The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce celebrated local businesses during its annual gala Nov. 4.
“The businesses that we have recognized tonight have all made a commitment to being innovative, to finding new ways of engaging their customers, and to finding new and novel ways of staying in the forefront of their individual sectors,” said chamber president Monica Dale in a release. “It’s exciting to hear and see their success stories and other businesses should draw inspiration from what they are doing.”
A list of award winners follows:
Entrepreneur/Business of the Year: Superior Auto Group recognizing an entrepreneur or business that successfully demonstrates a progressive attitude toward employee relations, a positive public image, a reputation for excellence in customer service and their contribution to the community.
Customer Service Award: Sault College Employment Solutions for raising customer service to new standards of excellence and being a model for other businesses in the community to follow.
Business Development Award: Cavera Inc. for demonstrating a positive initiative for job creation and growth within the community.
Safe Work, Sound Business Award: Brookfield Renewable Energy Group for using a safe work management system, participating in workplace and / or community injury prevention programs, and having exceptionally good injury frequency and injury severity performance.
Environment Award: The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie for making a difference in making the environment better.
Young Entrepreneur/Business of the Year: Superior Nissan for demonstrating an innovative/creative approach to creating, marketing and promoting the business in addition to maintaining a positive public image and contributing to community activities.
Diversity Award: NORDIK Institute for embracing, celebrating and applying holistic inclusion and participation of a diverse people making the workplace a better environment in which to work, and the community a better place in which to live, work and raise a family.
Employer of Choice Award: Christie’s RV for having good people and community practices; demonstrating good human resources or management policies or practices, actively supporting professional development of staff, having good employee relations and training communications, demonstrating good health, safety and wellness practices, and demonstrating broad community involvement.
Strive YPG Young Professional Award: Giordan Zin, recognizing an exceptional young man or woman (aged 19 to 40) who successfully demonstrates excellence in their field in addition to maintaining a positive contribution and commitment to the Sault Ste. Marie community.
Athena Award: Susan Milne for her professional excellence, providing valuable service to her community, and for actively assisting women in the attainment of their professional goals and leadership skills.
Paul Dalseg Award: Donna Hilsinger for demonstrating exemplary interest in the community, and in so doing, made a major, outstanding and unique achievement or contribution to the life of the community.
Volunteer of the Year: Phil Becker to recognize his outstanding time, commitment and contribution to the Chamber over the years, or during the past year.
