The 2017 Business Excellence Awards were this weekend with Play Grounds Cafe taking home the big one: Business of the Year.
“[Jeni] is ecstatic and feels extremely privileged to be a part of this business community,” says Spokesperson Elisha Brown of Owner Jeni Arnott.
The 32nd annual event emphasizes the best and brightest businesses around Prince George.
Play Grounds has only been active since October of 2015, making it all the more impressive the company was able to achieve this honour.
“It wasn’t so much looking at what we can do to set ourselves apart but it was more of a passion project and more of what we feel we need as a member of the community,” Brown explains.
“[Jeni] teaches her staff that every single person who walks through the door is important and special and to make sure they are taken care of, treated well, and a part of the family.”
Play Grounds also earned the Environment Awareness Award.
“This was a dream from the get-go,” explains Brown.
“Things like the environment are very important and it’s more than just reduce, reuse, recycle; but it’s teaching our children to do the same and our connection and impact on each other.”
Other award winners include:
- Business Person of the Year – Tim Bennett (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George
- Prince George Diaper Service – Innovator of the Year
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Eoin Foley (Betulla Burning & Nancy O’s)
- Outstanding Corporate Culture – Canadian Tire
- Tourism and Hospitality – Northern FanCon
- Micro Business of the Year – Frozen Paddle
- Service Excellence Award – MP Makeup Artistry
- Community Impact Award – Prince George Public Library
- Hell Yeah Prince George Ambassador Award – The Little Dillers
Over 215 people attended the award event at the Prince George Playhouse.