Burlington Chamber of Commerce's 2020 Business Excellence Awards Go Virtual
Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of this year's Burlington Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards!
Last night I was thrilled to attend this beloved annual event in its creative and innovative new virtual format. We still dressed up (everyone looked fantastic), we still had 'tables' (through Zoom rooms) and we still had delicious gourmet meals (delivered by some of Burlington's best caterers and restaurants). We watched presenters and recipients live on screen and it was a seamless experience for everyone involved. I cannot thank Carla Nell and her team at the Chamber of Commerce for the work they put into making this happen in such a memorable way. In times like these, it is more important than ever to come together and celebrate the good things, and that's exactly what we did.Three of the awards each year are "Mayor's Awards" and I was so glad to be able to give them out to some very deserving organizations from our community.
The Mayor's Sustainable Green Business Award went to Park Market & Refillery. This award recognizes businesses who place sustainability and green practices alongside profitability. The environment is a genuine priority for our council and our city, and this business is helping by being a mobile shop for consumers to purchase and refill home and body goods without single-use packaging. Their goal is simple: to provide consumers and businesses with zero-waste living solutions. Erika Minkhorst accepted the award and I congratulate her and her team for their innovative and stylish approach to helping our economy and our environment.
The Mayor's Community Service - Business Award goes to Bozek Orthodontics. Dr. John Bozek and an exceptional team around him consistently and quietly donates their time and money to countless initiatives in our community each year and 2019 was no exception. From Jammies for Families for the Compassion Society, their sponsorship of local sports teams, and their involvement with Our Community Cares’ holiday drive, The Angel Project hockey tournament, and Food4Kids Halton, they made a wonderful impact on the people of Burlington.
The Mayor's Community Service - Not for Profit Award for 2019 goes to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 here in Burlington. As many of you know, last year was a big year for commemorating our veterans with the 75th anniversary of D-Day. I was fortunate to attend in person along with one of our most celebrated D-Day vets and legion member, Jim Warford, who sadly passed away earlier this year. I know he was overjoyed to be there for that celebration and it was wonderful to see him and so many veterans appreciated for the role they played in the end of WWII.I met many other local veterans as we put on our own celebration at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre last year called Juno75 and the legion's involvement, led by Bob Ankrett, was instrumental to that event's sold-out success.The freedoms we enjoy today are thanks to the service and sacrifice these soldiers and their families made and continue to make. They deserve our deep gratitude and support, and one of the ways they are taken care of and stay connected and engaged is through the consistent and compassionate work being done by the legion, its members and volunteers.Congratulations to all the other winners last night who have contributed both to our economy and our community. The full list of winners can be found here.If you missed the live virtual awards night, you can watch a recording of it below: