A little snow couldn’t stop the South Shore business community from celebrating their successes.
As a result of weather, the Lunenburg Queens Business Excellence Awards (LQBEA) were pushed back a day to March 5, but the change of date didn’t dampen any spirits.
Shawn Allen, the event’s master of ceremonies and chair for the organizing committee, said he was pleased by the turnout to celebrate local businesses.
“This is probably the one time a year that we all get together, shake a few hands and tell a few lies,” said Allen at the event, which was hosted at Best Western Plus Bridgewater Hotel and Convention Centre.
“Businesses get to celebrate themselves for what they do all year.”
Allen added that there have actually been a growing number of nominations for the new business award category, which is good news for the region.
“I never expect as many entries for new business as we do. I think they need to be commended for taking that risk,” he said.
Reid Whynot, a councillor for the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, was also in attendance to celebrate the region’s business community.
He said it is the job of townspeople is to support and foster local enterprises.
“It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” said Whynot. “It’s nice to see people being promoted for what they do.”
In addition to a social hour and dinner, the event also featured businesswoman Myrna Gillis as its keynote speaker.
Gillis, the founder and CEO of Aqualitas, said business is about building on both one’s passions and community.
And given that Aqualitas is the largest producer of cannabis in the province, Gillis heralded the efforts of Nova Scotians.
“We sell more medical cannabis in Nova Scotia than British Columbia and Quebec,” she said to an attentive crowd.
“If you talk about your B.C. bud, I’d like to introduce you to your Atlantic bud.”
Award winners
Listed below are the winners for each category of the 2019 Lunenburg Queens Business Excellence Awards.
- New business award: Tanner & Co. Brewing
- Hospitality award: The Barn Coffee & Social House
- Export achievement award: Dr. Kombu Brewing Company
- Small business award: Tilia Builders
- Large business award: Belliveau Veinotte Inc.
- Outstanding service award: Memories Cafe
