SHIFT creates award to honour young businesspersons

Thunder Bay’s young professionals networking group has created an awards night to recognize the contributions of young businesspersons.

SHIFT and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce announced the Northwestern Ontario Visionary Awards at a media conference Wednesday. The ceremony, set to take place on Jan. 21 at Fort William Historical Park, will award the top 20 candidates under 40 years old who show strong leadership and commitment in their community.

The nominations are open to the entire Northwest region from Manitouwadge to Kenora.
Nathan Lawrence, president of SHIFT, said there wasn’t an award for young professionals in Northwestern Ontario so they decided to host an event with the city’s Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Ontario Associated of Chamber of Commerce.

He said the award will go to people who’ve given back to the community and shown leadership in the workplace.

“We’re looking at the young professionals in our region and up until now there hasn’t been an award program or an evening that really focuses on the contributions that young professionals are making,” Lawrence said.

“There’s a lot of opportunities in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario and if you are prepared to go out and find it and get involved then there is a lot of opportunity there to take advantage of.”

He said he hopes the awards would help to make young professionals take a more active role in the community. 

Only a handful of the awards will go to those candidates in Thunder Bay while others will be reserved for nominees from the region, he said.

Michael Nitz, chair of the board for the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, said they have been an active partner with SHIFT for the last couple of years and the awards event was a perfect fit.

“The perception out there is that there’s not a lot of youth talent in Northwestern Ontario,” Nitz said. “We’re seeing a lot of youth coming back to Thunder Bay for their jobs and lifestyle. We want to celebrate that fact.”

Entrees are open to the public and private sectors. Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 15. Once nominated, nominees will have until Nov. 30 to return completed nomination forms.  

Entries can be submitted by email at [email protected]