CENTRE WELLINGTON – With only a few technological glitches and one rainy day, Sally Litchfield is calling the five-day Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s Awards of Excellence campaign a success.
As general manager of the organization, Litchfield said she and her staff wanted to create a format for the ceremony that would be “pandemic-proof” – that is, able to withstand lockdowns and limits on gathering sizes and still offer an experience for nominees to celebrate the great things that have been happening in the business community.
“I think we made the right choice,” Litchfield said in an interview after the event was over. “Last year we had the gala planned, then had to pivot when the pandemic started,” she said.
With just four weeks to come up with another option, the 2020 ceremony turned into a drive-in event with guests remaining in their cars.
This year the event was a mix of live and virtual presentations from June 14 to 18.
Litchfield broadcasted live on Facebook each day from a different sponsor site and nominees attended via Zoom with four or five awards presented each day.
Once the winners were announced, staff travelled to the winner and presented the award in person.
Litchfield said the in-person gala would typically attract 200 or 300 people.
The Zoom/Facebook format saw 400 to 500 viewers each day.
“We’re thinking next year it could be hybrid,” she said.
“We’re dying to get back to the in-person event, but we also like the idea that anyone in the community could watch.”
Litchfield said especially in a pandemic year, it was important to draw attention to the innovative and creative businesses and individuals who were able to carry on through the hardship.
“We never considered doing nothing,” she said. “[These awards] are so important to the business community at large.”
The awards were hosted by local businesses Ecclestone Financial Group, The Wild Tart, McDonalds, Grand River Agricultural Society and Skyline Group of Companies.
The event also featured celebration boxes filled with food, drinks and other gifts provided by local businesses.
The boxes were given to nominees, and able to be purchased by other event supporters.
And the winners are:
Customer Service Excellence Award – the Breadalbane Inn;
Tradesperson Award – Record Tel Inc.;
Long Service Award – 25 Years in business:
- Fergus Fireplace;
- Grand River Booster Magazine;
- M & M Food Market;
- Made You Look Design;
- The Ostic Group;
- Pinetree Pet Care Centre Ltd.;
- Ralph Basset Associates Inc.;
- Ron’s Auto Service Inc.;
- Upper Grand Eye Care;
- Venskab Inc. / Zenamin Horse Supplement;
- The Village Barber; and
- Wellington Perforated Sheet & Plate Inc.
Long Service Award – 40 Years:
- Billings Construction;
- CVR Machining Inc.;
- Hospice Wellington; and
- Ken Feakins Antiques.
Employer of the Year – Baker Tilly GWD;
Community Social Responsibility Award – Sensational Elora;
Cultural, Arts, Tourism Impact Award – Inner Joy Getaways Inc.;
Business of the Year – Optimum Integrative Health Centre;
Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Ali McDonald of Infinity Marketing & Design;
Environmental Excellence Award – Ergo Advantage Inc.;
Business of the Year – Optimum Integrative Health Centre;
Not for Profit Award – Portage Ontario;
Agricultural / Agri-Business Award – Wellington County Farm & Home Safety Association;
President’s Award – presented posthumously to Paul Walker;
Corporate Citizen of the Year – Brew House on the Grand;
Youth Citizen of the Year – Rachel Mulder; and
Citizen of the Year – Don Vallery.
Specialty Sponsors include: Centre Wellington, Mallot Creek Group, RLB Chartered Professional Accountants, Ecclestone Financial Group, Grand River Agricultural Society, McDonald’s, The Wild Tart and Skyline Group of Companies.
