Local businesses recognized with 2021 Business Excellence Awards

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A handful of local businesses had their moment in the spotlight Thursday night during the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce’s 25th annual Business Excellence Awards ceremony.

The awards were handed out at Stratford’s Arden Park Hotel in front of a pandemic-restricted crowd of just 170 people – down from the event’s normal attendance of roughly 400 business owners, employees and family members. The event celebrates the past year’s successes of businesses in Stratford, St. Marys and the surrounding area across 11 categories, as adjudicated by a panel of judges lead this year by Krista Robinson of the Stratford Public Library.

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Hosted by investStratford CEO Joani Gerber and Teahen Kitchens & Cabinetry’s Courtney Teahen for the second straight year, the event’s keynote speaker was this year’s Business Leader Award winner, Rob Staffen. A local entrepreneur and philanthropist, Staffen shared the lessons he’s learned in growing his businesses with his family and the importance of giving back to the community.

“Entrepreneurship is why a lot of us are here tonight, and it’s brought me so much success in so many ways,” Staffen said. “But I’d like to kind of leave you with (a few) things that I believe as an entrepreneur — treat others the way you want to be treated and start that right away. Look after the little stuff — the details and the numbers really matter. Consider the long-term plan … and how you want to leave your business to your kids and how you want to leave it for your grandkids. How do you want to leave it for your community? Deal with things that have an essence of time that might benefit the community where we operate for generations to come.

“And my last little lesson is, it’s OK to fail. Fail, but fail smart.”

The 2021 Business Excellence Award winners are as follows:

• Awarded to a business that 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, the Business of the Year Award was presented to Aisin Canada Inc. in Stratford.
• Given to an accommodation and/or food business that has demonstrated exceptional customer service, staff knowledge, quality and consistency of product that has enhanced the stature of the community, the Hospitality Award was presented to Sunset Diner in St. Marys.
• Given to a not-for-profit that has significantly contributed to overall quality of life within the community and its citizens through programming and activities, the Non-Profit/Charitable Award was presented to the Technical Training Group in Stratford.
• Honouring an emerging business that has been exceptionally entrepreneurial in exploring opportunities, weighing risks, growing their operations and demonstrating both business achievement and steady financial performance, the Entrepreneur Award was presented to The Pulp in Stratford.
• Recognizing a business that provided services and/or products to people or businesses and consistently delivers excellence in service and support, the Commercial Award was presented to Nicholson Concrete in Stratford.
• Given to a business that has invented or developed an innovative product or process resulting in measurable and substantial increases in revenue, productivity, job creation, reduction in costs, or improvements in service, the Innovation Award was presented to Canadensys Aerospace Corporation in Stratford.
• Recognizing a manufacturer that has shown strong sales, taken advantage of growth opportunities, manufacturing or product innovation, and invested in new marketing initiatives, the Manufacturing Award was presented to Aisin Canada Inc. in Stratford.
• Given to a business that has demonstrated a commitment to best practices in customer service and support, the Service Award was presented to GOTECH Networking Solutions in Stratford.
• Awarded to a professional practice that demonstrates best practices in all areas of operation to ensure maximization of their capabilities and capacity through ongoing education, accreditation of employees and enhanced workplace opportunities, the Professional Award was presented to Vancea Financial Group Inc. in Stratford.
• Given to a retailer that has exhibited marketing and sales innovation, customer-service excellence and employee engagement, the Retail Award was presented to Swanson’s Jewellers in Stratford.