For 20th edition of its Entrepreneurs’ Gala

ABRAM-VILLAGE – Dec. 6, 2021 – Ten businesses, organizations and individuals – from a wide range of economic sectors – are competing for five entrepreneurial excellence awards to be presented at the 2022 edition of the Entrepreneurs’ Gala hosted by the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI (CCAFLIPE). Chamber spokesperson Pierre Gallant described the achievements of all the nominees as exceptional.

And, « believe it or not, we are already preparing for our 20th Entrepreneurs’ Gala! » said Gallant on Dec. 3rd as he announced the finalists. « To celebrate this great occasion, which will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2022, we will be hosting a nice little wine-and-cheese reception just prior to the Gala. Then, during the banquet, we’ll show a series of photos of our winners from our first 19 years on the big screen! And, considering the great list of nominees we’re presenting to you tonight, we guarantee it will be worth your while to attend. » The venue for the Gala is still to be confirmed.

A very important criterion that applied to all categories this year was sustainability. « We are proud to report that the Selection Committee saw, in the vast majority of the entries received, very good measures aimed not only at environmental protection practices but also measures to ensure the financial and human resource efficiency of their operations, » said the spokesperson.

He noted, however, that the number of entries per category was not well balanced this year, with some categories receiving only one entry and others receiving up to six.

FINALISTS

Gallant then announced the finalists.

2022 Business of Excellence of the Year
• Atlantic Bioheat, owned by Dick Arsenault of Abram-Village;
• La Voix acadienne, Summerside’s weekly Acadian and francophone newspaper;
• Monsieur Vrac, the Smart Grocery Store Inc. owned by Israel Poulin of Charlottetown.

2022 Distinguished Employee of the Year
• Marcia Enman of Wellington (La Voix acadienne)

2022 Social Economy Business of the Year
• The Wellington Co-op;
• The Wellington Royal Canadian Legion;
• La Voix acadienne, Summerside.

2022 Young Enterprising Person of the Year
• Gilbert Arsenault of Cape Egmont (fiddler);
• Nico Durant of Mont-Carmel (multi entrepreneur).

2021 Young Millionaire of the Year
• To be announced at the Gala.

The « 2022 Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year » award will not be presented at the 2022 Gala.

The final portion of the 2022 Entrepreneurs’ Gala will be dedicated to the induction of four entrepreneurs of great merit into the PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame.

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PHOTO: Following the announcement of finalists of the Entrepreneurial Awards of Excellence Contest on Dec. 3 are, from left, finalists Dick Arsenault, owner of Atlantic Bioheat in Abram-Village, and Marcia Enman, executive director of La Voix acadienne; Pierre Gallant, spokesperson for the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, who announced the details of the 2020 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala; and finalists Lisa Gallant, president of the Wellington Co-operative, and Mike Gallant, manager of the Wellington Royal Canadian Legion.

 

For more information, please contact
Raymond J. Arsenault
Coordinator of the Entrepreneurs’ Gala
raymond@rdeeipe.org