Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce Opening Nominations For 2024 Business Excellence Awards

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the 2024 Business Excellence Awards.

HAJNI HŐS, HOSPICE PETERBOROUGH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACCEPTING THE AWARD FOR EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR from the last event. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PETERBORUGH CHAMBER.

“In Peterborough and the Kawarthas, excellence is out there,” said Sarah Budd, Chamber President and CEO. “In restaurants, tourist attractions, retail shops, offices, and not-for-profits; on construction sites, family farms, and making service calls. We encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize the businesses and organizations that make our community great.”

Express and self-nomination forms are available online.

Early Bird deadline end on May 8 at 4:30 p.m. Early Bird nominations are entered into a draw to win a $100 gift card for the Chamber member business of your choice.

Final Deadline is May 22 at 4:30 p.m.

Three Finalists in each category will be announced in August, with the award recipients announced live on the big stage – Oct. 29th at Showplace Performance Centre.

The Business Excellence Awards were established to promote the advancement of responsible business leadership within the community. Awards will be handed out in over 20 categories including the prestigious Business Citizen of the Year Award.

Businesses and individuals within the City and County of Peterborough are eligible, and do not need to be members of the Chamber of Commerce.

There are categories for every business size & sector:

• 4-Under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Business Citizen of the Year

• Business Student Leadership Prizes 2

• Businesswoman of the Year – Entrepreneur

• Businesswoman of the Year – Organization

• Commercial Development or Renovation

• Customer First

• Employer of the Year

• Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Farm Family of the Year

• Green Initiatives

• Health & Wellness

• Hospitality

• Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year

• Local Focus

• Marketing & Promotion

• Micro Business

• Not-for-profit

• Professional Services

• Retail

• Skilled Trades

• Tourism

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Head to Italy With Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce After Partnership With Marlin Travel

In a partnership with Marlin Travel, the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is offering members and non-members to the take in the authentic flavours of northern Italy this fall, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is hosting a nine-day trip to Italy from Oct. 3 to 11.

The trip provides guests with premium accommodations, a chance to try some authentic Italian cuisine and an opportunity to see northern Italy with local colleagues and friends.

The Spotlight on Northern Italy trip includes:

• Try some tiramisu in its hometown of Treviso

• Take in the romance of Romeo and Juliet in Verona

• Check out the glass-blowing foundries of Murano, a city with 1,500 years of glassmaking history

• Take a gondola cruise through Venice

• Trace the steps of Ernest Hemingway through the artist hilltop haven of Asolo

• Journey through the rolling hills of the Prosecco region and visit a local vineyard

• Take a cable car ride through the picturesque Dolomite Mountains

• Enjoy some Grappa (grape-based pomace brandy) in the quaint town of Bassano del Grappa

The trip includes transportation from Peterborough and flights to and from Italy. The vacation package offers a competitive travel protection plan for $499.

Book by March 4 to guarantee availability at the best rates according to the Chamber.

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Peterborough Chamber Honours Institutions at 2023 Business Excellence Awards

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce held their 2023 Business Excellence Awards with an awards ceremony at Showplace Performance Centre on Wednesday night.

Hajni Hős, Hospice Peterborough executive director accepting the award for Employer of the Year. Photo courtesy of the Peterborugh Chamber.

The annual ceremony publicly recognized and honoured local businesses with a passion for excellence. 

Over 50 businesses and individuals were profiled in 22 categories.

The following are the nominees and recipients for their respective categories:

Local Focus

• The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge (winner)

• New Beginnings Building Services

• Peterborough GreenUP

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Cheeks Ahoy (winner)

• Flossophy Ptbo

• Y Drive Canada

Health & Wellness

• Euphoria Wellness Spa

• The Spa + Clinic at Fleming College

• The Willow Studio (winner)

4-Under-40 Profiles, in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Ashley Bonner (winner)

• Ashley Flynn (winner)

• Lauren Hunter (winner)

• Laura Montague (winner)

Professional Services

• Engage Engineering Ltd.

• Fox Law Professional Corporation

• Lett Architects Inc. (winner)

Commercial Development or Renovation

• Key Design Inc. (Key Design Inc. Studio & Office)

• Peterborough Housing Corporation (Hunt Terraces)

• Peterborough Humane Society (Peterborough Animal Care Centre) (winner)

Business Student Leadership Prizes

• Emma Olstad (Trent University) (winner)

• Eesha Gupta (Fleming College) (winner)

Retail

• Living Local Marketplace (winner)

• Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre

• Plant Goals

Stuart Harrison President's Award

• Don Dyck (Kingdon Timber Mart, Kingdon Truss) (winner)

Micro Business

• OmniWorx Design

• Peterborough Currents Media Inc. (winner)

• Social Kat Media

Tourism

• Kawartha Country Wines

• Otonabee Region Conservation Authority

• Peterborough Museum & Archives (winner)

Businesswoman of the Year

• Nicole Truman (Fox Law Professional Corporation) (winner)

Green Initiatives

• Cheeks Ahoy

• The Land Canadian Adventures Inc.(winner)

• Peterborough Folk Festival

Skilled Trades

• Black Rock Developments

• Bruce Maly Plumbing & Drain Services Inc.

