Since the inaugural Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year event was held in 2004, the University of Victoria’s annual gala has become what Sybil Verch described Tuesday as “the business event of the year” in Victoria.
“It’s an excuse for a who’s who of Victoria and surrounding areas to get dressed up, have a fun night out and get inspired,” said the financial adviser and host of The Wealthy Life, looking glamorous in a glittery gown.
“I can’t wait to hear their stories,” said Verch, who has been on the planning committee since Jeff Mallett, former president and chief operating officer of Yahoo, was the inspirational award’s first recipient.
“Pretty much everyone who attends leaves this event feeling like they need to go out there and do something else.”
A record-breaking 660 guests attended Tuesday night’s gala at the Victoria Conference Centre, where there was more fun and games than usual.
This seemed fitting since Don Mattrick, this year’s recipient of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business award, is no stranger to games, having spent much of his life championing some of the world’s best.
The bright, boyishly charming technology and investment icon reflects the drive, entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen that the business school encourages and recognizes.
His achievements are impressive — including positions as co-founder and CEO of his Burnaby-based startup Distinctive Software Inc., president of worldwide studios for Electronic Arts and president of Microsoft’s entertainment businesses, overseeing the growth of its Xbox and PC gaming businesses, and CEO of social media gaming company Zynga.
Despite his success, however, he has a disarming modesty and sense of humour that endeared him to the crowd.
A highlight was when Mallett conducted an onstage interview with Mattrick that was interrupted by a server delivering milk and cookies, playfully honouring Mattrick’s apparent fondness for this late-night snack.
“Don’s a good friend of mine, so before the question was even finished I said yes,” said Mallett, recalling how quickly he accepted the invitation to interview Mattrick.
“I’ve known him a long time and worked alongside him, so I know a few little things he’s done and had a few stories I could tell. He’s just a fun guy.”
It’s no wonder Mattrick was amused when, before Gustavson presented him with the award, business school dean Saul Klein jokingly gave him a pixillated-looking trophy that would have been at home in a video game.
“Don’s one of those few folks who really are at the forefront of the technology innovation game and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to recognize him,” said Klein. “The fact he lives here adds another wonderful dimension to it.”
At a VIP reception at the Fairmont Empress, Mattrick said he doesn’t mind being called a geek because of his love of science and his enduring penchant for experimenting, learning and complex problem-solving.
“For me, it implies passion and curiosity,” he said, recalling his high school years when friends would tease him for going to the computer room and trying to do programming at lunchtime.
“That curiousity that people usually associate with [geekdom] still holds true,” Mattrick said with a smile after arriving with his vivacious wife, Nanon de Gaspé Beaubien-Mattrick, founder of the angel fund Beehive Holdings.
The Victoria-based tech mogul and venture capital investor said he still cherishes the opportunity to “think and learn new things” and embrace the incredible changes going on in today’s world.
“Spending time at a company like Microsoft, I got a chance to see the first authentic geek in Bill [Gates], and he’d always say: ‘You know, if you’re not learning something new every day, you’re missing an opportunity.’ ”
Other past recipients in attendance included Gwyn Morgan, former president and CEO of Encana Corp; David Black, president of Black Press; London Drugs chairman Brandt C. Louie; and Lululemon Athletica founder Dennis (Chip) Wilson.
“We’re going to see many more people rise to levels you’ve never seen before,” said Wilson, noting he wasn’t surprised the event was still going after all these years.
“Especially because people in the tech industry can live anywhere they want, and Victoria and Vancouver are two of the most beautiful places in the world.”
