LCBO presents Elsie Awards

At this year’s Elsie Awards, held in Toronto on June 15, the LCBO honoured its suppliers and their agents for innovation, creativity and commitment to customer service and social responsibility.

“This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the Elsie Awards, providing the LCBO the opportunity to honour its trade partners for their innovation, focus on customer service and support,” says Carolyn O’Grady Gold, LCBO director of Wines and Co-Chair of the Elsie Awards. “While all of LCBO’s trade partners contribute to our success, the Elsie Awards give us the opportunity to recognize those who have set themselves apart by going above and beyond to deliver excellence.”

A total of 28 awards were handed out, including agents/suppliers of the year, best new product launches, best gift item, best special event, excellence in marketing of Ontario VQA wines and best FOOD & DRINK ad. Excellence in social responsibility and environmental commitment were also singled out for recognition.

Three Agents/Suppliers of the Year Awards were handed out to recognize the success of large (Imperial), medium (Double Magnum) and small (Magnum) companies. These awards went to Labatt Breweries of Canada (Imperial), Canada Dry Mott’s Inc. (Double Magnum), and Connexion Oenophilia (Magnum).

The 2016 Social Responsibility Award went to Brown-Forman Corporation, while the prestigious Special Recognition award was presented to wine reviewer Gord Stimmell.

Here is the complete list of winners, as described in an LCBO press release:

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Brown-Forman Corporation
BEST SPECIAL EVENT: Labatt Breweries of Canada – Goose Island Vanilla Rye Bourbon County Stout
BEST FOOD & DRINK WINE: Glencairn Wine Merchants
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT: Yealands Estate – Peter Yealands, Principal
BEST FOOD & DRINK AD: Andrew Peller Ltd.
BEST GIFT ITEM: Charton-Hobbs Inc. – Veuve Clicquot Brut Mailbox
BEST NICHE MARKETING: HHD Imports Inc. – Year of the Monkey Pinot Noir
VQA EXCELLENCE AWARD: Constellation Brands
VINTAGES PORTFOLIO AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
BEST INTEGRATED MARKETING PROGRAM: Constellation Brands – Pure New Zealand, Pure Nobilo
BEST VINTAGES EVENT: Trialto Wine Group Limited – Barolo Time Machine – Walk-around Tasting & Dinner
MADE IN ONTARIO: Better Bitters – Nickel Brook Brewing Co.
BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Diageo Canada Inc. – Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: WINES: Corby Spirit and Wine – Jackob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz
BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: BEERS: Von Terra Enterprises Ltd. – Sierra Nevada
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: PRODUCT FLOW: Antonella Quagliozzi – Profile Wine Group
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SUPPLY CHAIN: Escalade Wines & Spirits
PARTNERSHIP IN TRAINING AWARD: Rogers & Company – The Wines of Nino Franco – Product Consultant Regional Conference, Winter 2015
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: BEERS: Andrew Kelen – Labatt Breweries of Canada
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: VINTAGES: Colin Halpern – Halpern Enterprises
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: WINES: Rob Convery – Philippe Dandurand Wines
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: WINES: Matt Wicksted – Philippe Dandurand Wines
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Ryan Keery – Beam Suntory
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Patrick Sweeney – Beam Suntory
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: SPIRITS & READY-TO-DRINK: Keith Pinto – Beam Suntory
PARTNERSHIP AWARD: RETAIL: Jane Petrie – Constellation Brands
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Gord Stimmell
AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: MAGNUM: Connexion Oenophilia
AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: DOUBLE MAGNUM: Canada Dry Mott’s Inc.
AGENT/SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARD: IMPERIAL: Labatt Breweries of Canada