Business Innovation Award

Business Innovation Award
Nominations Now Open!

Algonquin College, Pembroke Waterfront Campus, would like to recognize a local business/organization for innovation through a special award. This award will be presented to a business that has demonstrated a unique Business Innovation that sets them apart from another similar local business.

1. NOMINATION GUIDELINES:
a. You are entitled to nominate any business/organization, including your own.
c. Include at least 1 letter of support with your submission.
d. Submit completed the online nomination form and letters by the deadline below.

2. AWARD PRESENTATION:
The winner will receive two free registrations for the 2024 Fall Business Leadership Conference. The nominees will be contacted by Algonquin College and invited to be present at the conference wrap-up event when the award will be announced and presented.

3. SUBMIT A NOMINATION:
Click on the button above to complete the online nomination form or to download the PDF document nomination form.
Send completed paper nomination and letter of support to:
Fax: 613-735-8805 or email: Kate Gaudette gaudetk@algonquincollege.com

4. DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023.
For more information, contact Leah Cunningham at 613-735-4700, ext. 2712.

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Business Award Winner 2022:

The Renfrew County District Health Unit was awarded the 2022 Business Innovation award for its extraordinary effort coordinating COVID-19 vaccination clinics across the county. This work included building partnerships with multiple organizations and venues while coordinating an army of volunteers. This was being done while the health unit was stretched in its response to providing public health leadership to municipalities, public and private businesses and the broader community.

Business Award Winner 2021:

The Central Canada Hockey League was awarded the business innovation award in 2021 for its creativity in allowing its teams to play developmental scrimmages at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The league paired teams into geographical districts and had to alter playing rules to protect players from the spread of the coronavirus, before vaccines were introduced. This included non-body contact games, no traditional face-offs and limitations on the number of players in dressing rooms. These modifications allowed the league to resume a regular season in the fall of 2021.

Business Award Winner 2020:

Sky Light Drive In. The summer of 2020 will forever be remembered by Pembroke’s venerable Sky Light Drive In. The outdoor movie theatre reinvented itself at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was shuttering many entertainment businesses because of provincial and health unit restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. With no new movies being released, the Drive In brought back classic films and welcomed special events such as concerts, church services and the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards night. It resulted in a boom in business as something old became something new. Owners Kevin Marshall and Kathy Lepine were awarded the Business Innovation Award for their creativity and community partnerships that made the Sky Light Drive In a destination during the pandemic.

Business Award Winner 2019:

Valley Eats, operated by Ryan Schmidt and Dan Renaud, is a start-up company that created an app that has connected great food across the Valley and is increasing revenue to various small businesses that may not otherwise receive the business. The app was created locally and focuses on supporting local businesses providing to consumer’s needs. With user experience in mind, this company makes ordering on the go effortless. With options like delivery, pre-order for pick up, or even reserve and order for dine-in. All done in the palm of your hand. This entrepreneurial endeavour has made local restaurants more accessible to all with a 20km delivery radius, this app provides a greater reach for restaurants, putting your delicious food on the tables of an untapped audience. There is no question that the business has created a niche company that caters to the Valley.

Business Award Winner 2018:

Paperback Events and Consulting is a start-up company that was established less than two years ago. Using a strategic approach to networking, the company has quickly made a name for itself and has also found niche markets in which to excel. The Mil-Spouse Collective is a great example. Taking advantage of their intimate knowledge of being military spouses, the two owners of the company have launched a national conference that will begin in 2019 that focuses on providing military spouses with the skills and confidence needed to pursue or strengthen their entrepreneurship pursuits. The Mil-Spouse Collective won them first prize at the Start-Up Canada Pitch Night held here at the college last June. Since launching, the company has revolutionized the way networking occurs in the Ottawa Valley. Social events can turn into strategic brainstorming sessions and every event tells a story. New events have been brought to our region by the business, including Ottawa Valley’s first craft beer festival and the Pop-Up Baby Show. The company has even supported dog parties. There is no question that the business has created a niche as a specialty event planning company.

Business Award Winner 2017:

Whitewater Brewing Company of Cobden has been in operation since 2012 and is one of the fastest growing craft breweries in Ontario. The business was started by three friends who admit they knew nothing about brewing beer and started their business with a glorified home brewing system that kept them working long days, seven days a week. Often sleep deprived, but never deterred, the young men kept experimenting with different flavours and very quickly, it was apparent the product had hit the mark as craft beers like Farmer’s Daughter became commonplace in bars and restaurants throughout the Ottawa Valley. The business has grown exponentially, expanding to a much larger operation in the village of Cobden and now employing 52 full-time workers. To differentiate their business from competitors they took a chapter out of the past, offering home delivery of their product. Over a dozen people each week take advantage of this growing service. A new drive-through service has just opened as well.

Business Award Winner 2016:

SRB Technologies Canada Inc. of Pembroke recognized solving a supply chain issue within their company through a strategic investment in their infrastructure. The company made a decision to expand their operations to include a plastic injection molding shop. They did this because of the unpredictability of their supply chain. By making this investment, they will be able to manage their inventory much more effectively, create more jobs at their local manufacturing facility, and ultimately reduce their dependence on other companies to meet their needs.

In photo above, Christopher Doré presents Stephane Levesque, President, SRB Technologies and Ross Fitzpatrick, VP, SRB Technologies with the 2016 Business Innovator Award

Business Award Winner 2015:

Jennifer Layman launched the Forward Thinking Marketing Agency in 2006 to help businesses both large and small, get the most from their promotional resources. The marketing initiatives taken on by Jennifer Layman of Forward Thinking demonstrated both business innovation and leadership and have contributed to raising the awareness of what a great place it is to do business in Renfrew County.

Some of the initiatives that Jennifer is involved with include:

• Health Matters magazine – which publishes 3 times a year and educates a local audience about the preventive health care sector.
• Travel Our Backyard – a local travel guide with a circulation of 45,000 for its winter/summer season
• 101 Things to Do in the Ottawa Valley – this compiled list is a great way to share information about new businesses and to promote activities and events in the area
• OV Jobs – is the place people go to for local job opportunities. With 90,000 to 100,000 hits each month, it has become a valuable resource for both employers and job seekers
• Ottawa Valley Business – this online newsletter has a wide reach from tourism to education, from fun activities, to important municipal events, and lots of area news – a popular email with subscribers

In the photo above, Business Program Co-ordinator Kim Drake, left, presents Jennifer Layman of Forward Thinking with the Business Innovation Award 2015, while Vicky Faught, Administrative Services manager at the Pembroke Campus, emcees the event.

Nominate a Business Innovator you know today!

Conference presented by Algonquin College, Pembroke, and our co-sponsors: