THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce award announced the winners in 12 categories for this year’s 31st annual Business Excellence Awards on May 15 at Fort William Gardens.
“We think it's important for us to really shine a light on the amazing businesses that we have here in our community this year," said Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.
"Specifically, we're celebrating the 140th anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce, so we're also shining a light on the importance of business to the community and how the community has grown over the years."
She said the award categories span many aspects of businesses, large or small, including non-profit.
“We have a category around looking good for businesses that have done something to improve the way their business looks, maybe a new building, that sort of thing. We have the Game Changer award, which is recognizing businesses that have done something really innovative and new to change the way that they serve their customers,” said Robinson.
“And, we have a diversity, equity, and inclusion award, which is a new award this year, which is acknowledging those businesses that are really focusing on trying to build a more inclusive community and an inclusive business.”
Jesse Treyer, owner and lead consultant of Northern Peak HR, said he was overwhelmed when he was named winner of the New Business Excellence Award.
“To be honest with you, I wasn't sure what to expect when coming here and, even in terms of the event, and it's extremely well done and a lot bigger than what I expected to be honest with you, but I’m very honoured and grateful for the award,” Treyer said.
He said Northern Peak HR is a health and safety consulting business, which has been open for three years.
“We don't just evaluate and make recommendations to clients," Treyer said. "We do the work for them and we provide a full service in terms of acting like their human resource manager, their health and safety manager or whatever they need in terms of support to help grow their business to help provide better workplaces and safer workplaces."
Robinson said that through these challenging business times, a chance to celebrate the business community's accomplishments is what everyone needed.
“It's really a night for businesses to come together and just focus on the positives for a few hours and to celebrate all the good things happening in the community,” said Robinson.
Complete list of winners:
- Customer Service Excellence: Patricia Poohachoff of Reid’s Furniture
- Looking Good: Magnus Theatre
- Not For Profit Excellence: Thunder Bay Public Library
- New Business Excellence: Northern Peak HR
- Equity Diversity and Inclusion: Thunder Bay Public Library
- Quality of Life: Ageless Aesthetics Studio
- Small Business Excellence: Thunder Bay Border Cats
- Medium Business Excellence NOMAD by Pinetree Catering and U2 Fasteners (tie for first place)
- Large Business Excellence: Lowerys
- Game Changer: Woodland Heritage Northwest
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Connor Remus of Pocket Change Bar
- Business Person of The Year: Liana Frenett of TBT Engineering Limited
