Toronto, Saturday April 9, 2005 – This evening, the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (“ACCE”), in association with Centennial College - Centre of Entrepreneurship, The Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ming Pao Daily News, honoured outstanding Chinese Canadian entrepreneurs from across Ontario in seven categories. The co-chairs of this year's event are Ms. Catherine Swift, President, CEO and Chair of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Mr. Fred Lai, President of ACCE and Mr. Phil Smith of Centennial College - Centre of Entrepreneurship.
The purpose of this Award Presentation is:
To promote entrepreneurship in the Chinese Canadian Community
To recognize the contribution of Chinese Canadian entrepreneurs
To encourage new business start up
To promote social responsibility in entrepreneurs
The Awards given are as follows:
Best Start-Up Award, sponsored by – Mintz & Partners LLP
Most Innovative Award, sponsored by – IBM Canada Ltd.
Most Progressive Award, sponsored by – Moneris Solutions
Best Community Service Award, sponsored by – Ming Pao Daily News
Award of Merit, sponsored by – Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Best International Business Award, sponsored by – Export Development Canada
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by – Bank of Nova Scotia
The program also features a keynote speech by Mr. Peter Allen, Senior Vice president and Chief Financial Officer Export Development Canada.
“Our Association actively promotes social responsibility to entrepreneurs. We are proud that some of our past Award winners have made exceptional contributions to the community and have made Canada a better place to live.” said Fred Lai, President of ACCE.
Eligible nominees must be of Chinese origin, playing a major role in the management of business operations, registered in Ontario with an operating office in the province, and not be subject of any legal investigation.
The ACCE's mission is to encourage entrepreneurship and to strengthen competitiveness of Chinese Canadian business in the global market. We assist Chinese Canadians in developing new businesses by sharing their expertise through quality training and mutual support, and to provide a network for members to share resources, organize seminars, workshops, conferences and special programs on relevant business topics. The ACCE also assists in facilitating communication between government officials and new businesses.
Among the 700 plus guests attending the presentation gala was Mr. Don Cousens, Mayor of Markham; Mme. Xiaoling Chen, Consul General of The People's Republic of China in Toronto; Mr. Tony Wong, MPP and Mr. Bassanio So, Director of Hong Kong Economics and Trade Office.
The “2005 Business Forum for Entrepreneurs Passion for Success—Learning from the Achievers” will be held at the Council Chamber of North York Civic Centre on Sunday, May 15, 2005 in association with Centennial College, Centre for Information & Community Services, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, SEAS, Chinese Professionals Association of Canada ; and Toronto Chinese Community Services Association. “Tonight's entrepreneur awards winners will be invited to attend the forum and to share their entrepreneur experience in order to encourage entrepreneurship in Canada”, said Mr. Fred Lai, President of ACCE.
For more information, please call our Media Officer, Mr. Dawin Kong at (905) 479-2802, or e-mail to awards@acce.ca . |