• Van de Bor Paving Ltd. (winner)

Hospitality

• Burleigh Falls Inn & Suites

• Nostimo By The Original Greek

• Taso's Restaurant & Pizzeria (winner) 

Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year

• Imad Mahfouz & Hashem Yakan (Levantine Grill) (winner)

Customer First

• The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre

• The Willow Studio (winner)

Marketing & Promotion

• Community Futures Peterborough (winner)

• INSPIRE: The Women’s Portrait Project

• Showplace Performance Centre

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year

• Todd & Jennifer Payne & Family (Asphodel Sheep Company) (winner)

Not-for-Profit

• Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

• Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation

• Peterborough Humane Society (winner)

Employer of the Year

• Engage Engineering Ltd.

• Gauvreau | Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Hospice Peterborough (winner)

Business Citizen of the Year

• John Cunningham (Community Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre, Kawartha Aquamation) (winner)

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Peterborough Museum & Archives Tourism Named Award Finalist For Tourism

The Peterborough Museum & Archives (PMA) is a finalist in the “Tourism” category for the 2023 Business Excellence Awards, organized annually through the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday.

File Photo.

The Business Excellence Awards promote the advancement of responsible business leadership and prosperity within the community in categories such as: Entrepreneurial Spirit, Local Focus, and Green Initiatives.

The Tourism category recognizes organizations with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in attracting tourists to the Peterborough and Kawarthas area according to The City of Peterborough. Considerations include guest services, marketing and unique promotions, quality of facilities, signage, and staff and volunteer knowledge.

“There are many reasons why the Peterborough Museum & Archives is worthy of this distinction,” says Dustin McIlwain, PMC visitor experience coordinator. “Naturally, tourists to the area might want to learn more about the place they are visiting, and the PMA is a great place to acquire those stories. However, the PMA takes it a step further by offering interesting programming and events, engaging exhibitions and gallery spaces that are welcoming to all.”

The PMA’s current exhibition, “To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860” has been a significant attraction from a tourism perspective according to McIlwain.

“Extensive work went into creating this important exhibition, including contributions from the six Mississauga Nations, the Royal Collection Trust in England, and the Department of Canadian Heritage to name a few,” he said. “Together, we’re reconnecting a piece of tangible cultural heritage to the descendants of those who created them. It has produced multiple opportunities for learning and relationship-building which will have a positive impact on our community long after the exhibition comes to end. For now, we will continue to welcome visitors from near and far to see these gifts.”

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for Oct. 18 at The Venue.

Admission to the Peterborough Museum & Archives is by donation.

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2023 Business Excellence Awards Finalists Announced; Awards Ceremony Held On Oct. 18

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce have announced the finalists for the 2023 Business Excellence Awards which recognize and honour local businesses and business people that have demonstrated a passion for excellence, announced on Wednesday.

Matt Strano of Charlotte Products LTd. (left) was Business Citizen of the Year for 2022.  Photo courtesy of the Peterborough and the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce.

The award recipients are being revealed in an awards ceremony at The Venue on Oct. 18. A reception is followed by a ceremony at Showplace Performance Centre. Hosted by Megan Murphy, the event have awards handed out in 22 categories, including the prestigious Business Citizen of the Year. 

“The Excellence Awards event is the Chamber’s way of shining a spotlight on the outstanding businesses and business leaders in the City and County of Peterborough,” says Sarah Budd, Chamber President and CEO. “We encourage the community to join us in learning more about our business community at our annual celebration.”  

The following are the 2023 Business Excellence Awards Finalists (listed alphabetically):

4-Under-40 Profiles, in memory of Kathy Windrem (winners)

• Ashley Bonner

• Ashley Flynn

• Lauren Hunter

• Laura Montague

Businesswoman of the Year (winner)

• Nicole Truman (Fox Law Professional Corporation)

Business Citizen of the Year

• To be announced

Business Student Leadership Prizes (winners):

• Emma Olstad (Trent University)

• TBA (Fleming College)

Commercial Development or Renovation

• Key Design Inc. (Key Design Inc. Studio & Office)

• Peterborough Housing Corporation (Hunt Terraces)

• Peterborough Humane Society (Peterborough Animal Care Centre)

Customer First

• The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre

• The Willow Studio

Employer of the Year

• Engage Engineering Ltd.

