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Outstanding!
Celebrating 'best of the best' among nominees for the 2004 Outstanding Business Achievement Award
First Monday, February 2004
Cover Story
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Its billing as the premiere event of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce left no one attending this year's Outstanding Business Achievement Awards disappointed, with the possible exception of those who were nominated but not called to the stage when the envelopes were opened.
But that aside (and as outgoing Chamber chair Marty Raaymakers pointed out, everyone as the Jan. 31 event was a winner) even those who weren't up for one of 11 prizes had an opportunity to see what it took to "wow" this year's judges.
Beginning with eight Business Achievement Awards and later the presentation of three Business Excellence Awards chosen from among the eight winners, the awards presentation represents a sifting through of the very best in area business practices.
Quite simply, Jan. 31 at the Imperial Oil Centre for the Performing Arts was a night to honour the best of the best.
And yes, to be entertained, with the drum-beating Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble as well as "Ivanka" (aka Jo-Ann Waytowich) and First Monday's own Holly Mayea, who (accompanied by Stephanie Smith) gave the crowd a humorous rendition of "the nominees" for Outstanding Customer Service.
Emcees were Sarah ("Woody") Woodley and Dave ("Burge") Burgess of Radio Sarnia's K106.3.
There was little doubt this was a time to celebrate winners and the achievements that brought them to the stage.
Those winners included:
Bluewater Health (formerly Lambton Hospitals Group), Business Achievement Award winner in the Employee Relations category. CEO David Vigar accepted the award on behalf of Bluewater Health.
The Communication Technology Award went to CanWeb Internet Services Ltd., accepted by founders Dave Grant and Jackie Grant.
The 2004 Young Entrepreneur Award went to Jennifer Crawford, of Caryl Baker Visage (located in Lambton Mall).
The Entrepreneur Award was picked up by Carol Drope, of Creekside Picture Framing Company, for her efforts in "developing an idea to meet changing community and consumer demands."
A new award for 2004, the Business Leadership Award was won by Doug Loucks, of Point Edward/Sarnia Holiday Inn.
Another new category, the Marketing and Innovation Award saw Store-N-Save take top honours, represented by Dave Fryer, district manager, and Julie Price, assistant manager.
For Outstanding Customer Service, which has two categories representing small (for firms with 15 or fewer employees) and large (more than 15), John Duff Limited (and owner Tara Duff-Close) won in the small category; Ranson Industrial in the large (and accepted by Bob Gladwish Jr.).
The three Business Excellence Award winners selected fro among the Business Achievement honourees included Jennifer Crawford, of Caryl Baker Visage, Store-N-Save, and Carol Drope, of Creekside Picture Framing Company.
First Monday has plans to profile many of the 2004 Outstanding Business Achievement Award winners in the months ahead.
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