More than 600 members of the BC business community came together at the Victoria Conference Centre yesterday to celebrate the Gustavson School of Business’s 10^th annual Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award gala. This year’s honouree is Brandt Louie, chairman and CEO of H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd. and chairman of the board of London Drugs.

The sold-out evening started with a champagne reception (with décor that referenced London Drugs with a ‘Prescription for Success’) that saw hundreds of business leaders gather to mingle and connect before moving on to dinner and the evening’s program.

The themed event (“Where proud heritage and remarkable innovation meet”) centred on Louie’s core values of family, service, sustainability and… fishing. Programs for the evening at each table featured a fishing derby theme; in addition to the winner of a draw at the end of the evening, the derby’s ‘biggest fish’ winner received a London Drugs gift certificate.

Sponsors included BMO Financial Group, Shaw Communications, RBC Phillips, Hager & North Investment Counsel Inc., Reed Pope Business Lawyers, PWC Hayes Stewart Little Chartered Accountants, Sybil Verch, the Verch Group at Raymond James and Douglas Magazine. The Times Colonist is a 10-year media sponsor.

The evening’s program was emceed by Assistant Dean of the Gustavson School of Business, Pat Elemans. Speakers included Chancellor of the University of Victoria, Murray Farmer, and Dean of the Gustavson School of Business, Saul Klein. Peter Legge Chairman of Canada Wide Media introduced the honouree and keynote speaker, Brandt Louie.  The award was presented to Mr. Louie by Peter Gustavson, the chair and founder of the gala.

Louie’s compelling talk was wide-ranging, but focused on the importance of education as the key to growth and long-term prosperity.

Louie’s business philosophy and entrepreneurial spirit is the catalyst driving the ongoing success of the H.Y. Louie group of companies. Under his leadership, the group of companies has grown and become more diverse, and now includes the charter airline LAS and Sonora Resort, a Relais and Chateau award-winning eco resort and conference centre.  The H.Y. Louie group of companies is also a leader in corporate and civic sustainability, reflecting Louie’s core value of serving his industry, his community and his country.

The evening’s programme also featured several videos produced by Shaw Communications; one was a retrospective of previous DEYA recipients, asking their advice for today’s entrepreneurs. Two others were short pieces featured Gustavson grads and their businesses.   Previous recipients of the award who were in attendance last night gala were Jeff Mallett, David Ritchie, David Black, Gwyn Morgan and JR Shaw.