Kelowna Enterprise Awards Finalists Introduced – Kelowna Capital Information

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.