• Gauvreau | Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Hospice Peterborough

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Cheeks Ahoy

• Flossophy Ptbo

• Y Drive Canada

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year (Winner)

• Todd & Jennifer Payne & Family (Asphodel Sheep Company)

Green Initiatives

• Cheeks Ahoy

• The Land Canadian Adventures Inc.

• Peterborough Folk Festival

Health & Wellness

• Euphoria Wellness Spa

• The Spa + Clinic at Fleming College

• The Willow Studio

Hospitality

• Burleigh Falls Inn & Suites

• Nostimo By The Original Greek

• Taso's Restaurant & Pizzeria

Local Focus

• The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• New Beginnings Building Services

• Peterborough GreenUP

Marketing & Promotion

• Community Futures Peterborough

• INSPIRE: The Women’s Portrait Project

• Showplace Performance Centre

Micro Business

• OmniWorx Design

• Peterborough Currents Media Inc.

• Social Kat Media

Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year (Winner)

• Imad Mahfouz & Hashem Yakan (Levantine Grill)

Not-for-Profit

• Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region

• Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation

• Peterborough Humane Society

Stuart Harrison President's Award

• To be announced

Professional Services

• Engage Engineering Ltd.

• Fox Law Professional Corporation

• Lett Architects Inc.

Retail

• Living Local Marketplace

• Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre

• Plant Goals

Skilled Trades

• Black Rock Developments

• Bruce Maly Plumbing & Drain Services Inc.

• Van de Bor Paving Ltd.

Tourism

• Kawartha Country Wines

• Otonabee Region Conservation Authority

• Peterborough Museum & Archives

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Hometown PTBO: Tiffany Arcari On Her Recent Career Change and Podcast, 'The Tiffany Show'

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with Tiffany Arcari about her new career change, her podcast ‘The Tiffany Show’ and her favourite Peterborough eats.

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Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce's Stu Harrison Honoured In Retirement After Two Decades of Service

Halloween marked the final day of Stu Harrison’s tenure with the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO as he was honoured for over 20 years of service at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Friday.

Stu Harrison shares a moment with his five-year-old granddaughter Evan Welker during his retirement celebration. Harrison moved from Wilkie, Sask, (formerly known as Leipzig) to Peterborough in 1977. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Roughly 200 guests showed up to celebrate Harrison’s retirement and recognize his service to the community.

“To me, it's the same community since I moved here 45 years since I first moved here from Saskatchewan,” said Harrison “It's an amazing place full of amazing people and not matter what happens, we work it out and I know we'll keep doing that and if I can be a part of that, I will.”

Harrison began as a volunteer for the Chamber before assuming the role he is retiring from. He says spending two decades with them helped make a positive impact within the community.

“It's meaningful work,” explained Harrison. “You're in a position of influence and I never took that likely. To me, there was never a doubt that I was in the right place, it was a good fit for me and vice versa.”

Harrison says he is continuing his philanthropy work such as the annual Easter Seals Telethon, volunteering for the past 44 years. He will still write his weekly Stoosnews ‘Business Beat’ segment that is featured weekly on PTBOCanada. Harrison is going to relax and spend more time with his wife Signe during his retirement.

Sarah Budd is the new president and CEO of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. She formerly served as the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough.

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Chamber of Commerce Announce 2022 Business Excellence Awards Finalists

The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce announced their annual 2022 Business Excellence Awards finalists on Wednesday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The awards publicly recognize and honour local businesses and people who have demonstrated a passion for excellence.

The recognized finalists and recipients will be revealed at the Excellence Awards Event on Oct. 19. 

The event will begin with a reception at The Venue, followed by a ceremony at Showplace Performance Centre. The event hosted by Megan Murphy will feature performances from local musicians. 

“We are excited to welcome the business community back in person for our annual celebration,” says Stuart Harrison, chamber president and CEO. “As we recognize outstanding businesses within the City and County, we’re bringing together the great traditions of the Kawartha and Peterborough Chambers into an exciting new event.”

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2022 Business Excellence Awards Finalists (listed alphabetically)

4-Under-40 Profiles, in memory of Kathy Windrem

• Dr. Nicole Edgar

• Michael Gallant

• Chad Hogan

• Caitlin Smith

Businesswoman of the Year - Entrepreneur

• Brenda Ibey (The Avant-Garden Shop)

Businesswoman of the Year - Organization

• Alicia Dafoe (Village Dental Centre)

Business Citizen of the Year sponsored by Nexicom

To be announced at the ceremony!

