Local businesses were celebrated in a unique way on Thursday night. The Chamber’s NOVA Business Excellence Awards were handed out on television instead of the usual large crowd due to COVID-19 regulations. Camp NOVA was this year’s theme and goodies were provided to all finalists so they could watch the awards in their own special way.
“Though the event looked very different this year, The Chamber knows that our business community is in need of support and a little levity,” said Val Venneri, President of The Chamber. “Every year, the Nova Awards serve as an important reminder of the many ways that our businesses work together to make Timmins so great.”
Chamber past president Art Pultz once again served as the event’s emcee, marking the 17th time in the event’s 18-year history he has overseen the awards ceremony. Pultz helped to highlight the slate of more than 45 finalists who were honoured throughout the evening.
The Nova Awards recipients were carefully selected from community-submitted nominations by a committee of six independent community judges. These judges determine the award recipients based on the quality of the submissions; to ensure the validity of the results, this is done without any input or influence from the Chamber Board of Directors or staff. This independence also helps to make the event one that truly belongs to the community.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has weighed heavily on our business community, and though each year, the Nova Awards features a unique theme,” added Venneri. “It is rather fitting that our theme this year reflects the great outdoors and the health benefits derived from living, working and playing in nature’s great backyard.”
Here are the award winners:
BMT Insurance & Financial Services Business Contribution to the Community Award (1-5 Employees) – Manulife Securities Inc. – Teena Simpson
The Venture Centre Business Contribution to the Community Award (6-10 Employees) –
Bermuda Tan
NorthernTel Business Contribution to the Community Award (11+ Employees) – BMT Insurance & Financial Services
FNETB Best Place to Work Award – Radical Gardens
Newmont Young Professional Award – Rachel Pessah
RBC Marketing Award – Full Beard Brewing Co.
National Bank Innovation Award – Timmins Fitness Alternatives
Northern College Service Excellence Award – CJ Equipment Repairs
Caisse Alliance New Business Award (Under 2 Years) – The Urban Farm
TD Bank Group Business of the Year Award (1-5 Employees) – Spoiled Rawt’n
Scotiabank Business of the Year Award (6-10 Employees) – Maid to Order Custom Cleaning Inc.
Kidd Operations Business of the Year Award (11+ Employees) – PADS-K9 Protection and Detection Service
De Beers Canada Indigenous Partnership Award – Western James Bay Telecom Network
City of Timmins Non-Profit Organization Award – Porcupine Dante Club
OPG Lifetime Business Achievement Award – EACOM Timber Corporation
President’s Award Sponsored by The Chamber – J. L. Richards and Associates Limited