COWICHAN VALLEY – The Chamber’s 20th Black Tie Awards were held on April 9, 2016 at Brentwood College School. We welcomed 294 guests – the most ever to attend the Awards. Island Savings, a Division of First West Credit Union, returned for the second year as Presenting Sponsor.
“The Awards connect to the very heart of what we Cowichan Valley residents value most: service, excellence, volunteerism, artistry, green thinking and success – values that Island Savings lives by and just one reason that we’re proud to sponsor tonight’s presentation,” said President and CEO Randy Bertsch.
The Masters of Ceremonies for the event were Daphne Goode of Shaw TV, and the world renowned tenor and performer Ken Lavigne. The event is the Chamber’s only annual fundraising event and Mr. Lavigne further supported the Awards by raffling off a serenade. The winner was treated to a tongue-in-cheek rendition of “It’s Not Unusual” by Mr. Lavigne, dressed in his signature silver lame jacket.
Guests enjoyed the antics of two “assistant presenters” – Brentwood’s Artie the Robot helped present the Art in Business Award, and Cowichan Canaine’s star Shasta delivered the Volunteer of the Year results to the stage.
There were three Finalists in each of eight categories and all 24 were honoured with framed certificates and glowing tributes from sponsors and judges. The Winners were announced as: Customer Service sponsored by Cardino Shoes – Chris & Leigh Davies of Mid-Island Ink Depot; Business Achievement 1 – 10 Employees sponsored by Island Savings A Division of First West Credit Union – Harold W. Wallace, H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre Inc.; Business Achievement 11 – 19 Employees Sponsored by Steelhead LNG – Sebastien Martin, Wedderspoon Organic Inc.;
Business Achievement 20+ Employees Sponsored by MNP – Duane Shaw, Mill Bay Marine Group; Art in Business Sponsored by Brentwood College School – Andreas & Naomi Kunert, Ancient Art of Stone; Volunteer of the Year Sponsored by Peninsula Co-Op – Cathy King, Muscular Dystrophy, Pay It Forward Crew, Warmland Shelter & Others;
Green Business Sponsored by Economic Development Cowichan – Judy Stafford & Team, Cowichan Green Community and Young Entrepreneur Sponsored by Coastal Community Credit Union – Jacqueline Bergstrom & Christina Hanson, Backwoods Soap & Candle Co.
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The Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit officially opened last month with a launch of the new Audi R8. The track welcomed over 500 guests for this 23-day event. Dealers, dealership employees from all over Canada and clients from each Audi Centre were estimated to spend approximately $1.5 million locally.
The Circuit will host four waves of automotive and lifestyle jounalists this month. They will visit the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, stay at the Villa Eyrie Resort, tour the island by helicopter, enjoy locally grown food and wines, explore the Cowichan Valley and Island attractions, and get a sense of why we call the Island a little piece of paradise.
If you have not heard about Canada’s only year-round motorsport facility, situated in the beautiful Cowichan Valley, check it out at www.islandmotorsportcircuit.com.
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Welcome new members to the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce: Original Joes, Cowichan Green Community, Young Health Management, Fisher King Web Designs, Legal Shield – Frederic Robinson, True Grain Bread, Gutter Works, ISharp Technical Services, Eclipse HR Solutions, Cowichan Eyecare and Canadian Home Builders – Vancouver Island.
– Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at manager@duncancc.bc.ca or 250-748-1111.
