The Morden and District Chamber of Commerce http://www.mordenchamber.com hosted its 2nd Annual Business Awards Gala celebrating Business Excellence on November 2.

There were four awards handed out in the categories of Marketing Excellence, Customer Service Excellence, Innovation and Community Influence.  In total 15 nominations were listed for the awards.

Excellence in Customer Service was awarded to Eagle Eye Printing http://eagleyedesign.ca

Owner Dale Stambuski says he was completely shocked to have won. He says when talking to the other nominees in his category, it was overwhelming to hear they agree with his win and how much he deserves this award. Stambuski says he attributes all of this to his amazing staff. He says they are a wonderful group of people who provide the customer with what the customer wants. He adds they have always strived to do their best for the people that have chosen his business and to have the knowledge needed to help them in whatever way they can.

Also in the category of Community Influence, the late Don Livingston was given this prestigious award. Livingston’s wife and daughter were on hand to accept the award and were visibly moved by this honour. Daughter Joyce Smith says she feels her father was very deserving of this award because growing up she always felt she was sharing her father with the entire community of Morden. She notes that was a source of pride for her, knowing how much her father loved this town. Smith adds she knows her father would have loved this award. She explains, you can win a lot of awards in a lifetime and they all mean a great deal but she knows this one would have been very near and dear to his heart.

There were two other very important awards handed out last night. The first being in the category of Innovation. That award went to Exner E-Waste http://exnerewaste.com. The unique design of their waste bin has created an easy and safe way for people to dispose of their e-waste.

In the category of Marketing Excellence, The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre http://www.discoverfossils.com took the award. According to the Morden Chamber of Commerce, over the past year, the C.F.D.C. has elevated the awareness of the museum significantly both locally and globally.  Through online, media/dignitary familiarization tours and partnerships CFDC will soon find the tipping point.

All recipients were overwhelmingly appreciative of the awards given and the evening was an important one for winners and nominees alike.

Chamber President Ross Ariss says the evening was a complete success. He says it was a great time for local business people to get together and network, and everyone seemed to have enjoyed their time.

Ross says this is the 2nd annual event, and the Chamber was very proud to launch the event last year. He explains they just want to stand up and celebrate local businesses and members of the community who have built the town and continued to help it grow.

Ariss says he extends his heartfelt congratulations to all the evening’s winners, but adds it should be seen as a great honour just to be nominated. He explains not only the winners but the nominees and all the businesses in town need to be recognized for their successes, and how they help keep the town of Morden strong.

Ariss adds the event seems to be growing because they had more attendees at this year’s gala, and everyone that was there last year was excited about this year’s event. He notes this is definitely something that will stay on the chamber mandate for years to come.
The ceremony also featured guest speaker Ron Buist, the creator of the Tim Horton’s campaign, Roll Up The Rim To Win. He had many stories to tell about the origin of the contest, and how business owners can best market their own products.
- source: Golden West Broadcasting Pembina Valley online http://www.pembinavalleyonline.com