News & Press Releases

John Sleeman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

May 3, 2023

Guelph, May 3, 2023:  On June 15th, the Guelph Chamber of Commerce will welcome business and community leaders to celebrate the achievements of outstanding local businesses, organizations, and individuals at the 2023 Guelph Awards of Excellence. John Sleeman, Founder & CEO of Sleeman Breweries and Spring Mill Distillery will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Linamar at the event.

“John’s leadership and business acumen has made a monumental difference in Guelph and he exemplifies what the Lifetime Achievement award represents,” says Shakiba Shayani, President & CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. “With Sleeman Breweries celebrating 35 years in business this year, it is the perfect time to recognize and celebrate his decades of hard work, dedication, and community impact.”

In addition to awarding the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Guelph Chamber will present awards in several other categories as part of the 2023 Chamber Business Awards. This includes the inaugural Frank Hasenfratz Award of Excellence.

 

The finalists for the 2023 Chamber Business Awards include:

 

Not-for-Profit of the Year Award, Presented by Bell:

  • Compass Community Services
  • Circle Home Furniture Bank
  • Hopewell Children’s Homes

 

Emerging Business Award, Presented by City of Guelph, Economic Development:

  • Roots Marketing
  • Royal City Science Centre
  • Lost Aviator Coffee Company

 

Innovation Award, Presented by TD Commercial Bank:

  • Experior Financial Group Inc.
  • Crafty Ramen
  • RLB Digital

 

Customer Service Award, Presented by CN Rail:

  • J.L. Richards & Associates Limited
  • ArtMed
  • Macho Movers

 

Sustainability Award, Presented by RBC Royal Bank:

  • 10C Shared Space
  • Skyline Group of Companies
  • Dillon Consulting Limited
  • Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington

 

Difference Maker Award:

  • Food4Kids
  • The Dragon
  • Guelph Hiking Trail Club

 

Young Professional of the Year Award:

  • Amanda Kavchak
  • Kim Passmore
  • Mahdis Samimi-Berch

 

Volunteer of the Year Award:

  • Karen Bilton
  • Elizabeth Bowden
  • Rose Zen-Soligo & Jim Jarrell

 

Frank Hasenfratz Award of Excellence, Presented by Conestoga College:

  • Court Desautels
  • Kristy Miller
  • Suzanna Geerlinks

 

“Each of these finalists exemplify business excellence and play an important role in the social and economic prosperity of the Guelph community,” added Shayani.

This year’s Guelph Awards of Excellence will take place on June 15th at the Grand Guelph Banquet & Event Centre. For more information or to purchase tickets, please click here.

 

For more information please contact Shakiba Shayani, President & CEO at shakiba@guelphchamber.com