CENTRE WELLINGTON -– The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) has announced the nominees for this year’s Awards of Excellence, as well as the event plan in what will be another COVID-adjusted year.
“Last year, we spent a lot of time in limbo when it came to this event,” said Sally Litchfield, general manager of the chamber.
“With all of that in mind, we have created a plan that is quite resilient to changing restrictions (and not in danger of being rained out)!”
In lieu of the annual gala, CWCC will be Live on Location every day from June 14 to 18.
Each day three awards will be presented from a different sponsor location. The presentations will be broadcast on Facebook Live, and available to watch afterwards. The exact schedule for that week will be announced in May.
Ashley-Ann Maginnis, chair of the adjudication committee, said 85 nominations were received – double what was seen in previous years – and 61 nominations are announced:
Agriculture – Agri-Business: Lau-tea-da Lentils and Wellington County Farm and Home Safety Association.
Business of the Year: Baker Tilly GWD, Cocoon Interiors, Elora Distilling Company, Inner Joy Getaways Inc., NexGen Marketing Group, Optimum Integrative Health Centre, Pedrito Navajas Barbershop, Price Team Mortgages, Rowantree Landscapes Inc., String Theory Yarn Shop, The Wild Tart, and Wightman.
Citizen of the Year: Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy, Don Vallery, Katie Giddy, and Neil Dunsmore.
Community Social Responsibility: Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora, Sensational Elora – Festival of the Senses, and Swanieta Kruizenga.
Corporate Citizen of the Year: Fergus Educational Services, Grand River Agricultural Society, Linda Sinclair – Special Effects Ladies Wear, Motion Electrical Contracting, and The Brew House on the Grand.
Cultural, Arts, Tourism Impact: Grand River Outfitting & Fly Shop, Inner Joy Getaways Inc., The Elora Singers, and The Wild Tart.
Customer Service Excellence: Alpha Graphics & Signs, Ambiances Gourmandes, Elora Physiotherapy, Klutz Enterprises, Nick’s Quick Delivery, Nicole Drake Wright, One Axe Pursuits, Refreshed and Refined Interiors, String Theory Yarn Shop, The Breadalbane Inn, and WR Designs.
Employer of the Year: Ambiances Gourmandes, Baker Tilly GWD, Motion Electrical Contracting, RLB Chartered Professional Accountants, and Wightman.
Environmental Excellence: Ergo Advantage and Fraberts Fresh Food.
Not for Profit: Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington, Portage Ontario, and Upper Grand Learning Foundation.
Skilled Trades or Professional: Mike Hall – Conestogo Mechanical, Phil McCulloch – Record Tel Inc.
Young Entrepreneur: Gents & Kings Barberlounge, Infinity Marketing & Design, One Branch Creations, Resourceful Me Art Therapy, and SIP Entertainment.
Youth Citizen of the Year: Kaitlyn McPherson, Liz Teel, and Rachel Mulder.
Long Service awards will also be given to businesses that are 25 and 40 (or more) years old.
For the latest event updates, visit www.cwchamber.ca/events.
