Kitchener – On Thursday, February 19, 2009, over 800 people honoured the exceptional contributions of 84 individuals and organizations who were nominated for Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Announces Business Excellence Awards at the Chamber’s annual gala. Nine recipients were announced at the Bingeman's Marshall hall and hosted by Chamber president and CEO Joan Fisk and CTV news anchor Kyle Christie.

2009 Business Excellence Award Winners

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Paul Maxwell – Maxwell’s Music House
New Member of the Year Award Allstate Insurance
Volunteer of the Year Award Heather Melrose
Non-Profit/Charitable Award K-W Counselling
Workplace Training Award Sun Life Financial
Environment Award AET Group Inc.
Innovation Award Maplesoft
Business of the Year (under 20 employees) Xylotek Solutions Inc.
Business of the Year (over 20 employees) Open Text Corporation
Michael R. Follett Community Leader Award Jamie Grant
Outstanding Community Achievement Kitchener Rangers Memorial Cup

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Paul Maxwell – Maxwell’s Music House

Maxwell’s Music House founded by Paul Maxwell, is a revolutionary approach to traditional “music lessons”. As a forward-thinking entrepreneur, Paul is the owner, operator and manager of this unique music house that provides music lessons, rehearsal spaces, and group workshops that focus on promoting artistic growth and development.

Paul’s success is a result of actively participating in all aspects of the business. He is involved in the development of the music lessons offered, offers the space to host a number of community related items including private parties, charity/benefit concerts, children’s parties and camps, among others. In addition, the services available for local musicians include website development; live audio recording, photography and much more.

Paul is energetic, innovative, and creative. His passion is what drives him and as a result, he is this year’s ideal choice for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

New Member of the Year Award

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company became a member of the Chamber after recognizing the direct correlation between their company’s values and that of the Chamber’s.

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is a company that identifies the value of striving for excellence, while keeping a high level of service to the Waterloo Region community. In business for over 40 years, they understand the importance of relationship building and put this at the heart of their business. As strong believers in being good corporate citizens, the local office actively participates with Green Solutions, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. In addition, their contributions to the Chamber have been exceptional including active participation with the Chamber Health Care Recruitment, Business After Five events, and multiple committees including the Business Excellence Awards committee.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Heather Melrose

Heather Melrose is the essence of what a Chamber volunteer is. As an active member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, she is an active participant in the planning and execution of what the Chamber offers.

Heather is a Champion on the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards committee, and a member of the newly formed Hangar Party and 100 Mile Feast committees. In addition, she has played an integral role in the planning for the Business Excellence Awards Gala for several years including the concept, planning, and execution of the event. Her dedication and enthusiasm for all of her volunteer commitments made her an easy choice for this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award, and we are delighted to have such a fine example of volunteerism here at the Chamber.

Non-Profit/Charitable Award

K-W Counselling

Founded in 1950, K-W Counselling Services is a multi-service agency providing individual, family, group and outreach supports to the community. As the Non-Profit/Charitable Award is new this year, this organization was the perfect fit as the recipient, as they demonstrate easily the importance of having a strong believe in the values of the organization, the services they offer, and the community they live in.

Inspired by a deep commitment to social responsibility and their optimism in the power of relationships, K-W Counselling Services reaches out with it’s community partners to all community members in the effort to discover with them those strengths and possibilities that lead to fulfilled and productive lives.

Workplace Training Award

Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a company that ensures that all employees receive the opportunity relevant and current training. As a leader in their industry, they offer financial planning, products and services for individuals, families, small businesses, financial advisors, group consultants and brokers.

The company has a formal policy outlining its commitment to the continuous development and growth of employees and they offer education assistance as well. In addition, the company has paid training offered in four areas; leadership development, employee development, technical training and regulatory training. In 2008, 60% of the management team participated in leadership training.

We are delighted to announce that Sun Life Financial is the recipient of this prestigious award for promoting enhancements in their workplace training for all employees now and the future to come.

Environment Award

AET Group Inc.

