Tickets now on sale
ABRAM-VILLAGE – Feb. 2, 2024 – The 2024 edition of the popular Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala will undergo a few minor changes, but the evening will retain its unique flavor and color as the biggest entrepreneurial recognition event of the year for the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI. A host of entrepreneurs and businesspeople from Tignish to Brackley will be honoured.
Already in its 21st year, the Gala will be held Saturday, March 16, at 5:30 p.m. – right in the middle of the “Rendez-vous de la Francophonie” month – at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village. As always, the formal evening will kick off with a short welcome message from Chamber spokesperson Janine Arsenault. In fact, this will be the only official speech of the Gala.
This will be followed by a delicious three-course banquet, prepared once again by the magnificent Chef Greg Arsenault from Cavendish’s La Rose Bistro: a bistro salad, followed by pistachio-crusted chicken with coconut sauce (with duchesse potatoes and vegetables), and topped off with an upside-down pineapple cake with pink peppercorn caramel. Red and white wine, served at every table, will be included with the meal. The vegetarian option: potato gnocchi with coconut sauce.
Following the sumptuous supper, the first order of business will be the induction ceremony of eight entrepreneurs into the PEI Acadian and Francophone Business Hall of Fame (formerly reserved for the end of the evening). The aim is to ensure that the seniors who will be recognized can fully enjoy the ceremony.
INDUCTIONS AND AWARDS
To be inducted with the help of Lieutenant-Governor Antoinette Perry, are :
• Alfred Arsenault of Urbainville Farms, Urbainville;
• The late Édouard Arsenault of The Bottle Houses and lighthouse keeper, Cape Egmont;
• Ernest Arsenault of Arsenault Painters, Abram-Village/Urbainville;
• The late Franky Arsenault of Franky’s Sawmill, St. Chrysostome;
• John and Alphonse Arsenault of J.C. Drilling, St. Raphael;
• Joseph Caissie of Egmont Bay Seafood and fisherman, Maximeville/Wellington;
• and Léo-Paul Arsenault of LP Electronics, Days Corner.
RDÉE Prince Edward Island will then present awards in two categories, including a new one:
• 2024 Annual PEI Sustainable Development IMPACT Recognition Award;
• various recognition awards for current and former participants in the Young Millionaires program for the summer of 2023.
Finally, the Chamber of Commerce will present its four other awards:
• 2024 Remarkable Young Entrepreneur Award;
• 2024 Social Economy Business Award;
• 2024 Distinguished Employee Award;
• 2024 Business of Excellence Award.
Some 15 individuals and companies are nominated for the last six awards mentioned.
TICKETS ON SALE
Gala tickets are now on sale at the Wellington Rural Action Centre for $45 each (tax included). They can also be reserved by contacting Josée Arsenault at josee@rdeeipe.org or 902-854-3439. E-transfers, credit cards, cheques and cash are accepted. The ticket covers the delicious three-course meal, wine, participation in the full evening, a small promotional gift from ProMax 2000 and the chance to win great door prizes.
Due to the large number of awards and recognitions to be presented this year, CCAFLIPE is anticipating a larger-than-usual turnout at the Gala. As seating is limited, the Chamber strongly recommend that people buy their tickets as early as possible.
The evening’s main sponsors (Platinum and Gold levels) will be announced in the coming weeks.
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PHOTO 1: The first Gold-level sponsor for the 2024 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala is once again CBDC Central PEI. General manager Claus Schmidt, right, was pleased to present the sponsorship cheque to Gala coordinator Raymond J. Arsenault, who sincerely thanked the CBDC.
PHOTO 2: Raymond J. Arsenault, coordinator of the 2024 Gala, and Josée Arsenault, client information officer with the Wellington Rural Action Centre, have announced that tickets for the 2024 Entrepreneurs’ Gala are now on sale at the RAC.
For further information, please contact:
Raymond J. Arsenault, Coordinator
2024 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala
raymond@rdeeipe.org
1-902-960-1285