Stratford and area business honoured at chamber's Business Excellence Awards
The Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 Business Excellence Awards at a gala at the Best Western Plus Arden Park Hotel on Thursday.
Article content
The Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 Business Excellence Awards at a gala at the Best Western Plus Arden Park Hotel on Thursday. With a sold-out audience of close to 400, the 28th annual event celebrated the success of businesses in Stratford, St Marys, Mitchell and area over the past year in nine categories. Judged by a panel of seven judges chaired by Krista Robinson, the awards recognized business growth, commitment to professional excellence, innovation and community engagement.
“It’s an evening to celebrate all area businesses and to recognize those who were nominated in the various categories,” chamber general manager Eddie Matthews said.
The following are the award winners:
Business Leader Award: Breen Bentley and family.
Non-Profit/Charitable Award: Wellspring Stratford Cancer Support Centre. The award is given to a not-for-profit that has significantly contributed to the overall quality of life within the community and its citizens through programming and activities.
Service Award: Modo Yoga Stratford. The award goes to a service business that demonstrates a consistent adherence to the excellent business practices necessary to deliver the highest quality service and support to their clients/customers.
Enterprise Award: Vicwest. The award is presented to a manufacturing, agricultural or distribution business or organization that has created, invented or developed an innovative product or process that has resulted in a significant and measurable increase in any of the following areas: Product or process development, employee culture, job creation, increase in sales growth and community involvement. The recipient business executes best practices in all areas of their operation to ensure maximization of its capabilities and capacity.
Emerging Business Award: Chok. Fine Chocolates. The award is presented to an entrepreneur who has been in business for one to five years and has investigated the opportunities, weighed the risks and developed a strong and successful business through effective business practices, community engagement and entrepreneurial spirit. This business has demonstrated significant business achievement, sustainable financial performance, exhibited resilience to economic challenges and has gone above and beyond in their business and in the community.
Hospitality Award: Social Thirty-One. The award is presented to an accommodation, food service or tourism operation that has enhanced the allure of the community. This recognition is for those demonstrating a commitment to excellence in hospitality/customer service, staff knowledge, quality and consistency of product and community involvement. The recipient business not only excels in its service but also plays a pivotal role in enriching the overall hospitality experience in the community.
Retail Award: Rheo Thompson Candies. The award is awarded to an independent brick-and-mortar or online retailer whose business is located within Stratford and area. The recipient business excels in selling merchandise, demonstrating commitment, innovation and excellence in their field while providing exceptional customer service.
Skilled Trades Award: D&S Downham Equipment Ltd. The award goes to a business that excels in providing skilled trade services to individuals or businesses. The recipient demonstrates a consistent adherence to excellent business practices and the high standards necessary to deliver quality service and support to its clients and customers.
Trailblazing Award: Lynn River Farm & Graze Farm Dinners. The award is presented to a business that is characterized by its innovative spirit and pioneering approach. This business has introduced a novel idea or technology, which may even have revolutionized its industry. It exhibits adaptability, responding agilely to market changes and customer needs. This business type often leads in sustainability and ethical practices, showing a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Moreover, it’s marked by strong leadership and a visionary mindset, inspiring others and driving progress in its field.
Professional Award: Peter Maranger & Associates Inc. (Co-operators). The award is presented to a business that provides professional services to individuals or businesses. The recipient business executes best practices in all areas of its operation to ensure maximization of their capabilities, capacity and excellence in the outstanding service they provide. The recipient business demonstrates a commitment to the ongoing education, skills development or professional accreditation of its employees.
Business of the Year Award: D&S Downham Equipment Ltd. The award goes to a business that has demonstrated a commitment to professional ethics, excellence in customer service, a willingness to engage in innovation, an ongoing responsibility to its staff and an involvement in its community over the years.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.