The 26th annual Quinte Business Achievement Awards were awarded on Thursday evening as part of Quinte Small Business Week.
A crowd of the Quinte Region’s elite business people packed The Grand Banquet Hall in Belleville, to enjoy a night of fine food and drinks and to hear who among them won the numerous awards up for grabs.
THE BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR- Michael Summers
From left to right: Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams, Margaret Seu, Business Person of the Year winner Michael Summers, and award presenter Adrian deGroot, Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith. Photo by Alan-Michael Steele
Jill Raycroft, chair of the event’s organizing committee, said choosing just one winner for each award was challenging.
“We had over 120 companies complete the nomination process, showcasing the great diversity and strength Quinte businesses have,” said Raycroft.
For those 120 individuals and businesses who were nominated, 16 awards were up for grabs.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – Grind & Vine
From left to right, Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams, Taylor Russett as he accepts the New Business of the Year Award on behalf of the Grind & Vine, Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith and Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison. Photo by Alan-Michael Steele
A pair of the major awards awarded to individuals included the Businessperson of the Year award which was given to local businessman Michael Summers who owns Nesda Technologies. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year award was won by Jade Arsenault, who operates her own design firm called J. A. Artistry in Frankford.
Other major awards were given to businesses. New Business of the Year was awarded to The Grind and Vine, and the Business Excellence award was won by NOD Apiary Products.
The other award winners are as follows:
Agribusiness of The Year: Sprague Foods Limited
Health and Wellness Business of the Year: Serendipity Yoga
Hospitality/Tourism Business of the Year: Kario Estates Inc.
Manufacturing Business of the Year: Miltex Solutions Canada
Not For Profit of the Year: Enrichment Centre for Mental Health
Regulated Professions Business of the Year: O’Quinn Team Real Estate
Retail Business of the Year: The Dressing Room
Specialized Service Business of the Year: Alarm Systems
Tech Sector Business of the Year: TruckRight
Trade/Construction Business of the Year: Bel-Con Design Builders Ltd.
Sustainability of the Year Award: Harmony P.E.C. Retreat
Tech Sector Business of the year: TruckRight
Trailblazer of the Year: Voice Directed Talley Systems
Nominations for the awards were taken during June, before a panel of judges decided on the final winners in October.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – Jade Arsenault
From left to right, Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams, Karen Poste, Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner Jade Arsenault, Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith. Photo by Alan-Michael Steele
