Canadian Croatian Outstanding Business Achievement Awards Gala 2003

On February 22, 2003, the Croatian business community of southern Ontario gathered in the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Burlington to honour their own. Undeterred by the snowstorm that threatened to derail the event, business community members and their spouses arrived dressed in their finest, ready for a night of ceremony, food and entertainment.

Awards recognized both business achievement and those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Croatian community as a whole. The Hon. Allan Rock, Minister for Industry, and Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, presented the awards to the winners. The prize was a limited edition print by local Croatian artist Nada Sesar-Raffay—a Chamber exclusive.

Recipients and some Chamber board members gather for a photo; in front row, left to right: Kresimir Mayer, Mirjana Salkovic, Mrs. Hadjur, Sandra Bezic; back row: Mike Yelavich, John Marion, Robert Herjavec, Steve Zganjer, Ciril Zovko, John Zdunic, MP Janko Peric, Janko Herak, Lovro Gotovac, Stanko Trtanj, John Sola, Steve Alosinac, Ed Mavrinac

After the ceremony and dinner, guests put on their dancing shoes to the entertainment of popular Croatian singer Goran Karan, mingling with friends and colleagues and dancing the night away.

By all accounts, the 1st year of this annual event was a success, with Chamber Board members receiving inquiries before the night was through about the particulars of next year’s event!

The following are the recipients for 2003:

Honorary Awards

Business Achievement Awards