NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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The Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Business Achievement Awards ceremony on May 25, 2023.
Nominations are currently open at orilliacc.awardify.io.
This year’s awards will feature a completely revamped list of categories, including some brand-new ones like the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award is being introduced thanks to the support of Cloud Gallery in Orillia and Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology. Cloud Gallery’s owner, Mark Fletcher, came up with the idea for the award to recognize the hard work of local entrepreneurs ages 18 to 35.
A few of the other new categories introduced this year are the Diversity and Inclusion Award, the Employer of the Year Award, and the Not-for-Profit or Charitable Organization Award.
Several of the traditional categories will continue to be included but have been slightly tweaked to allow for broader eligibility. For example, the former Longevity Award is now the Milestone Award, meaning it will be awarded to a business (or businesses) celebrating a significant milestone.
The Technological Advancement Award has been rebranded as the Innovation Award, meaning it will be awarded to a business that has demonstrated creative or groundbreaking strategies in their operations.
Anyone can submit a nomination. General eligibility for the awards extends to any business, professional, or entrepreneur in Orillia and area. This includes the City of Orillia, the townships of Oro-Medonte, Severn, and Ramara, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, which make up the “district” portion of the Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce’s catchment area as established when it was incorporated under the Board of Trade Act in 1890.
Eligibility for each specific category is included in the category descriptions on the award website. Once a company or individual is nominated, they will be invited to complete an entry submission.
The 2023 ceremony will take place at the Orillia Opera House in downtown Orillia. It will be a red-carpet event focused on celebrating local business, and attendees are being encouraged to support local while enjoying a special evening out.
“This May 25, 2023 night at the opera house for our 133rd annual general meeting and Business Achievement Awards will be a night to remember," said Orillia and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Allan Lafontaine.
"As part of our commitment to supporting local, we are asking members to make reservations for dinner before the awards, or to celebrate around Orillia and Lake Country after the awards," he said.
Nominations will be open until April 28. The chamber will be announcing more information about the ceremony and issuing invitations to members and local dignitaries during the first week of May.
Updates can be found at www.orillia.com/events/details/business-achievement-awards-ceremony-759?calendarMonth=2023-05-01 or by contacting the chamber office.
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