Arnon Levy wins BDC's Young Entrepreneur Award for Alberta
(Calgary, Alberta October 17, 2006) The brainchild of founder Arnon Levy, Guest-Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd. has become a dominant player in the field of high-speed Internet access for hotels and the only one to offer a converged "triple-play" solution that includes phone and video. For this achievement, Arnon, 35, has won BDC's Young Entrepreneur Award for Alberta and will be honoured tonight at a ceremony in Moncton, New Brunswick.Headquartered in Calgary, Guest-Tek has, in 10 years, grown into a 300-person strong business providing high-speed Internet access to 530,000 hotel rooms around the globe. The company, which has offices in California, Poland and China, went public in February, 2004 and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Guest-Tek revenues soared to $44 million in 2005, doubling the previous year's results.In the last 18 months, GuestTek has expanded its services and now offers an integrated suite of products: high-speed Internet access, video and telephony. "We make these products work together," says Arnon. "For example, guests can watch a movie on our system in their hotel room and if the phone rings and they pick up, the movie pauses automatically." Arnon started Guest-Tek in 1996 from his basement, with the idea of providing full computer systems in hotel rooms. "When we tested the product, we noticed that people were unplugging our computers and trying to plug in their laptops," he explains. "That gave us the idea to create and provide high-speed Internet access for laptops."Connecting with customersGuest-Tek quickly distinguished itself for its superior customer service. "In the hospitality industry, service is everything because none of our customers want their guests upset," points out Arnon. "My proudest accomplishment has been building an environment where everybody is involved," he adds. "It's because the people in this company work so well together that we've been able to create the products we have and provide the support levels we do." New employees at Guest-Tek start by working in the company's call centre where they learn the business, the service and what the customers are looking for. "We provide intense training," says Arnon, "and we have a fairly low turnover rate, because employees know they can move on from the call centre into different parts of the company." The Guest-Tek employee team spirit extends outside of the business to the company's involvement in a non-profit organization known as Two Wheel View which provides opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in bike tours throughout the world."Arnon stands out as a role model for young Canadian entrepreneurs," says BDC President and CEO Jean-René Halde. "He has taken an idea and developed it into a thriving, innovative business. It's a pleasure to recognize his passion, drive and excellence with this award." "This business has become a significant part of my life and I love what I do," says Arnon. "I've learned that the most important thing for any entrepreneur is to be decisive," he adds. "If you make the wrong decision, you can change it. But the minute you don't make decisions you're at a standstill." Recognition for young entrepreneursA major feature of Small Business Week, BDC's Young Entrepreneur Awards recognize the entrepreneurial spirit and business success of Canadians between the ages of 19 and 35. The winners one from each province and territory are selected by a committee based on criteria including success, growth potential, innovation, participation in new economy activities and community involvement. The committee also considers export performance, the entrepreneur's age when the business was started and any special challenges overcome. Small Business Week partnersNational partners help make Small Business Week a success. Western Economic Diversification, WestJet, Rogers, Export and Development Canada, CFIB and Intuit Canada are official partners of the 2006 Small Business Week and Young Entrepreneur Awards. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been a privileged partner of the event since 1981. About BDCBDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC actively supports the development and growth of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses through its complementary financial, investment and consulting solutions. BDC is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2007.
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For more information or to arrange for an interview on October 17:Media Room:1-877-330-4343506-857-2117After October 17:Eva Boucher HartlingMedia Relations Manager514-283-7929
