The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has named Conestoga as the 2023 Business of the Year (over 50 employees) at its annual Business Excellence Awards Gala held at Bingemans on March 23.
The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce named Conestoga the 2023 Business of the Year at its annual Business Excellence Awards Gala on March 23.
The award, sponsored by the University of Waterloo, is awarded to an outstanding business or organization that demonstrates the following criteria:
- Innovative and proactive leadership within their business or industry
- Measurable success as a business and/or as an employer
- Good corporate citizenship
- Exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment.
Conestoga was among 12 nominees for the award.
“We are tremendously honoured to be recognized by the Greater KW Chamber with this award,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits. “Conestoga has come a long way over the years and we’re very proud to be part of this community.”
In accepting the award, President Tibbits highlighted Conestoga’s commitment to regional growth and prosperity: “We’ve built up a business that brings about $400 million into the local economy, supports industry with full-time and part-time workers and helps fuel Canada’s immigration strategy as we work to deliver accessible programming that helps everyone to become the best they can be.”
Conestoga works in close partnership with employers and industry leaders to develop and deliver programming that meets changing workforce needs and expectations. More than 1,000 industry and community leaders serve on the college’s Program Advisory Committees, providing input to support the development of graduates with the skills and aptitude to meet employer needs.
Established in 1967 and based in Kitchener, the college has experienced exponential growth in recent years and now provides education and training for more than 50,000 full and part-time learners each year through a growing network of campuses across southwestern Ontario.
The college's diverse student body now includes more than 16,000 international students drawn from more than 85 countries around the world. Many of Conestoga’s international students hope to make Canada their permanent home after completing their studies, using their skills and knowledge to support our local businesses and communities.
Conestoga has produced more than 170,000 graduates, who add more than $3.4 billion to Ontario’s economy each year. Graduates of the college own more than 5,200 of Ontario’s businesses. In the local community, more than 3,500 businesses are owned by Conestoga alumni.
The college’s staff complement has increased by more than 30 per cent since 2018 to support college growth, and now includes more than 1,550 full-time employees.
For more information on the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the 2023 Business Excellence Awards, visit the Chamber website.