What a Night: Highlights from the BCBC Excellence Awards Gala 2025

Some things get better with age, our Gala is one of them.

Last week, we gathered 220 guests at the stunning Art Gallery of Ontario for the 4th edition of the BCBC Excellence Awards Gala.

Four years in, and it’s safe to say: the energy, the spirit, and the connections only keep growing stronger.

Before the Spotlight: Behind the Scenes

They say good things come to those who hustle. True that. From coordinating RSVPs to polishing speeches and finalizing menus, the weeks leading up to the Gala were a whirlwind of planning and excitement.Bringing together business leaders, partners, and friends is no small feat, but thanks to the incredible team behind BCBC, it all came together seamlessly.

(Okay, let’s just say coffee consumption hit an all-time high.)

A Night to Remember

The venue set the tone: the Art Gallery of Ontario, one of Toronto’s most iconic spaces, offered the perfect blend of elegance and inspiration.

Guests enjoyed a beautiful evening filled with engaging conversations, Belgian charm, and a refined dinner that added to the atmosphere of celebration.A huge thank you to our co-hosts, Albane Chateau and Xavier Van Overmeire, our BCBC President, whose warmth, humour, and impeccable style brought the evening to life. Their speeches reminded us why BCBC continues to thrive: it’s about the people who show up, share, and lead.

We were proud to celebrate our 2025 winners:

• 🏆 Belgian Company of the Year – UCB

• 🏆 Canadian Company of the Year – McCain Foods

• 🏆 Rising Star – Tractebel

• 🏆 Taste of Belgium – Marvellous by Fred

  

  

  

  

Congratulations to all! Your achievements reflect the best of Belgian-Canadian excellence.

A Bittersweet Farewell

This Gala was also a special one as we said a heartfelt thank you to His Excellency Ambassador Patrick Van Gheel and Counselor Maxime Ramon. It was their final Gala with us during their mandates, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering support of BCBC over the years. You will always have a home with us.

Behind Every Great Gala...

…is a great team.From our volunteers to our event organizers, thank you.This evening was a success because of your dedication, energy, and (let’s be honest) extraordinary patience.

Should you come to the next one? Yes.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of coming together in person.The Excellence Awards Gala isn’t just another event, it’s a powerful reminder that business is built on relationships, trust, and community.

Events like these create the rare moments where connections spark, collaborations are born, and ideas are shared not across screens, but face-to-face, with a smile, a handshake, or a simple laugh over a glass of wine.

At BCBC, we believe that unity fuels opportunity.The Gala is a celebration of Belgian-Canadian excellence, yes, but it’s also a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together: strong partnerships, mutual support, and a vibrant business community that lifts each other up.

In the end, the true award isn't the trophy you take home, it's the network you build, the conversations you spark, and the friendships that last long after the lights go down.

Picture Perfect: The Gallery

A big shoutout to our photographer, Camila Guns, for capturing the magic of the night. Relive the evening, or see what you missed : 

Pictures Gala 2025

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We’re already looking forward to next year. See you then! ⚫️🟡🔴