The Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce sincerely thanks all sponsors, guests, and volunteers for their continued support and generosity for making the15th Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala yet another incredible success!
May 12, 2017 – The Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce hosted over 650 members and friends of the Croatian-Canadian community, including dignitaries from Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government as well as Croatian government officials at the Burlington Convention Centre, in Burlington, Ontario.
The awards evening is designed to formally recognize leadership, innovation and excellence within the Croatian-Canadian business community and significant contributions by Croatian-Canadians to Canadian society as a whole.
The evening commenced with Ivan Grbesic addressing the guests with a brief
greeting followed by the presentation to this year’s scholarship and bursary award recipients. Robert Hudaj, along with Her Excellency Marica Zorica Matkovic and Victor Dodig, President and CEO of CIBC, were honoured to present two scholarships and a bursary to three outstanding students: Agnes Crnic, Igor Huskic, and Mateo Menalo.
As the recipients of the 15th Annual Business Excellence Awards were announced, they were awarded with a numbered and signed print, created by the featured artist, Martina Vrbanic, entitled City of Dreams (St. Francis of Assisi in Betina, Island Murter). The original piece is an acrylic and oil composition that combines abstract and realistic styles.
To conclude the formalities of the evening, the keynote speech was delivered by Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili, in which he shared his path to success – from moving to Zagreb after leaving his hometown of Livno, Croatia at a young age, to becoming a leader in the development and production of high-performance electric vehicles, drivetrains, and battery systems.
During his visit to Canada, organized and hosted by the Chamber, Mate Rimac toured the University of Waterloo’s Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCar) in Waterloo, Ontario, as well as McMaster University’s McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) in Hamilton, Ontario. He met with local companies focused on electric vehicles and related technologies, and business professionals on Toronto’s Bay Street to discuss potential opportunities.
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients:
Large Business of the Year
Vujeva Surveyors Ltd.
Small Business of the Year
Adria Travel Service Ltd.
Executive of the Year
Anton Granic
Entrepreneur of the Year
Bozana Skojo, Laser Spa Group
Professional of the Year
Dr. Brian Kelemen, King East Dental
Community Achievement
Nikola Demarin
Community Achievement
Biserka Margaret Butkovic
Friend of the Croatian-Canadian Community
Bob Iarusci
The Chamber gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors:
Event Sponsor
CIBC
Title Sponsors
Baka Gallery Cafe
Bell
MNP LLP
Stikeman Elliot LLP
Award Sponsors
In2ition Realty
JDIMI Consulting/Jones DeLauriers
Printing Sponsor
Merrill Corporation Canada
Student Table Sponsors
Ashley Oaks Homes Inc.
Masters Insurance
OakPark Mortgage Group
Tom Cooney (Assante Wealth Management)
Toronto Port Lands Company
Table Sponsors
Adams & Miles LLP
Akadami Holdings Ltd.
Alpeza General Contracting Inc.
Altech Security Systems
Ashley Oaks Homes Inc.
Basecorp
Carpenters Union Local 27
Coordinate Industries Ltd.
Croatian National Home
Drywall Acoustic Lathing and Insulation Local Union 675
Filmar Electric
Firm Capital Corporation
Global Fire Protection Ltd.
Grguric Architects Incorporated
Hamilton Croatia
I.T. Mission Inc.
JITSU Mfg. Inc..
King East Dental
Laser Spa Group
Lika Sports Inc.
Livno Soccer Club
LMR Power Systems Inc.
Modern Age Plastics Inc.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing
NBM Engineering Inc.
Pocrnic Realty Advisors Inc.
The Krasic Group.
Vujeva Surveyors Ltd.
Winzen Corporation Limited
