MCOC to honour ‘resilient’ Manchester businesses
Simone Spence-Johnson, president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce (MCOC) , has hailed the resilience of businesses in the town in the last two years since the tumultuous period of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are about two years shy post-COVID and I would dare to say we are almost back to where we were before 2020. There are some businesses that did not survive, as they were too young and the industry took a big hit. There are others that weathered the storm well, and some that thrived,” Spence-Johnson said.
“There has been a boom in the shipping industry, I would say mostly in part due to the travel restrictions that were imposed. Delivery companies also emerged and are doing well, and technology companies that were formed preor post-COVID are also doing very well,” she added.
On Saturday, February 10, the MCOC will honour some of these businesses for their philanthropic efforts. The event will be held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville.
The event, which is the flagship event for the Chamber, is geared towards showcasing the businesses in the parish of Manchester and their contributions to economic growth, employment and development. The categories of awards include the Visionary, Environmental, Family Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Education, Customer Service, Community Impact, Business of the Year, Financial Service, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
LIFELINE OF ECONOMY
The business will be nominated for each category and the winner will be announced on the night of the event. Category winners will each receive a certificate and crystal award.
“There have been many changes that have taken place in the parish over the last year. This is a celebration of sorts, and to give the businesses a great start to the year. Manchester is poised for growth and we invite those with innovative ideas to come on down. We need you in our space. There will be a special awardee of the night,” Spence-Johnson said.
Marcus Richards, managing director, H&L Rapid True Value, and Gordon Webster, general manager, Channels and Technology, are the guest speakers on the theme: ‘Innovation-A Road Map To Success’.
Spence-Johnson said the MCOC Awards Banquet was formed out of the idea that “encouragement and appreciation sweetens labour”.
“It is extremely important to recognise businesses for all that they do to contribute to the development of the parish. The working class is the lifeline of any economy. If businesses do not operate, employ, train and teach, the delicate balance of the society tilts. We have to encourage the businesses to push through hard times, innovate and strive, despite what is happening globally. Recognition is what keeps them going,” Spence-Johnson said.
Sponsors include Golf View Hotel, H&L Rapid True Value, South China Construction and Engineering Limited, NCU Media Group, Pioneer Chocolate Company Limited, MickWade Security Services Limited, 876Get, Blue Ember Group, Christopher Grant and Associates, Sutherland, and others.
Part proceeds from the awards banquet will go to the Ebenezer Rehabilitation Centre.