Charlottetown, PE – The Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce will safely host the 15th annual President’s Excellence Awards, sponsored by Atlantic Lottery, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward. The Awards gala will follow all COVID-19 public health guidelines and will be presented as a hybrid event, allowing both in-person and virtual audiences to participate and celebrate business successes.
“While the past 11 months have been incredibly challenging for our business community, there have been many examples of resiliency in the face of adversity,” said Colin Younker, President of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “The Chamber looks forward to coming together safely to recognize the innovation, hard work, and commitment that our business community continues to demonstrate.”
Twenty-four finalists will be recognized for their excellence in ten different award categories during the Chamber’s most prestigious night of the year.
As part of this year’s Awards Gala, the Chamber will introduce two special award categories that recognize our leaders, businesses, and community organizations’ resiliency, adaptability, collaboration, and success during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Celebrating the successes of our local business community is very important to us at Atlantic Lottery,” said Chris Keevill, Atlantic Lottery President and CEO. “We’re proud to sponsor the President’s Excellence Awards after a particularly challenging year and believe that every small business nominated is a winner.”
Over 75 organizations were nominated by their peers for these prestigious business awards. An independent panel of six judges adjudicated the submissions and selected three finalists in each category.
The Excellence in Business Award is given to a for-profit business that has been operating for over ten years and has demonstrated excellence in all areas of business operations. The 2021 finalists are JEMS Boutique, Maximus Canada – DeltaWare Division, and Wendell Taylor’s Garage.
The Emerging Business Excellence Award, sponsored by the City of Charlottetown, is presented to a business that has been operating for between two and five years and has demonstrated significant growth, innovation, and leadership in their industry. The HOPYARD, Leading Edge Group, and Odyssey Virtual are the finalists in this category.
The Workplace Excellence Award recognizes an organization that provides employees with a positive, healthy, and productive workplace through its innovative human resources practices, resulting in high employee satisfaction and retention. The finalists in this category include Glasgow Hills Resort & Golf Club, Receiver Coffee Company, and UPSTREET CRAFT BREWING.
The Excellence in Customer Service Award, co-sponsored by Cox & Palmer and BDO, recognizes an organization with a strong commitment to outstanding customer service, customer loyalty, and community involvement. Honoured in this category are Charlottetown Home Hardware, Hunter’s Ale House, and Glasgow Hills Resort & Golf Club.
The Not-for-Profit Excellence Award recognizes the accomplishments of an organization in the not-for-profit sector that has established a reputation for delivering a high level of programs and/or services, a track record of efficient and effective management, and strong board governance. Canadian Mental Health Association – P.E.I Division, Kiwanis Club of Charlottetown, and The Upper Room Hospitality Ministry Food Bank & Soup Kitchen are the finalists in this category.
The People’s Choice for Community Impact Award, sponsored by MRSB Group, recognizes a for-profit business that has earned an engaged and loyal following and support from the community. The winner will be determined through an online voting poll that opens on January 27 and closes on February 3. The finalists for this category include Leading Edge Group, UPSTREET CRAFT BREWING, and Wendell Taylor’s Garage.
The following awards have been added for 2021 to celebrate those businesses that pivoted and persevered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Excellence in Collaboration Award, sponsored by the Confederation Centre of the Arts, recognizes two or more uniquely owned businesses that displayed innovation and resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic by forming a new partnership to deliver a successful and unique product and/or service. 3rd Degree Training, Piatto Pizzeria+Enoteca Charlottetown, and Terry’s Berries are the finalists in this category.
The Excellence in Adaptation & Resiliency Award, sponsored by BioVectra, recognizes a business that has shown resiliency in the face of adversity by introducing or improving a product/service to better fit the new environment caused by COVID-19. The finalists in this category are Copper Bottom Brewing, MacKinnon’s Lobster Pound – Lobster on the Wharf, and Terry’s Berries.
The recipients of the Chamber Volunteer Excellence Award, sponsored by Maritime Electric, and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Provincial Credit Union, are determined by an Executive Committee of the Chamber and will be announced at a later date.
It is our utmost priority to follow all provincial public health guidelines concerning large, organized gatherings. All necessary and recommended measures will be put in place. This event will follow an approved operational plan to ensure our guests, volunteers, production crew, and staff’s safety.
Supporting event sponsors include print sponsor KKP, media sponsors The Guardian and Ocean 100/Hot 105.5, and silver sponsor Innovation P.E.I.
Registration for the President’s Excellence Awards will open on Friday, January 29. Tickets can be purchased by emailing Tania Crouse Hardy tchardy@charlottetownchamber.com or calling the Chamber office at 902-628-2000 ext. 226.
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