The Ottawa Business Journal’s (OBJ) 2025 Book of Lists launch party is a cornerstone event in the city’s business calendar, marking the publication's 25th anniversary. The Book of Lists is an essential resource for Ottawa’s business community, providing crucial information about local businesses across various industries. The publication features over 30 lists, covering more than 650 companies in sectors ranging from accounting and federal contracts to construction. It also includes over 10 charts on Ottawa’s business trends and profiles of more than 250 influential leaders. The event brought together nearly 300 influential business leaders, spotlighting the city’s top companies and offering a prime opportunity for networking and sharing valuable industry insights.

Among the prominent organizations represented at the event were Scotiabank, KPMG, TAP Institute, TD Bank, Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall, and many others. Michael Curran, Publisher and President of OBJ, expressed his enthusiasm about the turnout, noting, “We didn’t anticipate that type of turnout. It’s incredibly encouraging to see business leaders so eager to celebrate this publication after a quarter century.” Curran emphasized, “The Book of Lists still, today, in a very convenient and efficient way, helps people understand the business community on a sector-by-sector, industry-by-industry basis.”

The publication’s evolution reflects the changing business landscape. Originating in the 1990s, the research process originally relied on fax machines to send and receive questionnaires from organizations, inspired by similar publications in the United States. Companies now receive automated emails to verify or update their data before publication. This innovation has enabled OBJ to create an online database that is twice the size of the printed edition. Reflecting on the changes, Curran remarked, “It’s amazing to see how this publication has changed over the years. There was a time when the Book of Lists survey was done by fax machine. Can you imagine? These days, we have sophisticated software that is much more efficient and convenient, and that’s allowed us to create an online database for the first time.”

Susan Habib, a researcher for The Book of Lists, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Researching The Book of Lists each year is fascinating, especially as Ottawa’s business landscape evolves. Last year, the launch of the online Data Centre added valuable insights, complementing the Book of Lists in exciting new ways.”

The launch itself was a memorable evening, featuring exquisite cocktails and gourmet hors d'oeuvres provided by My Catering Group, plus a unique security demonstration by the Book of Lists sponsor, Commissionaires Ottawa. They showcased a range of services, including physical, electronic, and cybersecurity, with live demos of their digital fingerprinting services. Michel Charron, Chief Executive Officer at Commissionaires Ottawa, emphasized the value of sponsoring the Book of Lists, highlighting how it creates opportunities that benefit his organization and the broader local business community.

The Canadian War Museum, the event's venue and sponsor, added to the occasion’s uniqueness. Many attendees experienced the museum for the first time in a business context, receiving a private tour of its special exhibition. Caroline Dromaguet, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum, expressed her excitement about hosting the event and its role in fostering positive growth and collaboration among local professionals.

Looking ahead, OBJ aims to continue expanding the lists, with a particular focus on emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and fintech. “What’s interesting is that the business community, because of technological change and innovation, continues to evolve. Even the types of businesses are changing,” Curran noted.

The 2025 Book of Lists launch not only celebrated a key milestone for OBJ but also underscored the innovative spirit and dynamic growth of Ottawa's business landscape. The evening served as a reminder that Ottawa's business community continues to thrive, adapt, and evolve in the face of technological advancements and industry shifts.

Printed copies of the 2025 Book of Lists can be purchased through the OBJ website. Access to the OBJ Data Centre, which offers digital access to the lists, is available to OBJ Insiders.

References:

OBJ360 Content Studio. (2020, November 26). Background checks and fingerprinting services that are easy and convenient – Ottawa Business Journal. Ottawa Business Journal. https://obj.ca/background-checks-and-fingerprinting-services-that-are-easy-and-convenient/