Dieppe (NB) June 14, 2024 - The Expansion Dieppe Banquet, held on Thursday, June 13 at Dieppe's UNIplex, was a resounding success, with over 360 people in attendance. Under the theme Our Businesses. Our pride! this not-to-be-missed celebration of Dieppe entrepreneurship is part of a 22-year tradition.

The UNI surface area, which is temporarily ice free this June, makes way for a number of events, including the Expansion Dieppe Banquet, which will be followed on Friday by a series of “Zorka” shows by FUSION productions. Banquet attendees got a taste of this majestic show as they admired a few numbers during the celebration on Thursday. The ambience was perfect to celebrate the evening's deserving businesses. 

Talented emerging artist Anabelle Hébert joined the illustrious Luc LeBlanc to co-host the evening. This astonishing duo is a natural fit, as both have been touring across Canada for several months. Anabelle is the opening act for Luc LeBlanc's one-man show. Luc and Anabelle charmed the audience, made up of Dieppe's business community and the surrounding area. The evening closed with a lively after-party, featuring DJ MARKOSHi, from the “Twinz” duo. Hearts were festive as we celebrated the finalists and, above all, the winning businesses - the real stars of the evening.

A true haven for pet lovers, Global Pet Foods won the Business Excellence Award. Continuing their growth with a 10th store in New Brunswick, they recently opened a 2nd location in Dieppe, at 50 Rufin Street. This 6500 sq. ft. flagship store is filled with a selection of high-quality food, toys and accessories for dogs and cats. The team is made up of passionate pet care specialists. Their success story is a testament to the commitment of local businesses to offering the very best to their four-legged customers and their owners.

The Service Business Excellence Award was presented to Productions l'Entrepôt. With 20 years of experience in New Brunswick's cultural scene, Productions l'Entrepôt has specialized in the creation and production of Canadian television content for nearly a decade. Its dynamic team works to create shows and corporate events, and has participated in the creation of several major hit series such as Les Newbies, Garde partagée, the production of the game show Ça fait la job, documentaries and the now traditional Grand ménage des Fêtes. The entertainment industry is a catalyst for job creation and generates significant economic spin-offs for the region.

Olé Hibachi restaurant won the Emerging Business Award. Olé means “come over to my place,” and the warm welcome is felt as soon as you enter. The menu features Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Indonesian specialties, as well as an impressive variety of sushi. The Japanese teppanyaki grill is the perfect place to celebrate birthdays and many other special occasions, with a unique festive atmosphere. The restaurant welcomes chefs and staff from a variety of countries, including Vietnam, Japan and Indonesia. For this passionate team, it's essential to offer an unforgettable experience to their customers; a friendly place where every dish is tasty.

The winner of the people's vote My Choice Award is Twisted Electric Inc. The eye-catching pink van has been roaming the streets of Dieppe and surrounding areas for the past few years. The small team consists of an experienced electrician and an apprentice. It's very important for this business to promote the trades in the blue-collar sector to those who have an affinity with this non-traditional trade for women. The business stands out for its community involvement with various charities. From changing light bulbs to complete residential wiring, Twisted Electric offers quality service, and its loyal clientele continues to grow.

Recognizing the importance of encouraging youth entrepreneurship, Expansion Dieppe has renewed its partnership with Place aux compétences (PAC), with a donation of $3,000. For over 15 years, Place aux compétences has been working with a number of partners to support youth in our province's French-language community schools. This support enables them to develop projects that not only help them discover their interests and passions, but also give them the opportunity to get involved and develop the skills they need to succeed in their lives and careers. This year, a total of 82 projects from kindergarten to grade 12 were developed and supported in Dieppe schools.

“This grandiose evening is made possible by the significant contribution of our many loyal sponsors who believe in the importance of recognizing the contribution of local entrepreneurs to the vitality of our dynamic city,” explains Louis Godbout, Executive Director of Expansion Dieppe. "I would like to recognize all our businesses and congratulate this year's finalists who are making a significant contribution to Dieppe's economy. I'd especially like to congratulate this year's winners, who are making a name for themselves in Dieppe and throughout l’Acadie,” concludes Mr. Godbout.

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For more information, please contact:

Martine Tremblay

Communications and Marketing Officer

Expansion Dieppe

506-877-5019 or [email protected]

About the Expansion Dieppe Banquet

Expansion Dieppe's mission is to work with entrepreneurs, developers, and strategic partners to foster a diversified economy that ensures sustained growth in Dieppe. In order to encourage this dynamic, it is essential to recognize the considerable contribution of businesses and business people to Dieppe's economic development.

Under the theme "Our businesses. Our Pride!", Expansion Dieppe holds its annual banquet, an event that brings together the business community, during which awards are given to deserving Dieppe entrepreneurs.

The following awards are presented to businesses with outstanding success: the Business Excellence Award, the Service Business Excellence Award, the Emerging Business Award, as well as the My Choice Award which is chosen by the public. Nominations are made by peers within the Dieppe business community. Originally known as the City of Dieppe Entrepreneurs' Banquet, this event was created in 2002. In 2019, the name changed to "Expansion Dieppe Banquet", and the event remains a celebration of Dieppe entrepreneurship.