It was a "Red Carpet" evening of cocktails, dinner, awards and recognition, at The Club at Bond Head on May 21 - when the Bradford Board of Trade celebrated its 1st anniversary, and the achievements of its members, with a Business Excellence Awards Gala night.

Businesses were nominated by customers and clientele in a total of 13 categories; as emcee Jody Mott emphasized, just to be nominated for a Business Excellence Award is an honour. "Everyone is truly a winner in our eyes."

New Community Development (Business Leader) Award, sponsored by South Simcoe Police Service: Wal-Mart Supercentre.

Established Community Devel-opment (Business Leader) Award, sponsored by The Mortgage Centre - M & M Meat Shops. Runner-up - Pet Valu.

Community Leader Award, sponsored by Great Gulf Homes - Martha Marton, Tupling Insur.

Social & Ecological Respon-sibility Award, sponsored by Zodiac Developments Inc. - Winner was Cathy's Crawly Composters; runner-up Dingo Farms.

Quality Awards - Micro Business (1-9 employees), sponsored by Tina Sibbald and Tracey Harrington, Royal LePage - nominees were Gino's Panini, Lloyd's Furniture, Doc's Towing, Water Depot, Pet Valu, Switch European Auto, James McNeill - Mortgage Centre, China Garden, Vicky Zanatta - Zwoman Graphics, Decorator's Edge, Holland River Flooring. Winner - James McNeill, The Mortgage Centre.

Small Business (10-24 employees), sponsored by Bradford Jewellery & Gems. Nominees were Tupling Insurance, Bank of Montreal and Bradford Rental Sales & Service. Winner - Bradford Rental.

Medium Business (25-74 em-ployees), sponsored by The Ford Group. Nominees were Vins Plastics and Canadian Tire. Winner - Canadian Tire.

Large Business (75 employees-plus), sponsored by DM Printing. Winner - Spectra Aluminum.

Home Based Business Excellence, sponsor SNAP South Simcoe. Nominees were New Wave Beauty - Adriana McNeill Salinas, ZWoman Graphics - Vicky Zanatta, Noah's Ark Animal Workshop - Carol-Anne Haxton, Jody Mott - In Your Hands Business Services. Winner: New Wave Beauty, Adriana McNeill Salinas.

Best New Business Venture, sponsored by the BWG Economic Development Office. Nominees - The Pink Closet, Akita Sushi, Healthy By Choice, Lusitano Restaurant, U at Home, Catherine's Gifts & Games, Faris Farms, Holland Marsh Growers' Association. Winner: Healthy By Choice.

Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Vivian Risi, Royal LePage. Nominees - Plaza Bakery Cafe, Upper Canada Ice Cream, DMS-Mark Spencer, U at Home, Kazooga.com. Winner - DMS, Mark Spencer.

2009 Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Body In Balance. Nominees - Scotiabank, Giuseppe Strazzeri - The Mortgage Centre, Bradford Jewellery & Gems, La MexiCanada Restaurant, Upper Canada Ice Cream, James McNeill - The Mortgage Centre, Alex Makarenko - Gro-Pak, C.W. Coops Wings, Ribs & Things, Durabody Industries, Bye Bye Birdie Goose Control, F.K. Textiles. Hon. Mention - F.K. Textiles. Winner - Gro-Pak.

Customer Service Excellence, sponsored by TD Canada Trust. Nominees - New Wave Beauty, Body in Balance, Fellini Fine Wines, Big Momma's Soul Food, The Pink Closet, Giuseppe Strazzeri - The Mortgage Centre, Nancy's Nifty Nook, Dissette Animal Hospital, White Oak Cleaners, Dutch Treats, VideoQuest, Gary's Auto Service. Hon. Mention - Giuseppe Strazzeri,The Mortgage Centre. Winner - Dutch Treats.

Assisting with the presentation was MP for York-Simcoe and Minister of Public Safety, the Hon. Peter Van Loan. "Although we're facing enormous economic challenges... Canada is doing better than most of the world, and York-Simcoe is doing better than some areas of Ontario," Van Loan said, congratulating all of the nominees. "Businesses in this community are part of this community," going beyond simply providing employment and services, to become involved in community events and activities. "It's a place where they have a stake, and a sense of ownership."

Mayor Doug White said that the "real winners" of the evening were "the people who live in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury," who are served by these outstanding businesses.

The Bradford Board of Trade also presented two awards to members of its executive - the President's Choice Award, to Vicky Zanatta of ZWoman Graphics & Photography, and Member of the Year, to Jody Mott.