Catch words like innovative, economic driver and success were uttered loud and often Tuesday night at the Caruso Club in Sudbury.
Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce used those words to describe this year's slate of winners for the 16th annual Bell Business Excellence Awards.
The chamber handed out 10 awards throughout the evening, an event that drew more than 450 people out to the gala occasion. With this year's award winners, more than 100 people or businesses have been singled out as pillars of distinction.
“These are the businesses that strengthen and stimulate Sudbury's economy,” said chamber president and CEO Debbi Nicholson. “When they succeed, the rest of Sudbury benefits.”
Jamie Dewar and Marc Duhamel, general managers of Legend Boats, accepted the Company of the Year award.
Michael DiBrina, president of DiBrina Sure Group/Investment Planning Counsel, accepted the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Justin Demers, president of Talevi Welding, accepted the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Marie Rose Dubois, president of B&D Manufacturing, accepted the Chair's award.
Dr. Beverly Baxter, veterinarian and owner of Baxter Animal Hospital, accepted the Service Excellence award.
Ryan Nesci, owner and president of Nesci's Catering/Tony V's, accepted the New Venture award.
David Anselmo, president and CEO of Northern Ontario Film Studios, accepted the Business Start Up award.
Paulina Renelli, owner of Sweet Yarns Inc., accepted the Small Enterprise award.
Patrick Fantin and John McCall, vice-president technical and senior mechanical engineer, respectively, for Rail-Veyor Technologies Global, accepted the Innovation award.
Gunther Gratzer, general manager and chief operating officer of Idylwylde Golf and Country Club, accepted the Hospitality award.
This year's judges, Kathryn Barker, Nancy Griffin and Marc Boudreau, had a difficult job of choosing from more than 50 nominees, said Nicholson.
Anselmo, who started Northern Ontario Film Studios with his partner Pierre Bonhomme last year, said it was gratifying to be recognized for their work.
“When I moved back a few years ago, a lot of people thought it was kooky to open and film studio and try to make movies in Sudbury, Ont.,” he said. “What the studio hopefully has shown is that it doesn't matter what you want to do. If you put your mind to it, put in the work and dedication to accomplishing that goal, then it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from or what you're financial situation is, you will accomplish it—you just have to keep working at it.”
Anselmo said there are many others working alongside him as part of the film studio. They all contributed to the studio's success.
“Making films is a very collaborative effort, and the studio and all of the projects we bring to Northern Ontario are all team efforts,” he said.
