A night of inspiration, celebration, and community pride returns to the city this month as the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce gets ready to host its annual Impact Awards on April 25th at the Joe Thornton Community Centre.
Described by Chamber CEO, Paul Jenkins as the ultimate celebration of business and community excellence, the Impact Awards recognizes outstanding contributions from local businesses, nonprofits, and individuals across St. Thomas, Southwold, and Central Elgin.
Audio PlayerWinners will be named in the following categories: New Business of the Year, the Inspirational Woman Award, Young Professional of the Year, Unsung Heroes Award, Business of the Year, Circle of Excellence Award and the Champion of the Earth Award.
Each of the 21 nominees will be highlighted through a series of video interviews during the evening, giving attendees an inside look at all the incredible things being done in our own backyard.
Audio PlayerBeyond the awards, guests will enjoy a high-energy evening filled with entertainment, networking, and an unforgettable culinary experience.
Adding to the excitement is special guest speaker Kris Pearn, a Hollywood director and producer with roots in London and Strathroy, who will share insights from his career in animated film and television.
Audio PlayerHis credits include work on Open Season, Surf’s Up, Arthur Christmas, and Shaun the Sheep Movie. He was Head of Story on Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, and co-directed Cloudy Two: Rise of the Leftovers. He most recently wrote and directed the Netflix animated feature The Willoughbys based on the novel by Lois Lowry.
Tickets for the 2025 Impact Awards are still available and can be purchased online by Chamber members. Non-members must reach out to the Chamber office directly for tickets at 519-631-1981.
Full details, including the list of finalists, can be found here.
Written by: K. Freeman
