The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2023 winning recipient of the Hamilton Citizen of the Year Award, the inaugural winner of the new Hamilton CEO of the Year Award, as well as the list of business finalists for its Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards (OBAA).

CAROLE MACVICAR – HAMILTON CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The Hamilton Chamber is pleased to announce Carole MacVicar as the 2023 Hamilton Citizen of the Year Award recipient.

Born in Stoney Creek, Carole MacVicar is a lifelong Hamiltonian who has unselfishly devoted her life to others and has invested in our community. Carole’s most notable achievement dates back to 1999 when she gave up her full-time career to create and volunteer herself full-time to the Inner City Outreach Ministry at the Eva Rothwell Centre. Carole, along with her husband, Don, have made a significant, positive contribution to Hamilton’s underserved communities and have helped to fulfill both the physical and spiritual needs of local families.

Carole has been cited as a motivation to those around her and has helped to shape lives and our community in a dedicated and steadfast way.

“In several nominations submitted to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Carole is described as a ‘quiet champion’ and ‘the true picture of Mother Hamilton’,” said Greg Dunnett, President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “Carole’s support, kindness, and leadership to those in the Keith neighbourhood and throughout our community has allowed families to break the cycle of poverty. It is for these reasons and more that she has received the honour of 2023 Hamilton Citizen of the Year.”

PJ MERCANTI – HAMILTON CEO OF THE YEAR

The Hamilton Chamber’s new CEO of the Year Award is awarded to a Hamilton President, CEO or Executive Director that has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past 12 months, bringing their organization to a new level of growth and success within their industry.

The Hamilton Chamber is pleased to announce PJ Mercanti, CEO of Carmen’s Group, as the 2023 CEO of the Year Award recipient.

PJ Mercanti has led Carmen’s Group from a single event venue to a hospitality powerhouse in our community; an organization now comprised of banquet halls, restaurants, and convention centres. When the hospitality industry took a devastating hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, PJ pivoted the company’s strategy in order to mitigate the risk of a slow market. During this time, PJ was cited to bring forward stability and confidence while leading Carmen’s Group through an evaluation of what had to be done to contain costs, reduce operations while at the same time planning for the future and supporting the team.

In the spirit of improving Carmen’s Group performance through collaboration, PJ established an Advisory Council with his leadership team to review and discuss all areas of the business. An output from the Advisory Council was a Pandemic Strategic Plan that will see the company diversify into other complimentary businesses as a protection against any future disruptions to the hospitality industry.

“PJ fosters a work environment founded on collaboration, leadership development, and thoughtful, strategic internal processes,” said Greg Dunnett, President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “It is clear that his leadership is future-focused and that he continues to pursue growth opportunities for our community. For these reasons and more, we are pleased to present PJ with the inaugural Hamilton CEO of the Year Award as a pillar in the hospitality industry and a vibrant leader in our community.”

2023 FINALISTS – OUTSTANDING BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

The Hamilton Chamber’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards are an annual celebration of local business excellence and growth. In addition to the Citizen of the Year and new CEO of the Year awards, there are 7 additional categories of business awards up for grabs.

OBAA nominees are ranked on criteria including entrepreneurship and innovation, employee relations, promotion of Hamilton outside the area, excellence in community relations, and evidence of alignment with their mission statement.

“Congratulations to each of the businesses that have been selected as finalists for this year’s Outstanding Business Achievement Awards,” said Greg Dunnett, President & CEO of the Hamilton Chamber. “These businesses embody the entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and dedication that drive our local economy forward. We are honoured to shine a spotlight on their achievements and recognize the impact they have on our local economy.”

The awards of each category will be handed out at an in-person gala on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm at Carmen’s Banquet Centre. Tickets are now available and can be purchased on the Chamber’s website.

The Nominees for the 2023 OBAAs are:

Large Business: Profit-centred private business organization with 50+ employees

• CORE Entertainment
• Oakridge Landscape Contractors Ltd.

Mid-Sized Business: Profit-centred private business organization with 10-50 employees

• Acorn Counselling
• Gala Bakery
• Guest Plumbing & HVAC

Small Business: Profit-centred private business organization with 1-10 employees

• Birmingham Consulting
• Electric Diner
• Love My Mat Yoga Inc.

Not-For-Profit Organization:

• Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice
• Good Shepherd Centres Hamilton
• Shalem Mental Health Network

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA): Supporting the creation of inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplaces

• Union of Painters and Allied Trades

YEP: Entrepreneur Under 40

• Vanessa Green (Greenlight Content)
• Dr. Spencer Stevenson (Stevenson Health and Wellness)
• Ryan Moran (Locke & King / And Then What Inc.)

Century: Celebrating 100+ Years in Business [*no contest in this category, both winning recipients*]

• Sun Life
• Canada Life

2023 JUDGING COMMITTEE

This year’s nominees were critiqued and evaluated by a local and diverse set of business experts, ranging from private and public sector, including representation from large and small business.

• Katie Cyr, Owner of Monarch Tea Co & former OBAA YEP Winner
• Mike Ecclestone, Partner of Kitestring & Hamilton Chamber Board Member
• Ashleigh Montague, Co-Founder of BLK OWNED HamOnt
• Norm Schleehahn, Director of Economic Development for the City of Hamilton
• Charlene Smoke, Relationship Manager, Commercials Financial Services at RBC Royal Bank
  

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