January 15, 2016
Ottawa Chapter’s second annual Supplier Awards of Distinction Gala and Casino Night will include new member awards categories for the 2016 edition.

This ticketed event will be held on Feb. 9, the night before GreenTrade Expo, at the EY Center in Ottawa. It’s the same venue as the trade show.

Last year’s Gala was a sellout, with over 130 people in attendance. “We were thrilled with the response for last year’s Gala,” said Bruce Morton, Show Chair of GreenTrade Expo. “We had room for 130 and had to turn people away, so this year we’ve doubled the hall size, and anticipate great response to the new Member Awards that we will be presenting.”

The new Member Awards will honour two long-time Ottawa Chapter members. The Jim Bauer Legacy Award will recognize eligible companies which have been in business for a minimum of 20 years, and been a member in good standing of LO for at least 10 years.

The Joan Johnston LO Community Involvement Award will recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to furthering the LO vision by volunteering in green industry events, or community initiatives. Nominated members or member firms that meet the criteria will be presented awards at the Gala.  

Designed to foster, recognize, and inspire excellence among local Ottawa Chapter members, the annual awards, modeled after the LO Awards of Excellence, will stir competitive spirit and stimulate improvement, advancement and achievement in the local industry.

These awards recognize excellence in associate members. All industry customers are invited to visit the GreenTrade Expo (GTE) website at greentrade.ca, and nominate their favourite 2015 season suppliers in four company categories and one individual award. They include Best Plant Materials Supplier, Best Hardscape Materials Supplier, Best Landscape Equipment and Accessory Supplier, Best Supplier to the Landscape Trades (any service or supplies used by an industry business, but not used directly in the landscape build) and finally, the individual Best Salesperson of the Year for 2015. The competition is open to all associate members across the province who sell in the Ottawa market.

Nominations closed on Jan. 8, 2016, after which time industry people may visit the GTE website and vote for their favourites. The nominees receiving the most votes will be presented with awards, and bragging rights for the year. The Gala will be followed by a ticketed, Vegas-style casino night.

“This is our Chapter’s chance to publicly acknowledge the outstanding service we get from the associate member companies that support our industry. It also creates another opportunity for our exhibitors to spend more time building relationships with their customers. What better way than a party the night before the show?” asked Morton.   

For more information on the Ottawa Awards of Distinction, sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase tickets for the event, contact Martha Walsh, manager of GreenTrade Expo 2016, at marthawalsh@greentrade.ca, or toll free at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2368, or 613-796-5156.