The finalists for the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, which will be presented in October, have been announced.
Twenty-seven finalists will be honored at the 30th Annual Awards Ceremony on October 12th at the Grand Okanagan Resort.
The finalists compete for nine awards in their respective categories and the annual Business Leader of the Year is chosen, with a total of 10 trophies being distributed over the course of the evening.
After reviewing the Business Excellence Awards program in the run-up to its 30th anniversary, the Chamber decided it was time to change its industry-specific awards.
“With such a diverse industry here, it was time for us to shed light on some of the other well-deserved sectors that are helping put Kelowna on the map,” said Dan Rogers, executive director of the Kelowna Chamber.
“We were pleased that companies applied that hadn’t participated in the past, perhaps because they thought they didn’t fit into the previous categories.”
The program postponement proved successful in generating new interest from hopeful companies, with a total of 162 nominations and more than half of those completing the packages to enter the competition.
After a selection process, the eight independent jurors shortlisted the 81 applicants from their 27 finalists.
All finalists will be presented on October 12th at the Chamber’s largest event of the year from 5pm to 9pm
2017 business excellence finalists include:
Rising Star Award
Current taxi
Bottle social house – FSH
purple
Small Business Award (1-15 employees)
Hybrid elevator
Okanagan Wine Country Tours
First class physiotherapy
SME price (16-50 employees)
Medical center on the lake
Mission group
NewCap radio
Award for social impact
Bridge Youth and Family Center
CRIS Adaptive Adventure
Volinspire
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Andrew Gaucher, GGroup Land Development
Meagan Hughes, Cottage Quilting
Jared Lee & Devon Murray, Central Kitchen + Bar
Award for excellence in agriculture
BC tree fruits
Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm
Alte Wiesen organic farm
Award for Marketing Campaign of the Year
CREW
McKinley Beach
Okanagan Water Basin Board
Award for arts and entertainment achievements
Ballet Kelowna
Rotary Center for the Arts
Wentworth music
Large Business Award (51+ employees)
Opportunities Kelowna
Northside Industries
Rona Home & Garden Kelowna
The recipient of the prestigious Business Leader of the Year award will be announced prior to the award dinner.
Ticket prices: Early bird price 125 USD plus GST – only available until October 1st 11:59 pm. After that, ticket prices rise. Ticket sales will end on October 6th at 4:00 p.m.