Each year the Environment Award is given to a company that has a team that strives for full awareness of the issues of the environment as they are based in the local community and the global scale. AET Group Inc. is the ultimate choice, and with all their years of experience, they are no stranger to making changes that affect their environment.

AET Group Inc. seeks to integrate the environmental, economic and societal aspects of its business to protect the natural environment. A Canadian environmental consulting firm, they provide multidisciplinary solutions to industry, governments, and other professional organizations. The team consists of engineering technologists, technicians, scientists, auditors, assessors, and building science specialists. They actively promote environmental awareness by attending tradeshows, and develop and facilitate related workshops.

Innovation Award

Maplesoft

Maplesoft is a company that is helping to transform the way we look at mathematical computing software. A leader in their field, their experience and expertise spans over two decades. Maplesoft has established Canada’s leadership in the field of mathematical computing software. Based on breakthrough technology for automating complex mathematical operations, their products are used at thousands of companies and universities worldwide to support exploration and mastery of the mathematics found in: engineering, design and scientific research. This is the only software in the world that supports the complete technical modeling process from concept to completion. Here is a company that truly stands behind what they produce, recognizing that their products are affecting people globally.

Business of the Year (under 20 employees)

Xylotek Solutions Inc.

Established in 2005, Xylotek Solutions Inc. is a full-service, IT Consulting Firm. They bring enterprise level IT support, IT maintenance, and IT design and implementation to small and medium sized businesses.

When faced with an IT challenge, they help clarify the client’s options, eliminate confusion, and cut through the technical jargon to find the best solution for the business. Xylotek’s history of success, growth and diverse base of satisfied customers has earned it the #40 spot on the PROFIT HOT 50 list. The contributions of this organization are critical to the success of their clients, and their level of excellence.

Business of the Year (over 20 employees)

Open Text

Open Text is a company that has been highly and widely recognized worldwide as a leading distributor in computer software applications – and is right here in Waterloo Region.

Producers and distributors of computer software applications designed to enable enterprise content management solutions for large corporate systems. Its flagship technologies are Livelink ECM – Enterprise Server and Livelink ECM – Archive Server. Both of these are the core of many ECP products.

Open Text helps organizations manage and gain true value from their business content, and develops the widest array of tailored content management applications and solutio ns in their industry. A top company at the top of their game, and we are thrilled to be able to award the Business of the Year (over 20 employees) for 2009.

Michael R. Follett Community Leader Award

Jamie Grant

Jamie Grant is an individual that needs little introduction. A man of true character, he contributes to our fine community selflessly and tirelessly, and we are ever so pleased to award him the Michael R. Follett Community Leader Award.

Jamie shares the common vision for an amazing community and he has a strong willingness to share his time. As Executive Director for the Centre in the Square, he has provided a number of solutions for other arts organizations including the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, and the Registry Theatre. His volunteer roles are numerous including leader of the Magnetic North Annual Festival, Board member of Grand River Hospital Foundation, and Canada’s Technology Triangle, among numerous others. He was instrumental in brining the Community Ticket Program to life, and was founder and past Chairman of EyeGO to the arts.

A fantastic individual, and our community is pleased and fortunate to have him as part of the growth and prosperity for our region.

Outstanding Community Achievement – Special Award

Kitchener Rangers Memorial Cup

During the judging process this year, it became evident that there was one nominee that contributed an extraordinary amount of effort into a rather unique item – a one time event for our community. It was felt that this organization needed to be recognized beyond the awards given, and so we are providing the Outstanding Community Achievement award to the Kitchener Rangers for their brilliant execution of the Memorial Cup.

The Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club has existed successfully since 1963, when it became a community-based sports organization to compete in the Ontario Hockey Association. It is one of only a few in Canada and the United States to exist with a community based ownership.

Success for the Club is annually measured on several fronts: graduating player’s success, on- ice team success, financial success, community philanthropy, and attendance. Most notably, in 2008 the Club was the host team and community for the 2008 Master Card Memorial Cup. This event captivated the community, province and beyond and drew in thousands upon thousands of people to the Region to participate and celebrate along with the team. Our community has once again been brought to the forefront of people’s minds, and the sporting community, thanks to the successes of this great organization.