LCBO 2016 Elsie Awards Recognize Outstanding Suppliers and Agents

TORONTO, June 16, 2016 /CNW/ -  LCBO honoured its suppliers and their agents for innovation, creativity and commitment to customer service and social responsibility at the Elsie Awards held in Toronto on June 15^th. The Elsies, a play on LCBO, is an annual industry awards program.

"This year marks the 22^nd anniversary of the Elsie Awards, providing the LCBO the opportunity to honour its trade partners for their innovation, focus on customer service and support," said Carolyn O'Grady Gold, LCBO Director of Wines and Co-Chair of the Elsie Awards. "While all of LCBO's trade partners contribute to our success, the Elsie Awards give us the opportunity to recognize those who have set themselves apart by going above and beyond to deliver excellence."

Twenty-eight awards were handed out, including agents/suppliers of the year, best new product launches, best gift item, best special event, excellence in marketing of Ontario VQA wines and best FOOD & DRINK ad. Excellence in social responsibility and environmental commitment were also singled out for recognition. For a complete list of award recipients, see below.

Three Agents/Suppliers of the Year Awards were handed out to recognize the success of large (Imperial), medium (Double Magnum) and small (Magnum) companies. These coveted awards went to Labatt Breweries of Canada (Imperial), Canada Dry Mott's Inc. (Double Magnum), and Connexion Oenophilia (Magnum).

"We are pleased to present Connexion Oenophilia with the Agent/Supplier of the Year (Magnum) Award," said LCBO president & CEO George Soleas. "Featuring a wide assortment of products from smaller independent producers, Connexion Oenophilia enables the LCBO to provide unique and special products to our customers."

The 2016 Social Responsibility Award went to Brown-Forman Corporation, recognizing the company's long-standing commitment to promotion of responsible consumption, giving back to the community, and involvement in a broad range of local and global environmental sustainability programs.

The prestigious Special Recognition award was presented to wine reviewer Gord Stimmell. Throughout his 35 years of writing he travelled extensively across the globe interviewing winemakers and producers.  His columns contributed to the expansion of the public knowledge of wines and earned a faithful following of readers from around the world.

Note: Photos of the winners are available by request.

2016 ELSIE AWARD RECIPIENTS

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Brown-Forman Corporation

BEST SPECIAL EVENT: Labatt Breweries of Canada – Goose Island Vanilla Rye Bourbon County Stout

BEST FOOD & DRINK WINE: Glencairn Wine Merchants

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT: Yealands Estate – Peter Yealands, Principal

BEST FOOD & DRINK AD: Andrew Peller Ltd.

BEST GIFT ITEM: Charton-Hobbs Inc. – Veuve Clicquot Brut Mailbox

BEST NICHE MARKETING: HHD Imports Inc. – Year of the Monkey Pinot Noir

VQA EXCELLENCE AWARD: Constellation Brands

VINTAGES PORTFOLIO AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.

BEST INTEGRATED MARKETING PROGRAM: Constellation Brands – Pure New Zealand, Pure Nobilo

BEST VINTAGES EVENT: Trialto Wine Group Limited – Barolo Time Machine – Walk-around Tasting & Dinner

MADE IN ONTARIO: Better Bitters – Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Diageo Canada Inc. – Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: WINES: Corby Spirit and Wine – Jackob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: BEERS: Von Terra Enterprises Ltd. – Sierra Nevada

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: PRODUCT FLOW: Antonella Quagliozzi – Profile Wine Group

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SUPPLY CHAIN: Escalade Wines & Spirits

PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING AWARD: Rogers & Company – The Wines of Nino Franco – Product Consultant Regional Conference, Winter 2015

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: BEERS: Andrew Kelen – Labatt Breweries of Canada

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: VINTAGES: Colin Halpern – Halpern Enterprises

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: WINES: Rob Convery – Philippe Dandurand Wines

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: WINES: Matt Wicksted – Philippe Dandurand Wines

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Ryan Keery – Beam Suntory

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Patrick Sweeney – Beam Suntory

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Keith Pinto – Beam Suntory

PARTNERSHIP AWARD: RETAIL: Jane Petrie – Constellation Brands

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Gord Stimmell

AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: MAGNUM: Connexion Oenophilia

AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: DOUBLE MAGNUM: Canada Dry Mott's Inc.

AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: IMPERIAL: Labatt Breweries of Canada

SOURCE LCBO

MEDIA CONTACTS: Christine Bujold, LCBO Media Relations Co-ordinator, Tel: [phone]; Cell: 416 587-3729; E-mail: [email protected]; Genevieve Tomney, LCBO Media Relations Coordinator, Tel: [phone]; Cell: 647-339-5428; E-mail: [email protected]