation Contribution and crowd favourite, Shift Disturber. The Municipal Innovation category, which debuted in 2023, will also return, showcasing the City of Barrie’s commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public service. This category has a separate submission process. Stay tuned for the launch of this year's nomination portal!
Award Categories
Pivot Point
Recognizing a company or organization that has discovered and pursued opportunity to grow in unexpected directions when faced with market or operational challenges. A need to purposefully take action with risk was addressed and implemented. They have assessed, adapted and evolved with key changes to their business model or processes that show promising results. Actions may include new revenue sources, new uses for products, evolving to service new needs and more.
Creative Collaboration
Recognizing two or more companies or organizations that have forged an alliance and reached new heights or achievements that they couldn't have reached alone. Contributions may be across sectors, industries, geographies or verticals. Milestones may span the development of new products, services, supply chains, operations and beyond!
Research & Innovation Contribution
Recognizing industry and academic researchers, as well as entrepreneurs, whose innovative activities have had high impact on their individual business or sector, engaging knowledge users throughout the process.
Youth Innovator
Showcasing youths’ creations and demonstrating the incredible learning that comes through entrepreneurship. This award encourages youth entrepreneurs of all types – from students working on capstone projects to those working on their own non-profit, for-profit or social enterprise – to develop their ideas, products/ services, or even improvements for an existing product or procedure. A monetary award will be assigned for the winner to put towards their venture. To be eligible, nominees must be under the age of 25 at the time of applying and either a full-time student or returning to school full-time in the next academic year.
Shift Disturber
Recognizing an individual who has championed innovation in their organization or community. Where others see opposition, they see opportunity. This individual is a powerhouse of creative problem solving, shaking up norms and spearheading strategic solutions in the midst of uncertainty.
Municipal Innovation
Recognizes the individuals, teams, and departments at the City of Barrie for their commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public service. Public nominations are not accepted for this category; projects are brought forward through a separate submission process.
Collaborating Partners
The Mayor's Innovation Awards is a massive community initiative that encompasses collaboration and bold new ways of moving forward in an ever-changing climate. Please stay tuned for 2025 sponsors.
Event Photos
Past Winners
2024 Winners
The winners of the sixth Mayor’s Innovation Awards were announced at the ceremony on November 28, 2024. Watch the 2024 Mayor's Innovation Awards playlist to learn about each winner.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Emergency Department
YMCA of Simcoe-Muskoka
Georgian College's Department of Social Innovation
Georgian College's Department of Research and Innovation
metricHEALTH Solutions Inc.
Cristhian Cruz, HeatPro
Jesse Kerr, Sandbox Centre
In-Sourcing Property Maintenance, Corporate Facilities
DriverDX
Wesley O'Leary - North Pro Home & Cottage Services
Miski Brewing
Henery Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre
Georgian Angel Network
Stuart Morley - Morley & Associates
Sara Bentham
Recreation & Culture Department for the Electric Ice Resurfacing Units project
AGEMA Work
Black Controls Company Inc.
Tourism Barrie
Theatre by the Bay
Marcia Woods of FreshSpoke
Barrie Families Unite
The Electric Motor Coil Company
Xcelerate Summit committee
Canopy Coworking
2019 Winners
Order Ease
Theatre by the Bay
Environmental Systems Corporation
Grove Park Home
