RE: John Smylie Honoured at Chamber President’s Dinner
Quinte West, ON: The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 2016 President’s Dinner and AGM on Thursday, March 31 at Occasions by the Bay in Bayside. This is a special night in Quinte West where the business community comes together to recognise the accomplishments of its Chamber, the success of its business community and to pay their respects to this year’s Honourary Life Time Membership recipient John Smylie.
“It is our honour this year to recognize businessman John Smylie with a Honourary Lifetime Membership,” says Quinte West Chamber president Cindy Dow. “Since coming to Quinte West 12 years ago he has made an indelible impact on our community through his leadership, his volunteerism and his ongoing support for community events and organizations especially the Canadian Military and our local hospital.”
John Smylie has demonstrated tremendous commitment to the well-being of the community in which he lives and does business. John has become personally involved at the Executive level in such organizations as the Rotary Club of Trenton, Quinte West Chamber of Commerce (President), Trenton Military Family Resource Centre (Chair), the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation (Chair), St. George’s Church and the advocacy group, 'our TMH', the community voice for our local hospital.
John was appointed as the Honorary Colonel for 436(t) squadron in November of 2010, and was thrilled to be able to join the Canuck family. He has been astounded at the depth of dedication, commitment, and personal sacrifice that the members of the squadron make on a daily basis. It has filled him with a very deep sense of pride, and honor to be affiliated with such an amazing group of Canadians.
In his role as owner of Smylie’s Your Independent Grocer, John leads by example and continuously encourages his staff to become involved in community events and to volunteer their time to local charities such as the Salvation Army, MFRC Invisible Ribbon Gala, Relay for Life, the Quinte West Fire Truck Pull for Special Olympics, Trenton Santa Claus Parade, Lions Club, Rotary Club of Trenton, Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation, RCAF Museum, Quinte West Soccer, Quinte West Minor Hockey, Ride For Sight, and many more, helping these organizations in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“John has had a huge impact on Quinte West and the business community here,” says chamber manager Suzanne Andrews. “He has been awarded numerous awards because of the excellence he has shown in the running of his business, the time and dedication he has given to community causes and the leadership he has shared while on the board of numerous organizations. He has been an active and supportive member of the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, helping to ensure the organization remained relevant and vital to local businesses.”
The Honourary Life Time Membership is awarded to local business people that have given freely of their time and expertise over the years to contribute to the growth of our community. Past recipients of this award are: Lt. General Howard Graham; Dr. W.A.L. McDonald; Wilf Wilkinson; Ian Darling; Doug Whitley; Eban James Sr.; Phil Panelas; Paul Tripp; Peter Davis; Rob Brown; Hugh O’Neil; Tom Kotsovos and John Williams.
If you would like to attend, tickets are available to the dinner and awards, which features a full course dinner by Occasions By the Bay and live music. Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased online at www.quintewestchamber.ca or at the Chamber office 613-392-7635.
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