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You’re probably all too busy working too hard as business owners or as leaders in your companies to see yourselves for who you really are.
You are inspirational.
The example you set every day for your families, your friends, your colleagues, and your fellow members of the Prince George business community is noticed and appreciated.
I, along with the three amazing Chamber staff members, are privileged to witness it every day as we work on your behalf.
You soldier on, despite all of the negativity, the too few wins and too many setbacks, the difficulties finding and keeping good employees, and the obstacles and moving goal posts that governments drop on you.
If what you do was easy, everybody would do it.
You are a special breed of people that thrive on adversity. It’s more than just a job and a paycheque.
You care about more than just improving your bottom line and making your businesses and your organizations successful. You recognize that your personal success is shallow and short-lived without the success of everyone around you, extending out into the city and the region.
The drive for excellence is contagious and we should be all proud and grateful when it is recognized by others.
Here are two specific examples.
The Western Hockey League has named the Prince George Cougars as the BC Division nominee for the league business award. Along with the individual and team accomplishments earned so far this season, including a berth in the Western Conference semi-final starting Friday, April 12, the Cougars are being recognized for leading the league in increased attendance (up 29 per cent this season over last), while season ticket sales are up 43 per cent over last year and now exceed pre-COVID levels.
In other words, excellence and success run throughout the Cougars organization, both on and off the ice.
Meanwhile, Wescana Electric was recognized with a 2024 Leadership Award during the seventh annual BC Construction Month Honours.
This follows two Builders Code Champion Awards the company received in 2019 and 2021. Wescana Electric was also provincially honoured in 2020 for its work on culture change.
These two local companies aren’t doing this work for the accolades (although it’s nice to be recognized and they are most deserving). Rather, they do it because it’s good for business, good for their employees, good for their industry, and good for the community.
Congratulations to Wescana Electric and the Prince George Cougars but also thank you for everything you do for this city and its residents.
The staff, management, and owners of these two companies reflect those inspirational qualities that I see throughout Prince George’s business community.
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