Friday, June 26, 2026
Downtown Halifax Business Commission hosts AGM on the Harbour Queen and celebrates six longstanding businesses with “years of service” award
(Halifax/Kjipuktuk, N.S.) – Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) welcomed over 100 business members and stakeholders aboard the Harbour Queen yesterday, for their 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
On the agenda were your typical AGM items; remarks from the CEO and Board Chair, a review of DHBC’s annual successes, voting on new board members, and new this year, DHBC has created the Downtown Halifax “Business Achievement” Awards.
“We’re hoping to make this an annual thing, recognizing our business members for years of service, excellence, and for their contribution to Downtown Halifax,” says Paul MacKinnon, CEO, DHBC.
The 2026 Downtown Halifax “Business Achievement” Award Recipients:
Est. 1949: Midtown Tavern and Lounge Ltd.
Est. 1930: The Westin Nova Scotian
Est. 1886: Zwicker’s Gallery
Est. 1859: McInnes Cooper
Est. 1833: Consulate General of the U.S.A.
Est. 1820: Alexander Keith’s Brewery
The 2026 Downtown Halifax “Business Achievement” Award Recipients:
“Alexander Keith’s Brewery has been a cornerstone of Halifax’s brewing heritage for 206 years. That’s a long time,” says Matt Miles, General Manager at Alexander Keith’s. “It was 1817 at age 22 when Alexander Keith immigrated from Scotland to Halifax. He was Nova Scotia’s first certified brewmaster and served as Mayor of Halifax three times. Mr. Keith, and the Keith’s Brewery, has left an enduring mark celebrating our province’s proud tradition of craftsmanship, hospitality, and Nova Scotia good times.”
“We are honoured to receive this recognition from DHBC,” says Catherine Watson Coles, Office Lead Partner, Halifax, McInnes Cooper. “For over 160 years, McInnes Cooper has supported clients through defining moments in Halifax’s history and the region’s growth. We remain deeply committed to this city, and to helping businesses here and across Canada succeed in what comes next.”
DHBC’s Board of Directors is a governance board, meant to oversee the organization at a strategic level, outlining and monitoring objectives, and providing financial oversight. They oversee DHBC’s CEO and $2.5M budget. It is comprised of (max) 16 members of the Downtown Halifax business community. For more information on DHBC’s Board of Directors and the nomination process visit, downtownhalifax.ca/board.
“Today, we are happy to welcome Emily MacNeil, with Nova Scotia Power, Kuda Ndadzungira, with CIBC, and Guy Wellard, with Cox & Palmer to DHBC’s 2026-2027 Board of Directors,” says Marilisa Benigno, DHBC’s Board Chair.
DHBC’s 2026 - 2027 Board of Directors: (*Executive) (New)
Faten Alshazly, WeUsThem & HealthEMe
Dana Beeler, Discover Halifax
*Marilisa Benigno, Benigno Group of Companies – Chair
Glenn Bowie, The Westin Nova Scotian
*Melissa Carey, RCR Hospitality Group – Member at Large
*Kristan Hines, NATIONAL Public Relations – Member at Large
Raeesa Lalani, Prismatic Arts Festival
Emily MacNeil, Nova Scotia Power
*Joe McGuinness, Platinum Group – Vice-Chair
*Blaise Morrison, The Armour Group Limited – Secretary/Treasurer
Kuda Ndadzungira, CIBC
Courtney Ordway, Build Nova Scotia & Kind Bridal
Jeremy Smith, Freak Lunchbox & 328 Properties
Guy Wellard, Cox & Palmer
Jake Whalen, Halifax Regional Municipality
Peter Wüensch, Breakhouse
To view DHBC’s 2025-2026 Annual Report visit, downtownhalifax.ca/dataandreporting.
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For more information please contact:
Jayme Lynn Butt, DHBC’s Communications Manager, jayme@downtownhalifax.ca