Business Student Leadership Prizes

• Jehan Mahboob (Trent University)

• Aiden Rice (Fleming College)

Commercial Development or Renovation

• CENTURY 21 United Realty Inc. Brokerage (Peterborough Office)

• Lakeshore Designs (Boathouse Boutique and Bikini Beans Cafe)

• TVM Group Integrated Real Estate Company (365 Armour Rd)

Customer First

• Bennett's Furniture and Mattresses

• Kawartha Country Wines

• Ricart Branded Apparel & Promo

Employer of the Year

• Friendly Fires

• Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Savage Arms

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• At the Lake Distributing

• Organized by Design

• Suzi Home Maker

Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year

• To be announced

Green Initiatives

• B!KE The Peterborough Community Bike Shop

• Nutty Bean Cafe

• Suzi Home Maker

Health & Wellness

• Hybrid Health and Rehabilitation

• The Mane Intent

• Pulse Physio & Performance

Hospitality

• The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• Publican House Brewery & Pub

• Starbucks at Trent

Local Focus

• The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge

• Living Local Marketplace

• New Beginnings Contracting Services

Marketing & Promotion

• Peterborough Humane Society (Our Pet Project)

• Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA Social Media Revamp)

• Phillip Jolicoeur The Marketing Guy (Havelock Chamber of Commerce - Member Spotlight)

Micro Business

• Dan Joyce Clothing

• Flossophy Ptbo

• The Mane Intent

New Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year

• Faheem and Fardos Mohammadzada (Brothers Pizza)

Not-for-Profit

• Community Care Peterborough

• Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation

• Peterborough Humane Society

The President's Award

• To be announced

Professional Services

• D.M. Wills Associates Limited

• Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory

• Hybrid Health and Rehabilitation

Retail

• Central Smith

• Dan Joyce Clothing

• Millbrook Mercantile

Skilled Trades

• CS Remodeling and Renovations

• New Beginnings Contracting Services

• Studio of Hair Design

Tourism

• Hutchison House Museum

• Kidz Playland

• Lang Pioneer Village Museum

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Local Chambers And Rural Businesses Are Asking The Community For Support This Holiday Season

The Hometown Holiday campaign, organized by four local chambers of commerce is underway, and encouraging Peterborough County and the Kawarthas to support local businesses and shops located in the city and surrounding townships.

“I can appreciate that it’s a different experience in smaller communities - in the best way,” said Joel Wiebe, Peterborough Chamber. “When you go into the smaller communities around Peterborough County you experience that quaintness that we love about these communities.”

While Wiebe acknowledges how important local businesses are within the city of Peterborough, he points out how unique small businesses that are located outside the city can be.

“They’re not trying to be a big city, you can be so in touch with the people you’re buying from. It has a whole other level of community feel to it,” he said.

“Now more than ever it is very important that people support the small businesses in their community so the businesses can continue to be there for the community in the future,” said Bernadette MacNeil, owner Millbrook Mercantile.

The Millbrook Mercantile is a mix of both retail and culinary products. They source locally whenever possible, and provide everything from health and beauty to gourmet food.

“Because we don’t have any big box stores out here, I think its super important that the community try to get an mush shopping done locally and then if they need, leave whatever big purchases for your Costco runs - just get as much done here and limit your purchases at the bigger stores.”

“We rely on locals to keep us going, because cottagers come up all summer long and then ts just locals over the winter- we try to keep them happy the best we can and keep the shelves full,” said Lynn Northup, assistant manager at Havelock Home Hardware.

Located about 40 minutes from Peterborough and 15 minutes from Cambellford, small shops in Havelock may be the only option for some residents that are unable to drive.

“We’re surrounded by little towns, but this town has so much to offer so if you don’t drive this is the only place you can get most of your stuff so we try to stock as much as we can so people have that option.”

Located between Lakefield and Peterborough is Garden Style Bridgenorth, an almost 20 year old business that attributes their success to the support of their community.

“The key element of shopping local is that youre supporting someone that lives in your community,” said Michelle Gay, owner. “If people don’t shop in these little stores there just not going to be around anymore - because we need the people in our community to maintain our business.”

Garden Style carries a wide range of décor items, all focusing on being unique.

“Most of the people who shop here are people who live here or the immediate area - so those people rely on the smaller shops bc they don’t want to have to drive into the city. So, if you don’t have those small shops people would have to make that commute to get what they need. We rely on our community to support our business.”

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Watch: Peterborough Chamber CEO Stuart Harrison On Growing Up In A Town Of 35 People, Leadership, Collaboration, Community & More

On Episode 30 of “PTBOCanada”, Peterborough Chamber of Commerce CEO Stuart Harrison talks to us about growing up in a town of 35 people in Leipzig, Saskatoon where his parents ran a hotel/pub, and where Stu lived above the pub.

The town of Leipzig where Stuart Harrison grew up

We also cover what brought Stu to Peterborough four decades ago, what being CEO of the Peterborough Chamber (he is celebrating 15 years there) has meant to him, the impact of his Business Beat column, where we’re at now as a community, and how a recent health scare with something called Transient global amnesia gave him even greater perspective on life.

Stu Harrison on “PTBOCanada” show

Watch the interview with Stu below…

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