Acadian Chamber presents six awards to “impressive” winners during 2013 Entrepreneurs’ Gala

Excellent examples for today’s and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs

SUMMERSIDE, PEI – March 17, 2013 – What do a fish buyer and retailer, a handcraft shop, the manager of a unique tourist attraction, the owner of a hardware store, youth who sell power bracelets and a young lady involved in numerous community organizations have in common?

The one thing that links them together is the fact that they’ve all brought home trophies from the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI (CCAFLIPE) Saturday, March 17, following the 2013 Entrepreneurs’ Gala. As well, chamber spokesperson Jeannette Arsenault considers them all “excellent examples for other Island entrepreneurs and for future entrepreneurs”.

The five winners of the Chamber’s regular awards were selected among 20 received nominations – a record that far surpassed last year’s 14 nominations.

“The selection committee was very impressed by the amazing quality of submissions received,” said gala host Raymond J. Arsenault, while delivering the welcome speech on behalf of the Chamber spokesperson, who could not attend.

“Already, we consider all of the nominees to be winners since they all contribute exceptionally to our province’s economy, to job creation, to the development of our communities and to the delivery of high quality products and services,” she said in her message. “At the end of this evening, only a handful of people will leave this hall with a trophy in their hand. But truth be told, it is the rest of the people here who are the real winners since we get to benefit from the marvelous products and services that you provide us every single day!”

In addition to the regular awards, the CCAFLIPE also presented a brand new prize for participants of last year’s Young Millionaires program.

Here is the official list of winners:

  • 2012 Young Millionaires Award: Les bracelets de André et Chad (owners André Arsenault of Abram-Village and Chad Arsenault of St. Raphael);
  • 2013 Enterprising Youth of the Year: Katelyn Gill of Charlottetown;
  • 2013 Co-operative of the Year: Abram’s Village Handcraft Co-op;
  • 2013 Business Woman of the Year: Lise Buote, owner of Blue Heron Enterprises and co-owner of Blue Heron Construction, Rustico;
  • 2013 Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year: Réjeanne Arsenault, owner of the Bottle Houses, Cape-Egmont;
  • 2013 President’s Excellence Award: Arsenault’s Fish Mart, Summerside and Maximeville (owner Robert Arsenault).

This year’s winners’ list features a number of females. In fact, the Enterprising Youth and the Distinguished Entrepreneur awards were given to women for a first time ever.

The 2013 gala represented the 12th edition of the entrepreneurial awards night organized by the Chamber and its parent organization, RDÉE Prince Edward Island. About 100 people attended the event to help with the celebration.

The main sponsors of the evening were RDÉE Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Province of Prince Edward Island, Evangeline-Central Credit Union, CBDC Central PEI, Mike Bradley Insurance Services (The Co-operators), the PERCÉ Program and Radio-Canada Acadie. Secondary sponsors were The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), La Voix acadienne and ProMax 2000.

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CUTLINE 1: Here are the winners of the regular awards from the 2013 Entrepreneurs’ Gala, hosted March 16 by the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI: from left, Réjeanne Arsenault from The Bottle Houses, winner of the 2013 Distinguished Entrepreneur Award; Katelyn Gill from Charlottetown, recipient of the 2013 Enterprising Youth Award; Chris Buote, who accepted the 2013 Business Woman of the Year Award on behalf of his sister Lise Buote from Blue Heron Enterprises and Blue Heron Construction; Holli Casey from Arsenault’s Fish Mart, winner of the 2013 President’s Award of Excellence; and Yvonne Arsenault from the Abram-Village Handcraft Co-op, winner of the 2013 Co-op of the Year Award.

CUTLINE 2: Best buddies and first cousins Chad and André Arsenault from “Les bracelets de André et Chad” were the winners of the 2012 Young Millionaires Award at the 2013 Entrepreneurs’ Gala Saturday night.

For more information:
Raymond J. Arsenault
Co-ordinator
2013 Entrepreneurs’ Gala
(902) 854-3665
raymond@rdeeipe.org