2013 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

KELOWNA, BC – Twenty-five finalists will be honoured at the 26th Annual Business Excellence Awards on October 23rd at the Delta Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort and Conference Centre where eight category recipients will be announced, along with the Business Leader of the Year recipient.  Presented by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and Platinum Sponsors the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, the popular Kelowna event is part of the annual Small Business Week® activities (October 20-26, 2013).

“As we celebrate the 26th anniversary of the Business Excellence Awards and recognize this talented group of entrepreneurs, we are impressed with the depth and breadth of Kelowna’s dynamic business community,” says Caroline Grover, CEO for the Kelowna Chamber. “We are equally inspired by the innovation and tenacity demonstrated by the finalists and their companies.”

The Business Excellence Awards program celebrates achievement in our business community with finalists in each category selected from a wide group of nominations. The panel of judges visits all of the finalists and will judge them on the growth and development of their business, customer service, employee relations and community service.

Nominated businesses must have been operating for longer than three years (with the exception of the Rising Star Award) and have a letter from their accountant confirming that they are financially sound.

“It is important for us to recognize our business leaders for their successes and innovations,” says Dominic Petraroia, Managing Partner of Farris’ Kelowna office.  “Each of the finalists represents a unique accomplishment that has helped to strengthen the local economy and enrich our community.  Congratulations to all of the finalists and we celebrate their achievement.”

The Business Excellence Finalists for 2013:

RISING STAR AWARD (in business less than 3 years)
Cheeky Monkey Media
The Hot Box Yoga Kelowna
Okanagan Home Magazine Inc.

Sponsored by: FortisBC

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1-10 employees)

Mission Meats
Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc.
Yeti Farm Creative

Sponsored by: Prospera Credit Union

MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (11-30 employees)

Artistech Newmedia Inc.
Bouchons Bistro
Hydraclean Restoration Services Ltd.
Prestige Collision

Sponsored by: BDO Canada LLP

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (31+ employees)

Northside Industries
Wentworth Music

Sponsored by: MacKay LLP

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
Accelerate Okanagan
Metro Community
The Society of Hope
United Way of the Central and South Okanagan Similkameen

Sponsored by: Urban Systems Ltd.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Justin O’Connor, Okanagan Home Magazine Inc.
Kylie Sutton, Moksha Yoga Kelowna
Stephen Whiting, StreetText

Sponsored by: UBC Okanagan
GREEN INNOVATOR AWARD
Campion Marine Inc.
GreenStep Solutions Inc.
UBC Okanagan

Sponsored by: Interior Savings Credit Union
HOSPITALITY/TOURISM AWARD
Ancient Hill Estate Winery
Arlo’s Honey Farm
The View Winery

Sponsored by: Tourism Kelowna

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
The recipient of the prestigious Business Leader of the Year award sponsored by Ian Stuart & Associates will be announced prior to the Awards dinner.

Ticket Prices: Early bird price $90.00 plus GST to 4 pm Oct. 16. After that date, ticket prices are $120 plus GST. Click here to reserve your seats for this popular event!

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce acts as a single powerful voice for their 1200 members and their 25,000 plus employees to promote local business interests. The Chamber provides a cohesive business network for its members to expand their business contacts, value-added benefits, programs, and services aimed at improving the bottom line of Chamber members. Their mission is to foster a positive business environment by providing members with leadership, advocacy and services of value.
For more information call:

Dicky Dack
Operations Manager
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
250-469-7350
dicky@kelownachamber.org

News from © iNFOnews, 2013