Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth, Stratford Perth Museum and Demetre’s Family Eatery.
Those were some of the winners at Thursday night’s 2023 Business Excellence Awards put on by the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce.
The event celebrated the success of businesses in Stratford, St Marys, Mitchell and area over the past year in nine categories.
Judged by a panel of seven judges, the awards are in their 27th year and officials say they reflect a history of business growth, commitment to professional excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
Award Winners
The Business Leader Award went to Don McDougall. The award was presented by Danielle Walker (RBC).
The Hospitality Award is presented to an accommodation and/or food business which has demonstrated exceptional commitment to customer service, staff knowledge, quality and consistency of product and enhancing the public stature of the community. This year’s winner was Demetre’s Family Eatery. The award was given by Laurie Stephens (MTE)
The Non-Profit/Charitable Award is given annually to a not-for-profit that has significantly contributed to the overall quality of life within the community and its citizens through programming and activities. The award was presented to Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth and was presented by Amber Schalk (BDO)
The Entrepreneur Award is chosen to honour an emerging business which has been exceptionally entrepreneurial in exploring opportunities, weighing risks, growing their operations and demonstrating both business achievement and steady financial performance. Travis Blum (IG Wealth Management) presented the award to Black Creek Mobile Veterinary Services.
The Commercial Award recognizes a business which provided services and/or products to individuals or businesses and which consistently has delivered excellence in service and support of their product or service. Jeff Stewart General Carpentry was presented with the award by Darren Johnston (TD Commercial Banking)
The Innovation Award is presented to a business which has invented or developed an innovative product or process resulting in measurable and substantial increases in one or more areas – revenue, productivity, job creation, reduction in costs, and improvements in service – of products, management, manufacturing, customer service or technology. This year’s award was presented to Stratford Perth Museum by Jessica Thompson (University of Waterloo – Stratford School of interaction Design and Business)
The Manufacturing Award is chosen to recognize a manufacturer who has shown strong sales performance, taken advantage of growth opportunities, manufacturing or product innovation, and invested in new marketing initiatives. The award was presented to Lactalis by Lynn Eidt (Famme & Co)
The Service Award is given to a business who has demonstrated a continuing commitment to best practices in customer service and support. Humphrey Fleet Service received this year’s award from Mitchell Sullivan (BMO Bank of Montreal)
The Professional Award goes to a professional practice which demonstrates best practices in all areas of their operation to ensure maximization of their capabilities and capacity through ongoing education, accreditation of employees and enhanced workplace opportunities. The award went to Grit Engineering and was presented by Jason Nevin (UPAuto)
The Retail Award is given to a retailer who has exhibited marketing and sales innovation, customer service excellence, and employee engagement. This year’s winner was Wild Hog Country Market. The award was presented by Meredith Forget (Perth County)
The Business of the Year Award is awarded to a business which has demonstrated a commitment to professional ethics, excellence in customer service, a willingness to engage in innovation, an ongoing responsibility to its staff and an involvement in its community over the years. This year’s winner was Humphrey Fleet Service. The award was presented by Joani Gerber (InvestStratford).
