(Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia) – The NextGen Leadership Society, in collaboration with the Cape Breton Partnership, is pleased to host the fifth annual Vital Cape Breton Excellence Awards on Friday, November 2, 2018. The Vital Awards are a unique celebration that recognize youth and young professionals between the ages of 16 and 40 who have made significant contributions or impacts to their community, school, or workplace. The Vital Awards also reserve a special category recognizing local employers who show a continued effort to give young people professional work experience and meaningful employment.

For the fifth anniversary, the NextGen Leadership Board added a fourth category titled Vital Innovation Excellence Award, awarded to an individual person or company that has demonstrated and inspired leadership, creativity, problem solving, risk-taking, in their community or sector. All of the winners recognized at the Vital Awards are honoured for their achievements and commitment to supporting their peers and for making Cape Breton a better place to live, work, and play.

“NextGen’s vision is one that strives to empower and motivate young talent, and we are proud to be able to recognize and build on success and achievements to create a new youth focused future for Cape Breton Island,” said Erin Gallagher, Co-chair of the NextGen Leadership Board. “2018 marks our fifth year of the Vital Awards and as the event becomes more popular we hope for an outstanding mix of nominations from across the Island”.

Nominations for the Vital Awards are now open. The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 5, 2018 at 4 p.m. Nominations can be submitted online from the NextGen Leadership Society’s website. For more information on how to nominate, purchase tickets, how to become a sponsor, or other event information, please visit www.cbnextgen.com.

“Young people are vital to Cape Breton. Their talent, drive, and contributions are essential to the core of the Island’s sustainability,” said Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “The Vital Awards are just one way we can showcase the impact that our youth have in making positive change in our communities in Cape Breton.”

The Vital Awards will take place on the main concourse at Centre 200 on Friday, November 2. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the Award’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. and wrap at 9 p.m. The Vital Award’s will feature live and local entertainment, hor d’oeuvres, as well as a prime opportunity to network with Cape Breton’s next generation of up and coming leaders and change markers. Early bird tickets are on sale now for $25 and can be purchased online or by phone at 902-562-0122. After October 19, ticket prices will go up to $30.

Media Contact:
Carla Arsenault President
President & CEO
Cape Breton Partnership
carla@capebretonpartnership.com
(w) 902-562-0122 (c) 577-2455