Friday, Feb 12th, was a day of celebration for the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce at the 2020 Business Excellence Awards Luncheon held at Centre 150. Sponsored by Scotiabank, the awards luncheon honoured nominees in six categories: Business Excellence (1-10), Business Excellence (11+), New Business of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Community Impact and Employee of the Year.
2020 Business Excellence Award recipients pictured from left to right: Hicken’s Service Centre, The West Isle Enterprises Awards for Business Excellence (1-10); Brye Caissie (Holman’s Ice Cream Parlour), Scotiabank Award for Employee of the Year; Arsenault Bros Co., The ADL Award for Business Excellence (11+); Skygate Videography & Aerial Drone Services, The Innovation PEI Award for Innovator of the Year; Little Black Dress, The CBDC Central PEI Award for New Business of the Year; Evermoore Brewery, The City of Summerside Award for Community Impact.
The winner of the Business Excellence (1-10) Award, sponsored by West Isle Enterprises, was Hicken’s Service Centre, presented to a business or organization which delivers a high quality product or service, contributes to the economic development of the area, is recognized as a good employer, has become a positive Island ambassador through its activities on or off Island and is a recognized leader in its field. Runners-up in this category included Global Pet Foods and Go Girls Fashions & Accessories Inc.
Arsenault Bros. Construction was the recipient of the Business Excellence (11+) Award, sponsored by ADL. This award is presented to a business or organization which delivers a high quality product or service, contributes to the economic development of the area, is recognized as a good employer, has become a positive Island ambassador through its activities on or off Island and is a recognized leader in its field. Finalists included PEI Bag Company and The Physio Centre.
The New Business of the Year Award, sponsored by CBDC Central PEI, recognizes a business in operation less than five years which demonstrates a clear understanding of the needs of its client base and fulfills them in a meaningful way, has adopted solid business principles to develop a firm business foundation and has developed a loyal customer base. The recipient of this year’s award was Little Black Dress. Award runners-up included Atlantic Nanofend Group, PEI Cleaning Fairies and the FIX.
The Innovator of the Year Award, sponsored by Innovation PEI, is given to a business or organization which in the past year has courageously stepped outside the box to solve a business problem, identify and fulfill a new customer need or niche, develop innovative marketing or technology solutions to drive its business forward and change its business model or turn its business around. Skygate Videography & Aerial Drone Services was the winner in this category. Runners-up included Beyond the Bridge Therapy Centre and The Recovery Studio.
The Community Impact Award, sponsored by the City of Summerside, went to Evermoore Brewery Co. This award recognizes a business or organization which creates a positive social, cultural or economic impact upon the community by contributing personal or employee volunteer time to the community, provides financial support to other organizations through sponsorship or donations and encourages economic development and well-being in the community through the provision of services that will help others. Other finalists in this category were Free Store, PEI Military Family Resource Centre and Telus Business Solutions.
The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce also recognized Brye Caissie (Holman’s Ice Cream Parlour) as the recipient of Employee of the Year Award, sponsored by the Scotiabank. This award is presented to an individual who may or may not be in a customer-facing position but demonstrates company values on a daily basis, through word or deed, supports the company’s mission and other members of the team, continually strives to deliver quality work which will enhance the company’s success and is a positive company ambassador on and off the job.
For the first time in the Business Excellence Awards history, attendees pre-ordered their lunch from a menu comprised of local dine-in restaurants. The participating restaurants included Brothers 2, Pizza Delight, Samuel’s Coffee House, South Central Kitchen and Provisions and Z&G’s Specialty Fusion Cuisine.
The Business Excellence Awards are held annually by the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce in celebration of excellence in the local business community.