AWARDS SPOTLIGHT Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber Of Commerce Announces 2023 BEA Finalists And Three Winners

TheWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce recently announced details of its signature event, the Business Excellence Awards (BEA), presented by Windsor Star.

Recognizing outstanding businesses, individuals and community groups, the event takes place in person Wednesday, May 17, 2023 starting at 6 p.m.

The event includes a red carpet arrival, an awards ceremony in the Chrysler Theatre showcasing 12 categories, and an elegant dinner in the Skyline Ballroom of the St. Clair College Centre For the Arts

To kick start the promotions of the May event, three deserving Award winners were announced at a January 26 news conference at the J.P. Wiser’s Experience Centre, sponsored by the Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario in not just a following, but also customer loyalty that spans generations, while continually inspiring the FREEDS’ team with his ongoing drive and unstoppable talent.

The winner of the newest BEA category — Business Ambassador sponsored by RBC — was chosen based on an independent judging of nominations submitted last Fall by Chamber Members and the general public.

The award recognizes an individual (not self-employed or an owner) who exceeds all expectations in their role within a business or organization. The individual improves company culture, promotes growth and innovation in the workplace and is a role model for their peers and community.

Keith

For 53 years, White’s leadership has been a key factor in the success of FREEDS. His gregarious and jovial personality has resulted

The 2023 Believe Windsor-Essex Award, sponsored by WFCU, goes to Lisa and Brian Schwab for their on-going support of numerous not-for-profit organizations, events, and community groups, including Transition to Betterness (T2B), the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation and ART Windsor-Essex.

The Schwabs are invested in the growth and vitality of our region through co-ownership of the Windsor Spitfires, LaSalle Vipers and Lakeshore Canadiens, the development of downtown properties, and several other local rejuvenation projects.

Renee Daudlin-Iacobelli was announced as the recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award, sponsored by Bell. As the Owner and Vice President of Operations of Windsorbased Insight Advantage, she is a role model, mentor and business advisor to women. The Award recognizes the time and energy devoted to her profession and her community, including opening paths for other women to follow.

“It’s tradition to announce the Believe Windsor-Essex Award winner, and the ATHENA Leadership Award recipient, at the BEA News Conference in January,” states BEA Chair Shelby Colarossi.

“The Business Ambassador category is new this year, and we wanted to highlight the Award by announcing the winner early. Plus, we wanted to profile Keith White, an amazing choice by the Judges as an ambassador of the FREEDS’ brand for over 50 years.”

Three Finalists in each of the remaining nine Award categories will compete for a coveted Business Excellence Award, with winners announced in a “surprise reveal” format from the Chrysler Theatre stage. The BEAs are also broadcast live to Cogeco subscribers in Windsor and Leamington on YourTV, starting at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce 2023 Business Excellence Awards are now on sale at: WindsorEssexChamber.org.

The complete list of BEA Finalists follows, and includes a diverse collection of individuals, start-ups and established companies and organizations of all sizes, spread across the Windsor Essex region.

The 2023 Bea Finalists And Award Sponsors

*All people in photos listed from the left

Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP

Marc Romualdi, Owner, Mercato Fresh

Jeff Gamble, Owner, What’s Poppin’ Popcorn Factory (pictured)

David Burman, President/CEO, Mister HQ Group

Company of the Year, 26 or More Full Time Employees sponsored by St. Clair College of Applied Arts & Technology

Matthew Thibert Drugs Ltd, Shoppers Drug Mart #760, #1114, #3001 Movati Athletic HGS Limited

(pictured are Michelle McDonald, Hany Abdelmessih, Jane Abadir, Ken and Shontyl Kapusniak and Lindsay Mahoney)

Innovation sponsored by Meridian Credit Union Lymphology Skincare

Bright Green Roof (pictured are Matt Citron, Steve Rivard and Paul Coulter)

CHARGE Lab (University of Windsor)

New Company of the Year sponsored by Enbridge Estate of Health Holistic Wellness Centre (see photo on contents page)

RARE Butcher Shop LTD

Logic Executive Search (pictured are Angelo DiDonato, Jennifer Charron and Melina Grande)

Pillars of Our Community, sponsored by Motor City Community Credit Union 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex

(pictured in top photo are Liz Farano, Maureen Lucas and Chantelle Meadows)

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor

(pictured in middle photo are Joan Simpson, Seita Sadoo-Thomas, Rose Anguiano Hurst, Gurpreet Chana, Lisa Shulman, and Nadine Manroe-Wakerell)

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest

(pictured in bottom photo in this column are Wendi Nicholson and David Lenz)

Company of the Year, 25 or Fewer Full Time Employees sponsored by Families First Cedar Valley Selections

Brady’s Drug Store

(pictured are Tim and Karen Brady)

Two Men and a Truck Windsor-Sarnia

Professional of the Year sponsored by TD Commercial Banking

David Cowie, Registered Massage Therapist, Loaring Physiotherapy and Health Centre (left in group photo)

Dr. Elena Kalmantis, Owner/Founder/CEO, Loft 32 Dentistry (middle in group photo)

Dan Topp, Criminal Defence Lawyer, Topp Law (right in group photo)

Tourism & Hospitality sponsored by Caesars Windsor and OLG

Kona Sushi

Ure’s Country Kitchen & Mini Golf (pictured are Max and Christina Jung) Urban Field House

Young Professional of the Year sponsored by Libro Credit Union

Kim Crevatin, Owner, Windsor CrossFit (pictured above with husband Trevor Crevatin)

Lauryn Lefrancois, Executive Director, Lola’s Round Table

Dr. Aaron Nixon, Manager/Owner, Main Street Pharmacy & Wellness Centre (pictured in second photo in column)