The 2021 5 to Watch Winners & Sport and Event Alumni Achievement Winner

Congratulations to our 2021 Award Winners!

Award winners are the best and the brightest leaders in Canadian sports business whose track records are second to none. The award is a centrepiece and tribute to their career accomplishments.

We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of each winner, and we wish them continued success in their career and future endeavours!

2021 Special Recognition Award

Peter Widdis

Peter Widdis is a full-time Professor and Academic Coordinator of the Sport & Event Marketing postgraduate program in the Centre for Business.

Originally a 'Student/Athlete' and member of the varsity basketball team at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York - he started his career at Grey Advertising.

After moving to the sports business sector with Lang Partnerships Network, Peter was one of the early graduates in the Sport & Event Marketing program in 1997.

A dual professional in every sense of the term, Peter went on to hold executive roles in Fortune 500 CPG companies, an SME and Multinational Agency, acquiring foundational skills in Brand Management, Strategic Planning and Product Innovation along the way.

Peter returned 'home' to George Brown in 2009 - where his passion for lifelong learning and applied creativity has been integral to the Sport & Event Marketing program thriving as one of North America's foremost postgraduate business programs.

Peter's drive to turning learning into opportunity is evident in his unique teaching practices which energize teamwork from the classroom to the boardroom. Peter has been a coach for hundreds of graduates — guiding them on their career start and advising on the critical skills required to succeed.

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 5 To Watch Awards - Peter has been one of the key architects in the growth of this media event. A champion of the nomination process, he engages sports business leaders and organizations across Canada, while encouraging diverse participation from all sectors to help the industry rise together.

And perhaps most importantly, aside from his faculty role, Peter is a Co-Chair on the Organizing Committee, which has raised more than $350,000 for the GBC Foundation in support of student bursaries.

Enthusiastic, inspiring and a genuine leader, 5 to Watch and George Brown College are pleased to recognize Peter Widdis as the recipient of our 2021 Special Recognition Award.