Saint John Region Chamber Announces Winners Of Outstanding Business Awards
SAINT JOHN–The winners were announced Thursday for this year’s Outstanding Business Awards, which will be presented later this month at a special online event put on by The Saint John Region Chamber.
This year marks the 37th year for the awards, which will once again be live-streamed–the same approach the Chamber used last year, due to Covid-19 restrictions. Encore Global will help deliver the digital production, featuring short videos, greetings from sponsors, and award presentations.
This year, the Chamber is highlighting the resilience showcased by businesses throughout the pandemic.
The 2021 recipients include:
Excellence in Collaboration: Heather Acker, Head of Business Development at ConnexionWorks. This award recognizes creative collaboration between organizations and businesses for the purpose of addressing significant needs and/or expanding the possibilities of your organization or business.
Business Strength/Resilience Award: Lisa Hovey, Bill Gray, and Cindy Gray owners of The Zesty Lemon, and Brent Harris, the founder and executive director of the Saint John Tool Library. This award recognizes an organization or business which displayed enduring strength, capably adapted in times of crisis, and continues to thrive.
Front Line Hero Award: Dale Esson, Senior Program Advisor with the Department of Health recognizes an individual or business who has shown a great amount of courage, considerations for those surrounding them, and selflessness. A front-line hero puts others’ needs before their own and ensures the safety of everyone around them.
The Inspirational Leader Award: Ralph Thomas, project manager at New Brunswick Black History Society. This award recognizes an individual that has demonstrated true integrity, compassion, and courage while leading in our community.
The Most Innovative Award: Ray Gracewood and the Area 506 Festival. This award recognizes an organization or business that has presented new methods, a new service or product, and advanced thinking to meet new requirements, specifically during a time of crisis.
Community “Support Local” Advocate: CHSJ/The Wave and J.D. Irving Limited. Given to an individual or company known to be a true advocate of supporting local and encouraging others to as well. They work tirelessly to promote fellow members of the community, they have a vested interest in the development, success, and support of the region.
In addition to this year’s winners, the Chamber will also give special recognition to the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, recognizing its work with the New Brunswick government in setting up the COVID-19 Rapid Test Kit Distribution program.
The Chamber also noted the efforts put forth over the past year and throughout the pandemic by the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors, including the former Discover Saint John, the new Envision Saint John, The Saint John Hotel Association, TIANB, Port Saint John and companies like Aquila Tours.
This year’s Outstanding Business Awards will be presented online by The Saint John Region Chamber on Thursday, November 25, via Zoom and on the Chamber’s Facebook page.