Celebrating excellence and community commitment at the Peter Perry & Business Achievement Awards gala

On November 15, guests arrived to the snow-covered grounds of Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility and were greeted by Whitby’s Town Crier announcing the significance of the 2018 Peter Perry & Business Achievement Awards. Since 1955, the Whitby Chamber of Commerce has had the distinct pleasure of awarding Whitby’s citizen of the year. In the Chamber’s 90th year, this tradition continued by publicly recognizing local businesses and individuals that have demonstrated a passion for excellence, a commitment to their community and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

The celebrations began with an open bar reception, sponsored by Mason Bennett Johncox, where guests could snack on passed hors d’oeuvres, sample local gin and vodka made by The Durham Distillery, snap a picture with friends and colleagues in the photobooth, enjoy the musical stylings of the Durham Youth Orchestra, and peruse the silent auction provided by Parker & Associates Marketing.

Event emcees, Jerry Archer and Carolyn Ellis from kx96, kicked off the awards ceremony by reporting on the WCC’s history from the Whitby Chamber News Network desk during the opening video featuring Platinum Sponsors Johnson Insurance, RBC Royal Bank, TD Business Banking, Snyder Construction and Vickery Electric. After this trip down memory lane, the six Business Achievement Awards we’re handed out over dinner.

“My family is so blessed to have been embraced by the community this way,” said Alison Galvan, owner of The Food and Art Café and winner of the New Business of the Year Award. “Just over a year ago we moved to Whitby to start our business in a town full of strangers. Now I stand here tonight surrounded by customers, friends and family.”

The 2018 Business Achievement Award winners are:

Business Achievement Award 1-15 Employees
Predictive Success Corporation

Business Achievement Award 16-49 Employees
Campkin’s RV Centre

New Business of the Year
The Food and Art Café

Not for Profit of the Year
Grandview Children’s Foundation

Todd Skinner Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Fran Steyn, Frantastic Events

Business Person of the Year
Michael Angemeer, Veridian

After the final break of the evening, Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell was welcomed to the stage to award the 63rd Peter Perry Award winner: Doug Allingham. Dedicating the last 30 years to volunteerism in the community, Allingham’s career reflects the spirit of town founder and astute businessman, Peter Perry, whom the award was designed to commemorate. Born in South Africa and raised in the United Kingdom, Allingham immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of 12. Having graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Waterloo in 1978, he began a long career dedicated to improving transportation, environmental assessment, and master planning. He served as the former President and Director of the Canadian Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Director of the International Institute of Transportation Engineers and member of the Central Ontario Smart Growth Task Force. Recently retired from AECOM as the Executive Vice-President, he is currently the Chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and brings a wealth of knowledge from board positions with the Abilities Centre, Durham College, Lakeridge Health and the WCC. His extensive volunteer work, professional dedication and commitment to our community also resulted in a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award in 2012.

“To be considered in the company of the great citizens who have previously won this award is truly humbling,” said Allingham. “Whitby is a great place to live and work as a result of the continued hard work of many people; volunteerism is what makes this community standout and it is the efforts of many that improve the quality of life for all residents. Those who volunteer, and there are many in this town, know that success is a journey, not a destination, and they are rewarded by the thought of enriching the lives of every person who resides here – young or old, including those who face various challenges in life.”

After wrapping up the awards ceremony in an uplifting and comical closing video featuring Gold Sponsors 360insights, Collins Barrow Durham, Coughlan Homes and Trafalgar Castle School, the celebrations continued over champagne and a cupcake bar provided by Cupcake Junkie.

“I’m excited about what the next 90 years holds for the Chamber,” explained WCC Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Prychitko. “I see a future that delivers unique programming, creates extraordinary experiences and drives our collective voices through our municipality, province and country. With the ongoing support of our members, we will continue to grow, embrace new businesses in our community and most of all make a significant impact on our economic development.”