By Pepper Parr
October 22nd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
We did a very short piece on the Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Entrepreneur Award dinner that took place on Thursday.
There was too much election material to get published.
Jeff Paikin greeting those who came to witness his being names the Distinguished Entrepreneur for 2021
The event was the first that people from the construction/development community could take part – there was room for 525 people and they squeezed in 531, people were actually turned away.
These events can at times be very very dry and drawn out. This one was different. First the place was packed and people were in a good mood.
They were there to witness the awards being given to Jeff Paikin as the 2021 recipient and Conrad Zurini as the 2022 recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Entrepreneur Award.
Steve Paikin being prepped for his part of the evening
Steve Paikin, Jeff’s brother was the MC and Ian Hanamansing, of CBC National News fame did some of the introducing. He and Jeff both attended Mount Allison University in New Brunswick at the same time.
CBS’s Ian Hanamansing enjoying a selfie moment with a Chamber of Commerce staffer
The Chamber took an idea from the Gogeco people and set the award winners up in comfortable wing back chairs where they answered question and spoke about the way they saw the industry they were involved in and deeply committed to.
It was interesting to see developers talk about the way they see what they do.
During the past week the Gazette has had a reporter out on the street asking people what they felt were the important issues.
More than 80% said – over development.
Conrad Zurini’s mother; proud of a son that has been an entrepreneur since the age of 12
Jeff Paikin said in his comments they his company was building homes for people and at the same time creating community where children would be raised.
Conrad Surini is in the business of selling those homes to people. In his remarks he made it clear that he fully understood the challenges people face in today’s market and what the economists and bankers suggest we are going to be in for some time
Natasha Piroutz; Strategic Communications and Engagement Manager, Burlington Chamber of Commerce
The developers are the risk takers; they buy the land, pay the mortgages while they wait for the right time to start digging holes and putting in basements and garages.
It wasn’t all speeches. Marnie and Larry Paikin who have been patrons of the Canadian Brass and were able to convince them to do a live performance.
It was an opportunity for the woman to wear their best. Natasha Piroutz, Chamber of Commerce, was on hand to make sure that the schedule set out was adhered to as much as possible for events like this.
Ron Foxcroft who was introducing Conrad Zurini had said he wanted people to be in their cars no later than 9:00 pm – and for the most part that is the way the evening ended.
This is what a SOLD OUT event looks like.
