Chamber of Commerce business excellence awards moving to Tom Patterson Theatre

The Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce is shaking up its annual Business Excellence Awards this fall with a new venue, format and focus on accessibility.

The 29th annual event takes place Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Tom Patterson Theatre, replacing the traditional dinner at Arden Park. Chamber officials say the change allows more people to attend, with capacity increasing from about 200 to as many as 400 or 500 guests.

“We’re sad to be shifting away from Arden Park, they’re a great venue,” said Chamber general manager Aaron Martin. “But this is an opportunity to streamline things and make it a bit more accessible to people. Generally, we have 200 people in attendance, and we usually have a wait list that matches that as well. So we want to make it so that more people can come, and we are able to do that this year at the Tom Patterson Theatre.”

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception and networking hour at 6 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m.. The event is expected to wrap up between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

Instead of a sit-down dinner, hors d’oeuvres will be served during the reception. Martin said the Chamber hopes the change will encourage guests to enjoy Stratford’s downtown dining scene before the event.

“We want to encourage people to visit one of the many downtown businesses and restaurants before coming to the event,” he said. “We want to promote people to have a nice dinner before the show.”

Ten awards will be presented, including Business of the Year and the Business Leader Award. The Chamber has confirmed that philanthropist and volunteer Marian deWever, who has made a profound impact in Stratford through her philanthropy and volunteerism, will be recognized as the Business Leader Award winner.

The Business Excellence Awards are considered the premier recognition event for the local business community. Past winners have included a range of small businesses, large employers and community organizations, with nominations reflecting the diversity of the Stratford and district economy.

Whether it is recognizing long-standing businesses, celebrating up-and-coming entrepreneurs or highlighting individuals who have made a lasting impact, Martin said the evening is meant to shine a spotlight on the people and organizations who shape the region.

“This is Stratford’s business community at its best,” he said. “It’s about celebrating success, leadership and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our region forward.”

Ticket prices have also been reduced this year. Admission is $100 for Chamber members and $125 for non-members, compared to the usual $150. Tickets are available through the Chamber’s website www.stratfordchamber.com.