LONDON - Downtown London is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2026 Business Excellence Award and Gerald Gallacher Heart of Downtown Award, with the winners to be announced at Downtown London’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 5 at Museum London. ### Business Excellence Award The Business Excellence Award recognizes a downtown business that demonstrates excellence in customer service, meaningful engagement with the downtown community, participation in Downtown London programs and promotions, commitment to the downtown core, and an overall contribution to the vitality of downtown. The 2026 finalists are: - **Digital Extremes** - **Heroes Comics** - **Innovation Works** - **Pakua Martial Arts School** - **Saffron Road** - **TAP Centre for Creativity** - **The Holy Diver / The Early Bird** Each finalist reflects a different part of the downtown business community and the many ways businesses contribute to the experience and success of downtown. The 2025 Business Excellence Award was presented to Stefanie Stolzel and Michael Schmidt of Tea Haus, recognizing 25 years of excellence at Covent Garden Market, exceptional customer service and their continued investment in and contribution to the downtown community. ### Gerald Gallacher Heart of Downtown Award The Gerald Gallacher Heart of Downtown Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to improving life in Downtown London and embodies the spirit of the late Gerald Gallacher, a former London Downtown Business Association Chair, architect, volunteer and passionate advocate for downtown. Gerald served as Chair of the London Downtown Business Association from 2015 to 2019 and was known for his leadership, generosity, collaboration and unwavering belief in downtown London. The award recognizes individuals who carry that spirit forward by bringing people together, building confidence and pride, and contributing their own time, talents and energy to making downtown a better place to live, work, learn and play. The 2026 finalists are: - **Mike Smith** - **Jim Telfer** (posthumously) The finalists have each demonstrated a deep commitment to downtown through advocacy, community building, creativity, collaboration and a positive spirit that reflects the legacy of the award. The 2025 Gerald Gallacher Heart of Downtown Award was presented to Mike Manuel, recognizing his more than two decades of leadership and investment in downtown through the London Music Hall and surrounding properties. His work has helped strengthen downtown as an entertainment destination, support artists and cultural programming, and contribute to London’s identity as a UNESCO City of Music. “These awards are an opportunity to recognize the people and businesses who are making a real difference in our downtown,” said Vicki Smith, Interim Executive Director of Downtown London. “Our finalists represent the commitment, creativity and community spirit that make downtown such an important part of London. We’re looking forward to celebrating their contributions and announcing this year’s award recipients at our AGM.” The winners of both the Business Excellence Award and the Gerald Gallacher Heart of Downtown Award will be announced at Downtown London’s 2026 Annual General Meeting on November 5. Downtown London members and the broader downtown community are invited to attend the 2026 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 5 at Museum London. Doors open at 8:15 a.m., with the meeting beginning promptly at 8:45 a.m. RSVP at[ DowntownLondon.ca/AGM](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https:/www.downtownlondon.ca/agm/___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzo2Y2NkOGE0ZDE1NjdhYWM1MDFmMzlhNmI4YjM4N2QyYzo3OmUwZWI6MTkxZThiY2I5NmZjNWFhMjk5YjhkM2MyNDc1YWQ0ZGJkYjQ2ZjBlYWIwMjQyMWZjMGM0ZjdlYmY0NTExNDkwYzpoOlQ6Tg "https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___https:/www.downtownlondon.ca/agm/___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzo2Y2NkOGE0ZDE1NjdhYWM1MDFmMzlhNmI4YjM4N2QyYzo3OmUwZWI6MTkxZThiY2I5NmZjNWFhMjk5YjhkM2MyNDc1YWQ0ZGJkYjQ2ZjBlYWIwMjQyMWZjMGM0ZjdlYmY0NTExNDkwYzpoOlQ6Tg"). **For more information or comments, please contact:** **Brent Hodson** Marketing and Communications Manager Downtown London [**Brent@downtownlondon.ca**](mailto:Brent@downtownlondon.ca "mailto:Brent@downtownlondon.ca") [519-521-8659](tel:(519)%20521-8659 "tel:(519)%20521-8659") **About Downtown London** [**Downtown London**](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___http:/www.downtownlondon.ca/___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzo2Y2NkOGE0ZDE1NjdhYWM1MDFmMzlhNmI4YjM4N2QyYzo3Ojg0MmY6OWEzYjZlYTQwNTQzNzk2OTFkMWU2NzQxZTc3N2NjMzI1NTIzODQ5ODljZmY4MTE3Yjc4YWU2MmE0ODA3MzU2NjpoOlQ6Tg "https://url.avanan.click/v2/r03/___http:/www.downtownlondon.ca/___.YXYyYzpsZWRjOmE6bzo2Y2NkOGE0ZDE1NjdhYWM1MDFmMzlhNmI4YjM4N2QyYzo3Ojg0MmY6OWEzYjZlYTQwNTQzNzk2OTFkMWU2NzQxZTc3N2NjMzI1NTIzODQ5ODljZmY4MTE3Yjc4YWU2MmE0ODA3MzU2NjpoOlQ6Tg") is the catalyst and connector for a shared community vision of London’s downtown, on behalf of members, in partnership with the City of London and in support of major economic development, cultural, educational, and private sector stakeholders. Our mission is to steward the levy paid by member businesses by leading and championing programs and investments that make London’s downtown a destination of choice and an economic centre that supports the entire community.