The nominees for the 2019 Richmond Hill Board of Trade Business Achievement Awards represent the best of Richmond Hill businesses large and small. It was an honour to celebrate the finalists as well as the winners of these prestigious awards on Thursday March 7 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel.
The Board of Trade recognized the opening chapter of tomorrow’s success story by presenting a Chair’s Award for Best New Start Up. This year’s award recognized achievement in building a micro-business that uses technology to support the very human need for connection, for a helping hand…and for less stress in our lives. The Chair’s Award was given to Heather Skoll of Reset Zone.
The Mayor’s Award went to Les Mote of R.F. Mote, a family owned business in Richmond Hill for the last 53 years. R.F. Mote today is a data centre fabricator and is a major player in the marketplace.
This year’s Environment and Conservation Award was given to one of our town’s best examples of environmental sustainability and conservation. Hillcrest Mall believes in taking responsibility for future generations. Their waste container programs and recycling systems have resulted in a waste diversion rate of 86%. That adds up to saving 550 trees, 730,000 litres of water, 112,000 kwh of energy and diverting 35 metric tons of organics from landfill. Hillcrest also has multiple bike racks and a car charging station and of course….they’ve got the bees!
The Hospitality Award was presented to the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North – a hotel the size of a city block with a warm, community feeling. The Sheraton has 312 guest rooms and suites and a wide range of great facilities. What’s best about the hotel, though, are its people – many of whom have been with the Sheraton for decades.
The Richmond Hill Community Foodbank received the Non-Profit Award this year. With a strong, committed volunteer base, the food bank serves hundreds of families each month, filling the gaps and working to support everyone in our community. 
For nearly 30 years, Intergroup Facility Services has been providing complete building solutions, specializing in janitorial services and building operations. These days they are just as likely to be providing event services, emergency flood restoration and construction services. Intergroup received the Professional Services Award.
High school student Keeley Aird won the Young Entrepreneur award for her work leading STEM Kids Rock. The group’s mission is to inspire, engage and empower the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math. STEM Kids Rock is a free Mobile Science Centre that goes out into communities to reach elementary aged children and inspire them to fall in love with science.
There were two winners in the General Business category:
Social Coffee was founded in 2009 in Richmond Hill, dedicated to making coffee a social experience. They’re passionate about sourcing, roasting and brewing delicious coffee. Social Coffees products can be found at their roaster and at various specialty coffee espresso bars, restaurants and specialty markets.
On the Dance Floor Boutique says we are ‘living on the dance floor of life.’ They create limited edition collections for dancewear, fashionwear and theatrical and dance productions.