The third annual Ritchot Chamber Business Awards Gala on November 10, 2018 was an opportunity to showcase the success of local business. Approximately 140 business leaders and their guests attended, representing more than 50 local companies and organizations. The event was hosted at the TransCanada Centre in Île-des-Chênes.
Former Chamber President Larry Niebel emceed the event, welcoming everyone as cocktails were served at 5:00 p.m. After grace and a special acknowledgement of Remembrance Day, Lucky Luc’s Catering served up a great repeat performance of last year with a roast beef sirloin dinner followed by chocolate truffle cake.
As guests cleared their plates, Chamber President Marc Palud led the crowd through a year in review. This included acknowledging the many business owners in the room, as well as political guests such as Chris Ewen, Mayor of Ritchot, and Bob Lagasse, Dawson Trail MLA, who expressed support of the Chamber’s continuing efforts to build a strong local economy.
Palud reminded the crowd of the three most important functions of the Chamber: to be a catalyst for regional business growth, to be a convener of leaders and influencers to help get things done, and to be a champion for a stronger community. This was followed by an introduction of the Chamber’s executive team.
The most celebrated portion of the evening pertained to the Business Awards. This year, each of the categories had many nominations, with three finalists in each category.
The first award, Corporate Volunteer of the Year, acknowledges an organization that promotes and champions volunteerism in the community, provides time for community causes, and works with other businesses to support volunteerism. The three finalists were the Grande Pointe and Île-des-Chênes Community Response Unit, the Ritchot Citizens on Patrol Program, and TransCanada. The winner was the Community Response Unit, especially acknowledged for their almost 20 years of service responding to scenes faster than official authorities.
The second award, Entrepreneur of the Year, recognizes founders of a business that showcases an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, tenacity, and drive. The finalists were Arrowhead RV Park, Seine River Safety Solutions, and TechnoMetal Post. This year’s award went to Lise and Bruce Bale of Arrowhead RV Park, a dynamic couple who have built a thriving business south of Île-des-Chênes.
The much-anticipated final award, Business of the Year Award, recognizes a business that has demonstrated growth, accomplishments, and excellence through its past year of operation, including hiring new employees, new expansions, growing their market share, and contributing to the economic growth and improvement in the RM of Ritchot. The finalists were Deva Jatt Transport, Mona Jodoin Law Corporation, and Seine River Telecom. The award was received by Deva Jatt Transport, a newer Chamber member. The company is one of the fastest growing companies in the Winnipeg area and it believes in trust, teamwork, and gender and race equality. Many Deva Jatt team members were in the room to share in the success of the award.
Niebel returned to the stage after the awards to congratulate the winners. This time he had a surprise up his sleeve, introducing hillbilly comedians Doyle Dueck and Gary Roy. Some of the jokes were a bit crass, but everyone’s food seemed to stay down.
Afterward, The Doghouse took the stage (the band formerly known as Project B) led by Roger Brodeur (singer/guitar), Wes Pastuzenko (bass/singer), Derek Laurin (drums), Jeff Clark (guitar/singer), and Vic Goertzen (sound man). They played three great sets as the evening unfolded.
Guests who forgot their dancing shoes lined up to try their luck at the casino tables. Each guest began the evening with $25,000 of funny money, and any funny money that was won could be exchanged for raffle tickets to win the prize packages generously sponsored by local donors. Indeed, the event would not have been possible without these generous sponsorships. The Chamber would especially like to thank the Niverville Credit Union for being the main sponsor as well as TransCanada Centre for discounting the space fee.
The table wine sponsors included Next Level Enterprise, Garriock Insurance, Deva Jatt Transport, White Cap Foods, and Adventure Power Products. The front stage banner sponsors were the Dan Vermette Remax Team, Avenir IT, Lucky Luc’s Bar and Grill, and Tower Engineering. Meanwhile, the casino tables were sponsored by the RM of Ritchot, Craig and Ross Chartered Professional Accountants, Ste. Agathe Service, Craft Financial, and The Body Repair Shop. This year’s booze wagon, including $500 of alochol winnable by raffle, were Mike Allison Windows and Doors, Renovations Plus, Ste. Agathe Service, the IDC Country Store, Salon 421, Centennial Gravel, RevGenApps.com, Seine River Safety, and Garriock Insurance.
The last dancers left around 2:00 a.m. with the last Doghouse set, wrapping up a fun and successful evening.
