The P.J. Gardiner Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of innovators who strengthen our province’s economy and business community and serve as a role model for today’s youth.

The Faculty of Business Administration and Gardiner Centre began recognizing entrepreneurs with the prestigious designation of Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur of the Year in 1986. In recognition of the first head of the School of Business Administration and Commerce at Memorial, the award was renamed the P.J. Gardiner Newfoundland and Labrador Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Peter J. Gardiner understood the value of developing an entrepreneurial culture in the province. His work in this area inspired the creation of the P.J. Gardiner Institute, an incubator-type unit operating under the umbrella of the business faculty that was designed to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in the local community.

It later merged with the Centre for Management Development to form Gardiner Centre, which today provides top quality management and professional development for business, education and government.

Nomination guidelines:

• Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6.
  
  
• Nominations are encouraged from any individual, business, or private or public organization in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  
  
• The nominee must be an alumni of Memorial University.
  
  
• Self nominations are welcome.
  
  
• This award recognizes sustained achievement over multiple years.
  
  
• Nominations are confidential and will be considered for two years.
  
  
• A selection committee comprised of representatives from the Faculty of Business Administration and the private sector will review nominations. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
  
  
• The nominator may be contacted by the selection committee to provide clarity or additional information regarding the nominee.
  
  
• The successful candidate must attend the annual Partners Celebration awards gala to receive the award. In 2026, Partners will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill Campus, in St. John’s.