The Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce handed out 10 Spirit Awards at White Oaks Conference Centre last week to only nine recipients, with Irish Harp owner Jovie Joki receiving two of the top accolades, Business of the Year and the Peter Ling Award for Business Leadership.
Ward Simpson, master of ceremonies of the awards, was indeed the master of the event, as he always is — joking one minute, the next becoming emotional and wiping away his tears as he introduced the presenters, and kept the event moving along smoothly. He had great fun and entertained the audience with his name — beginning with “there is nothing better than being an award winner. I know that because I’ve been a Ward all my life, so let’s move onward.”
The Business of the Year award, said presenter Nancy Ammari, recognizes a business that makes a significant impact on its industry, with growth and development making it a leader with a commitment to “good corporate citizenship and to the community of Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
While Joki accepted the awards, she was not accepting all the credit.
She thanked the community and the committee for nominating the Harp for the prestigious award, and her patrons, “for their unwavering support and loyalty.”
She also thanked her staff, naming the management team and saying the award “represents the incredible passion, service and hard work that our Harp family does every day, in which every single member plays a vital role in achieving this success.”
The award, she said to her staff, “a testament to all of your commitments and passion to always excel. Thank you for your contributions and devotion to our vision over the years. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
Joki recognized Trevor Smyth, the Irish Harp founder, for wanting to create an authentic Irish pub, “where you could enjoy good food and drinks, entertainment, and especially great craic” In Ireland, she said, the pub is a major component of the community, but the Harp strives give back to the community, as the “Harp beat” of Niagara.”
She also thanked her partner Jeremy, for his “encouragement and creativeness which has been invaluable to our achievement.”
Joki again acknowledged her team when accepting the Peter Ling Award recognizing her leadership (Peter Ling was at one time owner of the Angel Inn, and the award was established in his name after his death).
The award recognizes, said presenter Al Legal, president of STAY NOTL, a Niagara-on-the-Lake business leader at the top of her field, who has distinguished herself through “corporate leadership, a commitment to excellent service and community involvement.”
She inspires others within their industry and instills “a sense of pride in being a business in NOTL,” said Legal.
“While this recognition is incredibly humbling,” Joki said, “it truly belongs to the remarkable team at The Irish Harp pub who have consistently demonstrated passion, dedication and unwavering commitment to our shared vision.”
“When I look back at the journey that led us here,” she continued, “it’s not about individual achievements, but about the collective power of collaboration. We have faced challenges together, embraced new opportunities, and always prioritized the growth and well-being of our team, customers, and community.”
She again named several members of her “exceptional Harp team,” and thanked her partner Jeremy, for “without you assisting me and being by my side, I would never be strong enough for the challenges, nor have as much fun and love in my life.”
Joki, known for her leadership in giving back to the community, said the award “serves as a reminder to use our platform to positively create a family-oriented environment for our team and guests, and to acknowledge and influence the community around us.”
Also winning Spirit Awards were Citizen of the Year Dorothy Soo-Wiens, Michael Zappitelli of BarrelHead, Catherine Dubois, Barbara Worthy, Palatine Fruit and Roses, Bonnie Bagnulo, Betty Colinari, and Tammy Martin.