EY celebrates 20 years of outstanding entrepreneurial achievements
TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Congratulations to Geoffrey Smith of EllisDon Corporation — Canada's 2013 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year!
After five regional galas that brought together more than 5,000 supporters in markets from coast to coast, Geoffrey took the top spot in the competition, which drew to a glittering close in Toronto last night. He will represent Canada at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition in Monaco June 4 to 8.
"We encounter incredible and inspiring stories of the entrepreneurial spirit at its best through our Entrepreneur Of The Year program. And Geoffrey's is certainly one we can all aspire to emulate," says Colleen McMorrow, EY partner and National Entrepreneur Of The Year program director. "Under his leadership, EllisDon didn't enter a new era of growth — it redefined the meaning of the word. Today, the company is moving into new markets and new sectors across Canada and around the world. We can't wait to see what he'll accomplish next."
Geoffrey's win marks 20 years of Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners in Canada. His name is the latest on a distinguished list of game-changing Canadian entrepreneurs who span every industry and make real noise on the global stage. The collective accomplishments of past Canadian Entrepreneur Of The Year winners include everything from building new airlines to revolutionizing the entertainment sector to developing groundbreaking technology — and beyond.
McMorrow cites Geoffrey's particular ability to scale this employee-owned business up as a major achievement, one that other emerging entrepreneurs must focus on to succeed in the long term.
"In Canada we've seen entrepreneurs, governments and corporations come together to create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem where startups can flourish. And it's working. Now it's time to shift gears and broaden our startup culture to one that effectively fosters long-term growth," says McMorrow. "Entrepreneurs have taught us to always look forward. Businesses built to scale will chart Canada's future course on the global stage. That's the next step."
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs everywhere. The Canadian program is in its 20th year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business. Award finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial success and social responsibility.
National special citations awarded:
Many of the award winners across the country stand out not only as leaders in their industry, but also for the unique mark they've made on the entrepreneurial landscape. The following entrepreneurs are EY Entrepreneur Of The Year category award recipients in their regions and were also selected by the national judges as special citation honourees. These men and women have demonstrated outstanding innovation in globalization, business models, products and services and partnerships by embracing business challenges and opportunities with passion, purpose, execution, relentless customer focus and realized unprecedented financial results.
Pacific
Shannon Rogers, Warren Roy
Global Relay Communications Inc. | Vancouver
globalrelay.com
Entrepreneurial leadership
An expert in compliance messaging solutions, including compliance archiving, messaging, mobile and collaboration.
Shahrzad Rafati
BroadbandTV | Vancouver
broadbandtvcorp.com
Business model innovation
Helps content creators become more successful online by providing them with advanced tools and technology.
Prairies
Reza Nasseri
Landmark Group of Builders | Edmonton
landmarkgroup.ca
Product innovation
One of the largest production homebuilders in Alberta specializing in developing sustainable building.
Ontario
Alex Mustakas
Drayton Entertainment | Cambridge
draytonentertainment.com
Partnership with community
An award-winning circuit of seven live theatres operating in six communities across Ontario: Cambridge, Drayton, Grand Bend, Penetanguishene, Waterloo and St. Jacobs.
Québec
Constance Raymond, Jean-Françoys Brousseau
Outbox Holding CRB Inc. | Montréal
outboxtechnology.com
Customer-driven excellence
Manages and processes worldwide high-volume ticket sales for venues and shows over an easy-to-use, innovative technology platform.
What's next?
The 2014 World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards will be held June 4 to 8 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Geoffrey Smith, Canada's Entrepreneur Of The Year, will compete with more than 50 other country recipients for the title of EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year
Entrepreneurs turn us on. To new ideas, new ways of thinking and new possibilities. We've shone the spotlight on entrepreneurs for 20 years — and we've only just begun. Nominees are reviewed by an independent judging panel composed of several distinguished business leaders and previous award recipients. The 2013 National judging panel consisted of Dr. Alan Ulsifer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FYidoctors (and 2012 National Entrepreneur Of The Year winner); Julia Deans, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Youth Business Foundation; Tony Franceschini, retired President and Chief Executive Officer, Stantec Incorporated; Michel Gendreau, President, Garaga Inc. (and 2012 Quebec Entrepreneur Of The Year); Mike Mallory, New Brunswick Group Chair, TEC Group; Donald A. McInnes, Vice Chairman, Alterra Power Corp. (and 2011 Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year Cleantech category award winner); and David R. Shaw, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Knightsbridge Human Capital Management (and 2010 Ontario Entrepreneur Of The Year Professional/Financial Services category winner, 2010 National Special Citation, Customer-Driven Excellence).
For more information on the program, FAQs and key dates, and to see all the winners across Canada, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOY20.
This year's national program sponsors are National Post, La Presse, RDI, Merrill DataSite and Pandora Jewellery.
About EY's Strategic Growth Markets practice
EY's Strategic Growth Markets practice guides Canadian entrepreneurs by delivering integrated services tailored to their goals and needs at every stage of the business lifecycle. We are the world leader in advising, guiding and recognizing the entrepreneurs who propel the economy — and community — forward.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ca/Entrepreneurs.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
For more information, please visit ey.com/ca.
EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
SOURCE: EY (Ernst & Young)
Sarah Shields
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Erika Bennett
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