The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce handed out its 2023 Business Excellence Awards at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on Wednesday night (October 18), recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals in 22 categories with more than 50 finalists.
Among the recipients at the 20th annual event, John Cunningham was named Business Citizen of the Year. Cunningham was recognized for his entrepreneurial career in the funeral services industry, opening three different businesses: Community Alternative Funeral & Cremations Services Ltd., Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre, and Kawartha Aquamation — a water-based and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation. He was also recognized for his community involvement as a youth mentor and sitting on the boards of several local organizations.
Don Dyck of Kingdon Timber Mart and Kingdon Truss received the Stuart Harrison President’s Award.
Here are the other award recipients (with finalists) announced on Wednesday night.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Cheeks Ahoy – Recipient
- Flossophy Ptbo
- Y Drive Canada
Skilled Trades
- Van de Bor Paving Ltd. – Recipient
- Black Rock Developments
- Bruce Maly Plumbing & Drain Services Inc.
Tourism
- Peterborough Museum & Archives – Recipient
- Kawartha Country Wines
- Otonabee Region Conservation Authority
Retail
- Living Local Marketplace – Recipient
- Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre
- Plant Goals
Marketing & Promotion
- Community Futures Peterborough – Recipient
- INSPIRE: The Women’s Portrait Project
- Showplace Performance Centre
Customer First
- The Willow Studio – Recipient
- The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge
- Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre
Local Focus
- The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge – Recipient
- New Beginnings Building Services
- Peterborough GreenUP
Commercial Development or Renovation
- Peterborough Humane Society (Peterborough Animal Care Centre) – Recipient
- Key Design Inc. (Key Design Inc. Studio & Office)
- Peterborough Housing Corporation (Hunt Terraces)
Professional Services
- Lett Architects Inc. – Recipient
- Engage Engineering Ltd.
- Fox Law Professional Corporation
Green Initiatives
- The Land Canadian Adventures Inc. – Recipient
- Cheeks Ahoy
- Peterborough Folk Festival
Health & Wellness
- The Willow Studio – Recipient
- Euphoria Wellness Spa
- The Spa + Clinic at Fleming College
Not-for-Profit
- Peterborough Humane Society – Recipient
- Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region
- Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation
Employer of the Year
- Hospice Peterborough – Recipient
- Engage Engineering Ltd.
- Gauvreau | Accounting Tax Law Advisory
Micro Business – Fewer than 5 employees
- Peterborough Currents Media Inc. – Recipient
- OmniWorx Design
- Social Kat Media
Hospitality
- Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria – Recipient
- Burleigh Falls Inn & Suites
- Nostimo By The Original Greek
Here are the award recipients previously announced and honoured on Wednesday night:
Businesswoman of the Year
- Nicole Truman (Fox Law Professional Corporation)
Peterborough County Farm Family of the Year
- Todd & Jennifer Payne & Family (Asphodel Sheep Company)
Business Student Leadership Prizes
- Emma Olstad (Trent University)
- Eesha Gupta (Fleming College)
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year
- Imad Mahfouz & Hashem Yakan (Levantine Grill)
4-under-40 Profiles in memory of Kathy Windrem
- Ashley Bonner
- Ashley Flynn
- Lauren Hunter
- Laura Montague
