“Thank you to all of you for being here tonight,” said the Chamber’s Duarte Da Silva to welcome an audience of about 100 to The Regent Theatre last Thursday evening. “And not in Mexico, Portugal, Costa Rica, Florida, or Grand Cayman, like everybody else in the County this time of year.”

Mr. Da Silva went on to champion “the strength, innovation, and perseverance” of the County’s business community. “These awards recognize the leadership and entrepreneurial spirit that drive growth, create employment, and contribute to the vibrancy and character of our community.

“Their success is a testament to the vital role businesses play in building a resilient and prosperous Prince Edward County.” 

Speakers included Albert College head Mark Musca, the Chamber’s board chair Lawrence Mosselson, and Victoria Suitor of the night’s key sponsors, BMO and BMO Private Wealth.

Mayor Steve Ferguson noted the Chamber’s 275 member businesses employ hundreds of people in every industry across the County. “I can tell you, Prince Edward is the envy of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, whose conference I attend every year. Nobody can believe just how the County attracts so much entrepreneurial talent concentrated in one place.”

The awards themselves honoured eight categories of achievement, two of them, the well-conceived Excellence in Agriculture and Young Entrepreneur (under 35), new this year.

The wide array of awards categories made the event feel less like a competition and more an occasion for mutual recognition and celebration.

Nonetheless, ten independent judges evaluated entrants, and some of the categories were packed with nominees: there were five for the Arts and Culture award, which went to CountyFM 99.3.

Manager Craig Mills noted, “CountyFM is one of Canada’s largest community radio stations. We are on 365 days a year, thanks to the extraordinary work of just two full-time and four part-time employees, and 107 volunteers.” He singled out the station’s legendary Grapevine for its dedicated work across every field of arts and culture. 

CountyFM also tied with County Kids Read for the Not-for-Profit award. County Kids founder Anne Preston noted the once small initiative now gives out 7000 books a year to “ensure kids have access to their very own books.”

On stage again, Mr. Mills spoke eloquently of the “precarious juggling act every week between advertisers, donors, and volunteers” that keeps the radio station running. “I’m reading Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance right now, and let me tell you, that 1914 trip to the Antarctic reminds me of running a non-profit.”

The Endurance was trapped in packed ice in 1915 and eventually sank, but, miraculously, the entire crew survived. 

The Agriculture award went to long time, family-run Campbell’s Orchards, selected from a field of four nominees. Colin and Dianne Campbell accepted the award for a business started by Colin’s parents in the late 1960s, and now a year-round operation with 8 full-time staff swelling to 25 at the height of the season. “Connecting people to farming, through our farm market and pick-your-own apples and strawberries, home baking, and now our sugar shack and cidery — that is what my family started this business to do,” said Mr. Campbell.

The Sustainable Practices award went to Waring House Restaurant and Inn, in recognition of its dedication to renewable resources, attention to energy, water, and waste, and for its environmental protection initiatives. The Entrepeneur of the Year award, which recognizes “excellence across multiple dimensions of achievement, including job creation, growth, and community involvement,” went to Janice Duffy of Serendipity Yoga & Wellness. 

Marley McFaul of Lighthouse Tutoring was named Young Entrepreneur from a field of four nominees. The citation noted Lighthouse’s “tremendous growth in just one year, with revenues increasing from $6000 a month to $19000.” Lighthouse is creating meaningful part-time work for 10 local tutors, and is looking for still more in the year ahead.

Employer of the Year went to 100 Acre Wood, which offers its small crew a four-day work week, 7 weeks of paid vacation, and health benefits. Owner Mary Wood noted that for the first time ever, and thanks to a beautiful barn renovation, the wedding venue extended its season to January this year, “bridging the gap bit by bit to a four-season economy.”

And last but not least, the Business of the Year award recognized the perpetual excellence of The Royal Hotel. Accepting on behalf of a dedicated team, manager Sol Korngold noted, “the accolades and awards have come from all corners.”

“During its inaugural year, The Royal earned a spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List of Best New Hotels in The World. It also won a top 10 spot on the Canada’s 100 Best list of Top New Restaurants in Canada.

“This year the Royal won Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award for the third time, as well as a second Michelin Key. At last year’s Chamber awards, The Royal took home the award for Employer of The Year.

“The recipe for our success is quite simple: be original; clearly share and inhabit the vision; empower; lead by example; take care of each other; and, perhaps most importantly, encourage an honest connection with every guest that walks through our door.” Rules to live by. 

Congratulations to every nominee and winner.  

Ed Note: this article has been updated from the print version to note County Kids Read distributes 7000 books a year to schoolchildren, not 2000.