2017 ICCO Business Excellence Awards Gala

2017 Business Excellence Awards

The Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario (ICCO) hosted the 15th annual Business Excellence Awards (BEA) on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex, Toronto.

The 2017 edition of the awards marked the 15th Anniversary of the event as well as celebrated Canada’s Sesquicentennial (150th) as well as showcase dindividuals who have changed the economic landscape of Ontario, and given a competitive edge to their business.

As part of the celebration, ICCO members, friends, and prominent leaders of business, politics, and culture gathered together in order to commemorate the engagement and leadership of the award recipients. This prestigious event also served as a chance to thank them for their outstanding efforts towards our community’s ongoing prosperity.

600 entrepreneur celebrated the contribution of the Canadian community of Italian origin to the building of Canada. The 150th anniversary was remembered with seven awards and a magnificent speech by hon. Frank Iacobucci:

INTRODUCTION

When Corrado Paina asked me to offer some remarks this evening, we both thought it appropriate for me to share some reflections on Italian Canadians especially since we are celebrating the sesquicentennial of Canada. Now I am not 150 years old but I am over one half that age and have witnessed great changes for Italian Canadians – much for the better.

I thought I’d give a brief overview of the settling in Canada of Italians interspersed with personal experiences of my family and myself. My personal experiences are not meant to be unique but simply to illustrate the events that occurred and the transformation that has taken place. Now for a little history.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL TRANSCRIPT OF SPEECH

Also, an exclusive interview with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Francois-Philippe Champagne.
Click here to see some photographs from this amazing event.

AWARD RECIPIENTS