Grand River Raceway is the proud recipient of a Business Excellence Award in the Hospitality/Tourism Award category, presented by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Of Commerce (GKWCC).

More than 900 people attended the Business Excellence Awards gala at Bingeman’s in Kitchener on February 18. The 12 award categories represent the businesses and organizations that have helped shape Waterloo Region as one of the strongest business communities in Canada.

The Hospitality/Tourism Award category is awarded to an outstanding business or organization that has achieved excellence in the past year through: increasing awareness of the area as a destination and promoting tourism; exceeding customer expectations in the hospitality/tourism industry; demonstrated measurable success and ensured sustainability moving forward in the hospitality/tourism industry; and exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment.

Grand River Raceway’s fellow nominees were the Block Three Brewing Company, City of Kitchener Special Events, Impact Events Group Inc., Janet Lynn’s Bistro and Manulife LPGA Classic. The sponsor of the award is the Waterloo Tourism Marketing Corporation.

During the acceptance speech for the award, Grand River Raceway trumpeted several partners in its success, including the OLG Slots At Grand River Raceway, the hardworking horsepeople of Ontario and their exceptional professional athletes, the Standardbred racehorse. Loyal guests of Grand River Raceway were acknowledged as avid supporters of the operation, through thick and thin, and instrumental in all of its success.

“Our staff on the frontlines are truly the face of Grand River Raceway,” said marketing manager Kelly Spencer. “Many are part-time and seasonal employees and they return year after year because they love what they do, and it shows. They deliver the experience for which we are being recognized this evening.”

Grand River Raceway is a dynamic horse racing, gaming, dining and entertainment destination located in the beautiful village of Elora. The award-winning site offers seasonal live harness racing from June through September, daily simulcast horse racing from across the globe, 242 slot machines operated by the OLG Slots At Grand River Raceway, three restaurants, special events, and complete meetings and vents services including space rentals and catering.

The site opened in 2003 and welcomes more than 665,000 people each year — an average of 1,800 people per day. The track’s live horse races are beamed via satellite to thousands of viewers at hundreds of racetracks and off-track betting sites throughout North America, and via web streaming at grandriverraceway.com.

Grand River Raceway is owned and operated by the Grand River Agricultural Society, a not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Agricultural Societies Act of Ontario and operated by a volunteer board of directors.

For further information about the GKWCC’s Annual Business Excellence Awards, visit their website (greaterkwchamber.com).

(Grand River Raceway)