The 20th Annual Biz X Awards took over St. Clair Centre for the Arts on Friday and dished out 24 awards.
Hardware was handed out to businesses and business people from throughout Windsor-Essex.
Organizers say local business professionals and industry experts decide the winners from more that 200 nominees. Categories range from something as simple as Best New Business, to Good Ole Home Cooking for a restaurant that serves up a meal just like mom.
Some awards focused on individuals like Cavalier Tool and Manufacturing's Brian Bendig — he was voted Most Loved Boss in Windsor-Essex.
He tells AM800 News he didn't see it coming, but the recognition meant a lot.
"Some of the staff went behind my back and made sure I was nominated without me knowing, I only found out a couple days ago," says Bendig. "I've got to tell you, I was pretty giddy. I read some of the comments and quotes the staff had put forward on my behalf and I'm just beside myself, It's great."
The award validates how Bendig has chosen manage the company, and treat people every day.
"You lay in bed and wonder if you're doing the right thing, am I going down the right path, am I doing the the things I should do for the company and people," says Bendig. "It makes me feel really good knowing people support me, they're picking me up and saying, look, what you're doing is the right way to go."
He says the award cames at a fitting time.
"Ironically I was born the day the company opened, so the company is celebrating 42 years, as I am tonight," says Bendig. "It's a hat-trick, the tri-fecta, it's fantastic."
This is Bendig's first Biz X Award, but it isn't the first award for the company. It won best tool and die shop previously.
A total of 220 nominees were put forward this year.