The recipients of the 2018 Business Achievement Awards held last evening at the Manitoba Room, inside the Keystone Centre. Business Person of the Year Award - David and Ron Cumming Community Service Award - Jeff Fawcett Business Excellence Award - Brockie Donovan Ltd. Outstanding New Business Award - The Sneath Group of Companies

Toronto, ON – March 8, 2018 – Genesis Hospitality Management was recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation. The 2018 Best Managed program award winners are amongst the best-in-class of Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million demonstrating strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth. Now in its 25th year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices. Genesis Hospitality Management continues to expand their portfolio into the Western Canada region and now offer Property Management Services. The company's culture, value and mission are to provide their clients and employees with high quality standards in their rooms and food & beverage divisions while providing a fair return on investment for their owners with well trained and motivated employees. Their history of success allows them to consistently deliver operational results, revenue maximization and above industry average returns while maintaining customer guest satisfaction scores. “Best Managed Platinum winners have exceptional insights and knowledge into business management practices. They are an inspiration and really take their game to a new level,” said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte and Co-Leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program Applicants are evaluated by an independent judging panel comprised of representatives from program sponsors in addition to special guest judges. 2018 Best Managed companies share commonalities that include a clear strategy and vision, investment in capability and commitment to talent. "We are proud and honoured of our achievement as a member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. This is a prestigious award and we are thrilled to display and showcase it at each of our properties with pride." said Kevin Swark, Executive President, Genesis Hospitality Management “Being amongst the best in class requires more than financial performance,” said Lorrie King, Partner, Deloitte and Co-Leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. “Achieving sustained growth and strong overall business performance is the result of the combined efforts and commitment of the entire organization.” 2018 winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award will be honoured at the annual Canada’s Best Managed Companies gala in Toronto on April 11, 2018. On the same date, the Best Managed symposium will address leading-edge business issues that are key to the success of today’s business leaders. The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums. About Canada’s Best Managed Companies Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Canada’s Best Managed Companies new winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Canada’s Best Managed Companies winner (award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (after three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for 4-6 consecutive years); 4) Platinum Club member (winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca. About Genesis Hospitality Management Founded and based in Brandon, Manitoba, Genesis Hospitality Management is a privately owned company that owns and operates hotels across Western Canada. Their executive team has years of experience in directing and overseeing the operation of hotels ranging from full service hotels, limited service properties and conference centres and are experienced in operating franchised and independent properties. Their team offers a full complement of management services to provide maximum support and achieve revenue growth.

Astoria Pizza and Pasta, a long standing favorite among College and University students in Brandon, and one of the city's most popular family restaurants, is set to reopen with the same old country family recipes and guiding principles, GM and Owner Toula Paras-Tarr tells bdnmb.ca.  Astoria Pizza and Pasta will be located at 1630 Park Ave, which in the past has been the home to both Gulliver's Grill and Blu. Toula is the daughter of Steve & Barb Paras.  Her parents, now since retired, will serve as consultants on the new project.  Toula wants to ensure that the food they put out each day is "exactly the same as it was when the restaurant was located at the corner of 26th and Victoria Ave". To this day people tell Toula that they still crave Astoria's signature pizza "The Astoria Royal", a pizza loaded with tomato sauce, mushrooms, salami,  cheese, ham, pepperoni, bacon, green peppers and onions. Hoping for an April 1 launch,  Toula said that for the first month of operation they will only be offering/selling pizza.  During this initial phase the pizza be made available exclusively via delivery (717-5555).  In the weeks that follow they intend to slowly introduce more of the popular menu items from the original Astoria menu like the handcrafted pastas, subs and salads. According to Toula, they would like to have the dining room open to the public within 2-2.5 months of the initial launch, at which point they will be hosting a job fair to help staff the licensed (beer & wine) dining room. Additional future business plans call for the restaurant to start integrating in several menu items from the Gulliver's Grill menu.  While Gulliver's had a rather extensive menu selection, Toula said they will look to carry some of the most popular, and requested, menu items from that menu like the signature soups, desserts, and mains. Toula, who started as a dishwasher in the family restaurant at age 12, is extremely excited and passionate about the opportunity and she invites all former Astoria patrons to come check out the new dining room once open.

Nickel Electric has been part of the Brandon business community since 1974. As new owners have taken over the company, the goal is to continue to build on the great reputation that they’ve had for more than four decades. “Nickel Electric started out with just three employees. The company has grown and its reputation has been built on providing great customer service and quality electrical work,” says Shannon McLean-Geletchuk, Owner/Office Administration. “We plan to continue down that path as we all pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and we wish Len all the best in his retirement.” Shannon and her husband Darren Geletchuk bought into the company in 2015 and more recently Justin and Alanna Hermary, as well as Ken Mott and Lisa Rowley, joined in as partners. Darren, Justin, and Ken are all experienced Red Seal Journeymen Electricians. As a COR certified company, Nickel Electric provides full-service electrical contracting for residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial projects throughout the Westman region. During the peak construction season, they will employ as many as 20 people. In addition, they’ve been watching the trends and interest in solar energy in Manitoba and will offer services in that as well. And, as a company, they themselves are taking advantage of the benefits. “Once all the snow is gone, we will be installing solar panels on the roof of our building to offset the electrical costs in the shop and the office. It’s something we believe in, plus this will allow us to use our own panels as a display model,” said Shannon. “With electricity rates going up, more and more people are looking into solar power to offset costs. When spring comes, we’ll hit the ground running and will be ready to start installations for our clients as well.”

Frank and Gerri Iwasiuk felt it was time to diversify their menu at Twisters, as they looked to transition away from a seasonal business to a year-round operation. In order to facilitate opening year-round some renovations first had to be completed including the addition of bathrooms. Some new menu additions for 2018 will include a mini donut sundae, popcorn and take out foods like smokies and hot-dogs.  In September they will add soups, chilli, and wraps to enable them to stay open year-round. Twisters has been in existence for 11 years and this will be year 2 year of ownership for Gerri and Frank.  Check out their official Facebook page for updates as to when they will open in 2018.