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Oakville Awards for Business Excellence draws record crowd by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 3 | Friday, April 3, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE) drew a record-breaking, sell-out crowd last week as the Oakville Chamber of Commerce marked 20 years of recognizing the top businesses in town. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Oakville West (RCOW), the chamber hosted the 20th annual OABE gala to a record crowd of 607 guests, exceeding last year's tally of more than 550, at the Oakville Conference Centre. The event salutes the contributions of local businesses to the town. "It's important to recognize and celebrate Oakville businesses every single year. It's awesome we've been able to do it for the last 20 years," said Kerry Colborne, chamber chair. "These businesses are bringing in well-paying jobs, which helps all of Oakville. We always talk about the benefits of good jobs and a good environment and the companies here in Oakville are doing that for us." With 65 nominees, recipients were selected in eight categories including Large Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Professional Services Provider of the Year, Restaurateur of the Year, Genworth Community Builder of the Year, RBC Small Business of the Year, Mid-size Business of the Year and Oakville Hydro Conservation Leadership Award. Also given out was Oakville's Business Icon The winners of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce's 20th annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABEs). The gala was held last week at the Oakville Conference Centre. | photo by James Hoggett - special to the Beaver Award, which recognizes a prominent local business, and Oakville's Charity or Not-ForProfit Excellence Award -- recognizing a charitable or not-for-profit organization raising funds and/or providing services to improve the lives of people in the community. The Weather Network (TWN), located on Bristol Circle and Canada's only 24-hour English weather channel, garnered the Business Icon Award. Pierre Morrissette, executive chairman, president and CEO of TWN's parent company, Pelmorex Media Inc., accepted on its behalf. He said the award is at the "top-of-the-heap" for business in Oakville, adding it's remarkable TWN received the recognition. "Our employees, every step of the way, have worked very, very hard to be the best at what we do. Our leadership position in the Canadian market, when it comes to weather-related infor- mation, is quite dominant in that category," said Morrissette. The local entrepreneur said TWN makes it a point to give back to the community in a meaningful way, as part of "the fabric of what makes Oakville." "We're proud to have many of our employees live in Oakville, come to work in Oakville, but our employees come from all over the region ­ from far away as Kitchener-Waterloo, Barrie and Peterborough every day," said Morrissette, noting the company employs 500 people across Canada and overseas. The Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) took home the first-ever Charity or Not-ForProfit Excellence Award. OCF CEO Rusty Baillie said the foundation is just a vehicle for the 140 families and businesses that have established funds and "do these extraordinary things for our community." "They're very generous people, they walk the talk, they really care about their community and they put up some money to be here. These 140 families and businesses have provided a resource that's going to serve our community forever," said Baillie, noting they give back up to $2 million every year. First Canadian Title (FCT), a title insurance provider, received the Genworth Community Builder of the Year nod. Wendy Rinella, FCT vice-president of corporate affairs, said one of its main corporate values see Good on p.8 Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. 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