**TIMMINS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWS RELEASE**

The game changers of local business have been announced at the region’s biggest celebration of entrepreneurial achievement at the McIntyre Arena on May 9, joined by a crowd of more than 700 people in celebration of the 2019 Nova Business Excellence Awards. Hosted by the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, the sold-out gala once again cemented its status as the largest business awards event in northern Ontario, with 16 local firms and entrepreneurs honoured across a range of categories.

The strategic theme of “NOVA-OPOLY – the Game of Business” was used throughout the evening to help showcase the many ways that entrepreneurs are Timmins’ biggest players in the game, said Nancy Mageau, president of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce.

“The Nova Awards are an important reminder of the many ways that our businesses work together to make Timmins truly great,” said Mageau.

“All of the entrepreneurs featured this evening, from the finalists to the recipients, truly deserve our recognition, and it’s clear from tonight’s packed house that Timmins clearly agrees.”

Chamber past president Art Pultz once again served as the event’s emcee, marking the 16th time in the event’s 17-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 a record-breaking 165 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, said Mageau.

“They may not be building a real-estate empire on New York Avenue, but we can clearly see from these honourees that Timmins’ business owners and entrepreneurs deserve just as much recognition, given the incredible things they do in our community. Each one helps make Timmins a better place to work, live, and play.”

A photo gallery of the 2019 Nova Awards, spanning the finalists’ reception to the awards ceremony and post-event celebration, will be available at the Chamber’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TimminsChamber on Friday, May 10.

The recipients of the 2019 Nova Awards, and those who accepted on their behalf, are as follows:

BMT Insurance & Financial Services

Business Contribution to the Community Award
(1-5 Employees)
O’Reilly Sports
Reilly Heffernan, Owner

The Venture Centre Business Contribution to the Community Award (6-10 Employees)Foster Jane Eatery Michael Yorke, Owner and Chef

NorthernTel Business Contribution to the Community Award (11+ Employees)

Dailey’s Your Independent Grocer Darlene and Brian Dailey, Owners

FNETB Best Place to Work Award
Cain Safety Fire Protection Inc. Michael Cain, Owner

Goldcorp Young Professional Award
Brianna Demers

Owner – Just Beecause Chocolates and Confections
RBC Marketing Award
Family Eye Care Dr. Karine Briand, Owner and Optometrist

National Bank Innovation Award
Mine Safety Solutions Anthony Gilin, President

Northern College Service Excellence Award
Steinberg & Mahn Ltd. Owner, Don Taylor and Darren Taylor

Caisse populaire Alliance New Business Award (Under 2 Years)

Certarus Ltd. Stéphane Gallant, Manager of Business Development
TD Bank Group Business of the Year Award
(1-5 Employees)
Smiles for Life Dental Hygiene
Natalie Levasseur, Owner

Scotiabank Business of the Year Award
(6-10 Employees)Vista Radio Scott Armstrong, Regional Manager, Ontario North

Kidd Operations Business of the Year Award (11+ Employees)
Soucie Salo Safety Timmins Inc.
Helen Poirier, Vice-President
Ray Poirier, General Sales Manager
De Beers Canada Indigenous
Partnership Award
dB Hearing Inc. Katie Storring, Part-owner and Operator

City of Timmins Non-Profit
Organization Award
Timmins Learning Centre Michelle Goulet, Executive Director

OPG Lifetime Business Achievement Award
The Brick
Brian Vacchino, Owner
Linda Pasi – Manager

President’s Award
Sponsored by the Timmins Chamber of Commerce
De Beers Canada – Victor Mine Alistair Skinner, Mine General Manager

Filed under: Local News