Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce presents Awards of Excellence

Kathy Bouma named Citizen of the Year at gala in Elora

June 2, 2023 @ 12:06 pmBusiness, News

Kathy Bouma, left, is presented with the Citizen of the Year award by Sally Litchfield at the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce's Awards of Excellence gala on May 30. Photo by Chris Zimmerman
The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce's Awards of Excellence gala was held on May 30 at the GrandWay Events Centre in Elora. The theme for this year’s gala was Denim and Diamonds. Photo by Chris Zimmerman
Dr. Samantha Sapi of Fergus Naturopathic Clinic and her colleague Paul Dalton won the business of the year award. Photo by Chris Zimmerman
From left: Jenny Bilton, Dr. Maura McKeown and Dr. Julia Chrapka won the Excellence in Innovation award for Dr. Maura McKeown and Associates. Photo by Chris Zimmerman

ELORA – The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s (CWCC) annual Awards of Excellence Gala was held on May 30 at The GrandWay Events Centre here.

Presented by OLG and the Township of Centre Wellington, the event was also livestreamed for those wanting to tune-in virtually.  

“Our goal was, as always, to recognize our nominees, sponsors, and winners to the best of our ability, with a reach that extends to the far corners of the CW community and beyond,” stated CWCC CEO Sally Litchfield. 

“We were thrilled to have over 230 people in attendance, representing over 150 businesses, celebrating 70 nominees across 11 categories.

“This event truly is a celebration of the business community.”  

Awards were presented at the May 30 gala included:

  • Citizen of the Year to Kathy Bouma;
  • Youth Citizen of the Year went to Jesse Duhacek;
  • Employer of the Year went to Nicole Drake Wright of Your Fairy Godmother;
  • Business of the Year went to Fergus Naturopathic Clinic;
  • Corporate Citizen of the Year went to ICS Computers;
  • Community Social Responsibility Award to the Giving Spot;
  • Environmental Excellence Award to 1847 Stone Milling Inc.;
  • Excellence in Innovation to Dr. Maura McKeown and Associates;
  • Cultural, Arts, Tourism Impact Award to the Fergus Medieval Faire;
  • President’s Award went to the GrandWay Events Centre;
  • Customer Service Excellence Award to Studio Boutique; and
  • Entrepreneur of the Year went to Misty Blue Photography.

Long Service Awards, presented on May 24 at the Launch Lunch, went to:

  • The Elora Community Theatre for 50 years in the community (celebrated in 2022);
  • Graham A. Giddy Funeral Homes Ltd. & H & R Machine for 40 years in business (celebrated in 2022);  
  • AL-DO-IT, Cut & Design, Correct Fire & Security, Gorge Country Kitchen, Ian Evans & Associates Inc., MACH ONE Communications, My Next Promo, Precision Outdoor Power, Riverwood Retreat B&B for 25 years of service (celebrated in 2022);
  • Autism Behavioural Services Inc., Comhan Canada Inc., The Grand at 101, The Grape House, Horizon Quest Inc., Kelly Gemmell Photography, NexGEN  Marketing Group, REMAX Real Estate Centre Inc. ~ Janette Gajic, Sensational You, Blue Bonnet Lassies School of Highland Dance,  and Wreckless Eric for 10 years in the community (celebrated in 2022); and
  • Fergus Whalers Jr. C Hockey Club, IMpower Wellness, Sparkle Factor Inc., Super Helper 911 Inc., Vault Cafe Bar, 519 Blanks & Crafts and The Outpost Bottle Shop for surviving their first year in business (businesses establshed in 2022).

Litchfield also thanked the co-presenting sponsors OLG and the Township of Centre Wellington, and the specialty sponsors RLB Chartered Professional Accountants, The Bar Store, Lisa Bloor Remax Team, Elements Casino Grand River, Habitat for Humanity, McDonalds Fergus, Enbridge Gas, Four Fathers Brewing Company, Skyline, Ron Wilkin Jewellers, Studio Boutique, Broderick’s Clothing Co, Shoetopia,  The GrandWay, Bensol Consulting, Elora Fergus Today, Wightman, The Elora Mill and The Grand at 101.  

The recording of the livestream will be available in the coming days at www.cwchamber.ca/awards.

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