The biggest award celebrations in the North were right here in Timmins last night.
The Chamber put on the 2015 Nova Award’s, with a Cirque du Soleil-esque theme.
The hockey rink at The Mac was transformed into a Big Top, complete with bright light, acrobats, clowns, snakes, and cotton candy.
Among the winners was Alicia Pirie, who took the Young Entrepreneur award. Pirie says the win is a motivator.
“I feel like it just validates what you’re doing,” says 32 year old Pirie. “It kind of gives you that confidence, and you know, the drive, to say this is important for the community.
Chamber President Al Thorne says weeks worth of work goes into the event that had around 650 people attend.
“This is a wonderful event, each and every year,” says Thorne. “The Chamber is so happy and grateful to be able to put this on, and celebrate the great work all our businesses do.”
Full list of winners:
RBC Marketing Innovation Achievment Award – Porcupine Canvas Inc – Brenda Hagerty, General Manager
NorthernTel Productivity, Innovation & Diversification Award – Millson Forestry Service – Monique Koski and Jenny Millson, Co-Presidents
DeBeers Canada Aboriginal Partnership Award – Ontario Power Generation and Moose Cree First Nation – Mike Martelli, Senior Vice-President , Hydro Thermal Operations and Chief Norm Hardisty Jr.
City of Timmins Non-Profit Organization Award – Science Timmins Inc. – Antoine Garwah, President
College Boreal Young Entrepeneur (Under 35) Award – Chic Baby Boulevard – Alicia Pirie, Owner
Caisse Populaire de Timmins New Business (Under 2 Years) Award – Urban Windows & Doors – Patrick Delisle, co-owner
BMT Insurance & Financial Services Business Contribution to the Community (1-30 employees) Award – Christopher’s Coffee House – Mary Ellen Pauli, owner
Porcupine Gold Mines – Goldcorp Canada Ltd Business Contribution to the Community (31+ employees) Award – Tim Hortons – Rob Knox, franchise owner
FNETB Best Place to Work Award – Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Brigitte Vanderloo, Sales Manager
TD Bank Group Business of the Year (1-5 employees) Award – The Mermaid Gallery – Denis Gelinas, President
Scotiabank Business of the Year (6-30 employees) Award – Discover Fitness with Kate Durst – Kate Durst and Eduardo Suarez, owners
Northern Credit Union Business of the Year (31+ employees) – Giant Tiger – Greg Kelso, franchise owner
Northern Bank Lifetime Achievement Award – Steinberg & Mahn – Darren Taylor and Don Taylor, owners
President’s Award – Northern Ontario Appraisals Ltd – Luc Cloutier, President/Owner