Georgian Lakelands Chapter Awards 2018

Landscape Ontario’s Georgian Lakelands Chapter held their 4th annual Awards of Distinction at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ont., on Nov. 29. Emceed by Clearview Nursery’s Michael LaPorte, the evening included  socializing and dinner prior to the announcement of winners in each of the nine categories to a crowd of 90 people. The Chapter would like to thank the generous sponsors who helped to make this event possible; Barrie's Garden Centre (Gold Sponsor), Cast n Stone Inc (Silver Sponsor), Dearborn Designs & Associates, LA Gardens, Georgian Bay Outdoors (Bronze Sponsors).

Nick Solty, a past-president of Landscape Ontario and founding member of the chapter, commented on the growth of the Awards of Distinction event, "I was thinking back to the first awards night we had up in Orillia, with 20 people. We have really grown this event into a really nice event over the last 4 years." 

This year, the Awards featured a new category; the Young Entrepreneur of the Year. This Award recognizes Landscape Ontario member companies within the Georgian Lakelands Chapter that have been in business for less than five years. The inaugural Award was given to Lisa Hunter, owner of The Tiny Gardener. 

Congratulations to the winners:
•  Hardscape Material Supplier of the Year: Georgian Bay Outdoors
•  Plant Material Supplier of the Year: Clearview Nursery
•  Equipment and Accessory Supplier of the Year: Bobcat of Barrie
•  Best service Supplier of the Year: Sarjeant Fuels
•  Best Salesperson of the Year: Brent Burton, Georgian Bay Outdoors
•  Best Boss of the Year: Rob Vogel, Georgian Bay Outdoors
•  Volunteer of the Year: Lynne Barnes
•  Employee of the Year: Tracy Carter, Solty's Garden Centre
•  Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Lisa Hunter, The Tiny Gardener
•  Service and Leadership Award: Lexi Dearborn, Dearborn Designs

A full list of nominees can be found here.