The Carleton Place & District Chamber of Commerce held its
fourth annual Business Awards of Excellent Gala on Oct. 21. The
sold-out event took place at Stonefields Event Destination in
Beckwith, celebrating truly amazing individuals and businesses in
the community.
Owing to the year 2016 marking the chamber’s centennial, “this is
the most memorable gala event in our chamber’s history,” chamber
board chair Donna MacDonald said. On Friday night, awards were
handed out in six categories: Business/Business Person of the Year;
Community Involvement; Excellence in Customer Service; Employee of
the Year; Entrepreneur of the Year; and People’s Choice. Winners
were voted on by the chamber’s membership, with the exception of
one – People’s Choice. This new award was open to public
voting.
“I am excited to report we received 46 nominations this year for
our awards,” MacDonald said, “and the enthusiasm surrounding the
awards tells me business people in Carleton Place want to recognize
success.” “It also tells me we have some exceptional companies
providing services and products worth celebrating,” she
continued.
The winners
Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Limited was named the
chamber’s 2016 business of the year, with former board member
Dwayne Acres accepting the award from last year’s winner Dena
Comley of The Granary.
“Thank you very much,” Acres said. “I am filling in tonight for
general manager Eric Bjergso,” he continued. “Our company’s annual
general meeting is being held in Winnipeg and half of our staff is
there.”

Chamber board vice chair Greg Smith noted Canadian Co-operative
Wool Growers Limited was selected for its excellence in business
operations, including financial management, environmental
practices, customer service, sales and marketing.
Too, “it has a strong track record of community involvement and
support,” he said.
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