They serve you food, sell you cars, provide shelter to those in need and promote the area to tourists, and on Wednesday night, they were in the spotlight.
The Orillia District Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Achievement Awards at the Hawk Ridge Golf and Country Club, where 14 honours were handed out.
“This is an exciting time for us,” chamber president Nathan Brown said, noting he had challenged members last year to strive to win an award this year. “This is a great way to recognize them for those efforts.”
The chamber switched things up a bit this year. Instead of announcing the winners in advance, judges chose from three nominees — four in the customer service category — and the winners were revealed during the event.
“We believe this will create more excitement,” awards chair Nathan Housser said, referring to it as the “Oscars of the local business community.”
The final award handed out was a special one for the chamber. Its special events co-ordinator, Doug Bunker, picked up the Hats Off award.
“It’s kind of rare on the chamber awards evening that we would give a staff member an award,” past president Dean Beers said, but added Bunker was “well deserving.”
Bunker has worked for the chamber for more than 33 years. His duties include organizing the annual Orillia Perch Festival and Orillia Waterfront Festival and representing the chamber at trade shows.
“Really, it’s making Orillia a playground for people to come and enjoy,” he said. “It’s kind of a hobby that pays. It’s a pleasure, and I’ll continue until I decide not to.”
Full list of award winners and nominees
New Business of the Year
Winner: Northern Joinery Makers Market
Nominated: The Holding Space, St. Louis Bar and Grill
Leadership in Training
Winner: Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
Nominated: Caredove, Paradigm Precision
Company Expansion
Winner: OrilliaMatters
Nominated: Laundry Lounge, Pattison Sign Group
Site Enhancement — New Construction
Winner: Green Haven Shelter for Women
Nominated: Hardwood Ski and Bike, The Orsi Group
Technological Advancement
Winner: Shadowbox Learning Services Inc.
Nominated: Impression House, JessEm Tool Company
Site Enhancement — Reno and Upgrade
Winner: Dalt’s Honda
Nominated: Apple Annie’s Café, Lot 88
Green Award
Winner: Event Water Solutions
Nominated: Green Storage, Lakehead University
Longevity Award
Winner: Sanderson Monument Co. Ltd.
Nominated: Cosmo’s Ristorante, French’s Refreshment Stand
Strengthening Our Communities
Winner: Harvey’s Orillia
Nominated: Home Hardware Building Centre, Mariposa Folk Foundation
Regional Economic Development
Winner: City of Orillia
Nominated: Accutrac Capital, Community Development Corporation
Customer Service
Winner: Going with Gibb
Nominated: Dean Young (Orillia Kia), Faris Team, Mariposa Market
Rebuilding Orillia
Winner: Eclectic Café
Nominated: Bowood Properties, OC Emporium Inc.
Marketing and Promotion
Winner: Ontario’s Lake Country
Nominated: Faris Team, Max 89.1 FM — Bayshore Broadcasting
Hats Off
Winner: Doug Bunker
Nominated: Polyethics Industries Inc., St. Andrew’s-St. James’ Cemetery
