20th ACCE Awards Celebrates Entrepreneurial Spirit

Updated: 2016-04-08 22:23

By NA LI in Toronto(China Daily Canada)

Top notch — TORONTO Winners of the 2016 Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE) Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Awards are honored at a gala held on April 2 in Toronto. The awards recognize individuals and companies for their excellence in entrepreneurship in the Chinese-Canadian business community. NA LI / CHINA DAILY

The largest nationwide Chinese-Canadian business association, the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE) held its awards gala at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto on April 2.

"This year marks the landmark 20 anniversary of the ACCE awards," said Irwin Li, president of ACCE and co-chair of the event. "We're moving forward to promote the business relationship by building a bridge between Canada and China."

"It is exciting to note that nineteen years have passed since the ACCE founded these prestigious awards to recognize both individuals and companies for their excellence in entrepreneurship in the Chinese-Canadian business community," said Peter Lawler, co-chairman of this year's event. "Nominations for the 2016 awards were accepted from across Canada."

The event's keynote speech was delivered by Deepak Chopra, president and CEO of Canada Post.

Stanley Kwok, a community builder, urban planner, architect and developer from Vancouver, received the 2016 ACCE Lifetime Achievement Award. In all, eight award winners were honored at the Gala.

Around 1,000 guests were in attendance, including successful entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, government officials, as well as members of associations and professional groups.

As a part of the association's tradition of giving back to community, ACCE presented donation cheques to the Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Fu Hui Education Foundation.

In addition, eight local college and university students received ACCE Scholarships.

ACCE is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1994. Its mission is to encourage entrepreneurship and strengthen the competitiveness of Chinese-Canadian businesses in the global market.