Ontario Chamber of Commerce Announces Winners of the 2018 Ontario Business Achievement Awards

(Toronto, November 22): Last night, hundreds of business and community leaders from across Ontario gathered at the Liberty Grand to celebrate the achievements of Ontario businesses at the 2018 Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAA). Hosted by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), the OBAAs is the most recognized industry gala in the province focused on celebrating business success.

“Every year, we are thrilled to come together to celebrate the accomplishments of the Ontario business community. Last night marked 36 years of recognizing Ontario businesses for achievements in areas including sustainability, innovation, and accessibility,” says Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the OCC.

The gala featured a charity auction with proceeds going to the Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC). WWC honours and supports Canada’s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, first responders and their families. The OBAAs also honoured the inspiring achievements of Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, the pioneers of Ontario’s wine industry, through the very first OBAA Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Each one of our 2018 OBAA finalists has demonstrated why Ontario is the best place to live, work, and do business and we’re proud to honour their commitments to creativity and innovation,” added Rossi.

The 2018 OBAA winners are:

Lifetime Achievement Award, Sponsored by Brock University 
The late Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo are being recognized for pioneering Ontario’s wine renaissance.

Beyond Borders, Medium Business Award, Sponsored by OFX
INKAS® Armored Vehicle Manufacturing is being recognized for implementing an export strategy that has positively affected its bottom line.

Corporate Citizen Award, Sponsored by Meridian Credit Union 
Hydro Ottawa is being recognized for its sustained and long-term commitment to investing in the community in which it operates.

LiUNA Builder’s Award, Sponsored by LiUNA
John M. Beck, Executive Chairman of Aecon Group Inc. is being recognized as an outstanding CEO who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and contributions to the building industry in Ontario.

Mitacs Innovation Award, Sponsored by Mitacs
Trojan Technologies is being recognized as a business that uses work-integrated-learning to support talent and innovation in Ontario.

Ontario Leader in Accessible Employment Award, Provided with the support of the Government of Ontario
Indwell is being recognized as a business that has created an accessible work environment. This organization values the contributions of persons with disabilities and promotes the development of an inclusive workplace culture for all.

SME Business Excellence Award, Sponsored by Chambers Plan 
Amgen Canada Inc. is being recognized for exemplifying forward-thinking in all aspects of their business.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Sponsored by Air Canada 
Stathletes is being recognized as a young Ontario entrepreneur who has successfully built a unique and game-changing venture.

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For more information please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards, Communications Advisor, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca | Office: 647-243-3562 | Cell: 647-472-3274

About the Ontario Business Achievement Awards
The Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAA) is the most recognized industry gala in the province with a single focus on celebrating business success. The OBAA, which celebrate incredible innovations and achievements, is unique in its engagement of a broad range of industry sectors and sizes from across the province.

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan voice of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.