Sault Ste. Marie, September 9, 2004: Today at the Best Western Great Northern, Sault Ste. Marie’s Mayor John Rowswell and representatives of the Northern Ontario Business Awards (NOBA) announced plans for the 2004 Awards Gala to be held in Sault Ste. Marie on October 7th.

NOBA is an initiative designed to celebrate and activate successful business throughout Northern Ontario by hosting an annual Awards Gala. It exists to bring the northern business community together to be inspired by the success stories of its award winners.

John Rowswell, Mayor, City of Sault Ste. Marie “We are very proud to host this important event in our city, which celebrates the exceptional achievements of entrepreneurship and business in Northern Ontario. As Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, I am grateful to Northern Ontario Business for establishing these awards and continuing to recognize the importance of creating opportunities for the development of business in the North. It is wonderful to see business from public and private sectors being recognized and awarded for their achievements that are so significant in building our economy and society.”

“It’s great to be back in Sault Ste. Marie,” says Patricia Mills, NOB’s Publisher. “We’ve always enjoyed a warm and enthusiastic welcome in your great city and we’re certain this year will be no exception.”

“We are also convinced that upon hearing the incredible accomplishments of this year’s winners, that delegates will leave the Gala celebration convinced that anything is possible in Northern Ontario.” Mills adds, “Since 1987, an impressive group of 139 companies and individuals have been honoured at NOBA’s gala dinner. The program welcomes nominations from all over Northern Ontario for these prestigious awards.”

Each year an independent judging panel is recruited to select the winners. “Panel members are chosen for their business expertise,” explains Mills. “The group must also be geographically representative of the North.”
The 2004 judges are:

a) Bonnie Foster
Bonnie Foster is a partner with Ross, Pope & Company, Chartered Accountants, in Timmins. A past president of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, she has a considerable history of volunteerism with a variety of not-for-profit organizations, including economic development in Northern Ontario. Ross, Pope & Company were recognized by NOBA in 2001.

b) Tom Palangio
Tom C. Palangio, is an explosive application specialist, managing director of Topex Inc. and is also vice-president of WipWare Photoanalysis Systems. He has won various awards and recognition for innovation and business including the 2003 Northern Ontario Business Award for Entrepreneur of the Year and the 2003 Global Traders Award “Northern Ontario Leadership Award”.

c) Richard Rosset
Richard Rosset and his twin brother purchased the family business, Savoy's Jewellers, in 1990. He was the recipient of the “President's Award to Business” for the outstanding contribution to the Arts Council of Sault Ste. Marie in 1998 and the Chamber of Commerce “Skipper Manzutti Award” in 2002 for contributions and involvement in the community. Savoy`s Jeweler’s won the NOBA Company of the Year, (1-15 employees) in 1994.

d) Darren Jewell
Darren Jewell is the owner of Jewell Contracting in Thunder Bay. There he established his company in 1999 with the purchase of a dump truck. For the past two years, he has been a guest speaker for Aboriginal Business Canada.

Union Gas Essay Scholarship Judges

a) Lyne Gagnon Ruscio
Lyne is currently working with the Ministry of Natural Resources as a senior communications advisor. She is an active member of the Sault Area Hospital board of directors, chamber of commerce public affairs committee and school council, among others.

b) Roseline Dubreuil
Roseline is currently chair of the Board of Referees and works at the Loon's Nest, a specialty store on Queen Street. Roseline was a trustee on the Separate School Board for six years, she sat on the French and English Board and was also on the Board of Appeal for the H.R.D.C. office in Sault Ste-Marie.

“Judging is never an easy task,” Mills says. “We would like to extend a special thank you to this year’s judging panel, for their professionalism and commitment to the process.”

NOBA’s 18 years of success can be attributed to “the quality of our nominees, the spirit and synergy that exudes from the room when Northerners gather to celebrate each year, and the incredible support of our sponsors,” says Carol Deguire, Director of Executive Programs at NOB. Deguire is currently working on this year’s sponsorship drive. The following companies and organizations have confirmed participation for 2004:

Major Corporate Sponsors –Northern Ontario Business and MCTV

Special Recognition – Best Western Great Northern

Award Sponsors– Bell, BDO Dunwoody, Brascan Power Corporation, CIBC, Ontario Power Generation, Tembec, Tenaris Algoma Tubes and Union Gas

Membership Sponsor – PLM Group

Corporate Sponsors- Bearskin Airlines, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Wasaya Airways LP

Mayor’s Luncheon – City of Sault Ste. Marie

Pin Sponsor – Eazy Express

Wine Sponsor – Lock City Dairies

VIP Reception Sponsor – Union Gas

Pre-Banquet Reception Sponsors – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and Casino Sault Ste. Marie

Table Placard Sponsor – Team Northern Ontario

Patron Sponsors – Algoma University College, BMO Bank of Montreal

Donation Sponsor – Cutsey Business Systems Ltd –Ltée

This year’s festivities will begin with the Gala Dinner Registration at 5:30 pm on the evening of October 7th, at the Best Western Great Northern followed by the Pre-Banquet Reception at 6:00 pm. The event wraps-up with the gala dinner and awards presentation at 7:00 p.m. followed by a post-banquet reception at 9:30.

Be a part of recognizing the achievements of successful business heroes across Northern Ontario! Individual tickets are available at $150 + GST and Corporate Tables (10) which include table signage are $1350 + GST.