The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is ready to celebrate four decades of recognizing local businesses and non-profits next week, and has released the names of the businesses vying for recognition.
Ahead of its 40th annual Business Excellence Awards, presented by Kal Tire, the chamber has announced the nominees for this year's awards.
“The chamber is proud and excited to celebrate our community’s business and non-profit achievements. For 40 years these awards have been a testament to the dedication and passion of local entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses that drive our region’s economy and this year’s list of nominees are a shining example of that," said Dan Proulx, general manager of the chamber.
Here are this year's nominees, listed in alphabetical order in each of the 17 award categories:
Small Business of the Year, Sponsored by Community Futures North Okanagan
• Argos Home Inspection
• Bean Scene Coffeehouse
• Best in Show on the Go - Mobile Dog Grooming
• Braden Kipp - Physiotherapist
• Coldstream Living Magazine
• Fill - Vernon's Refill Store
• Graphic Enterprises
• Handyman Vernon BC
• Kasper Denture Clinic
• North Okanagan Apparel
• North Okanagan Skin & Laser
• Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics
• Olive Us Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room
• Planet Bee Honey Farm
• Qualicare Home Care
• Roost Solar
• Spiritleaf Vernon
• Sun City Auto Parts
• Tailored Closet
• Touch of Elegance Studio & Training
• Transition Marketing Services
• Wedge Cheesery
Medium Business of the Year, Sponsored by Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical
• Browns Transport
• COBS Bread
• Iron Heart Gym
• Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy
• Rusty Spur Farm, Feed & Pet
Large Business of the Year, Sponsored by MNP
• Nixon Wenger LLP
• Okanagan Spring Brewery
• Vantage One Credit Union
Customer Service Excellence, Sponsored by Kelowna International Airport
• Bean to Cup
• Braden Kipp - Physiotherapist
• Budget Blinds
• COBS Bread
• Hawg Pitt Motorcycles Full-Service Shop
• Interactive Counselling
• Kal Tire Anderson Way
• Kasper Denture Clinic
• KT Fairglass
• Okanagan Spring Brewery
• Olive Us Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room
• Organizing Chaos by Design
• Painted Ladies Vernon
• Spiritleaf Vernon
• Touch of Elegance Studio & Training
New Business of the Year, Sponsored by Tolko
• Alpine Holistic Health
• Cedar & Soak
• Coldstream Living Magazine
• Connect & Play Counselling & Consulting
• Errands and Beyond
• Green Guard Eco-Scapes
• Noble Yoga
• Obsidian Games
• Oopsie Daisy Flowers
• Petawatts Auto Marine RV
• Phreeagent Creative
• Raising Stars Preschool
• Sage Dental Hygiene
• Silver Star Animal Care Clinic
• Sky's the Limit Health
• The Perch Winery
• Vernon Custom Garage
• Yankee Flats Meats
Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Sponsored by Nixon Wenger LLP
• Alexander, Jeremy - Evolve Digital Solutions
• Drzimotta, Eden - LaFlor Studio
• Kenward, Paul - PKSnow Media
• Kossowan, Gracen - Neon Daisy
• Mittelstaedt, Nicole - Turn Clean
• Razick, Shafiya - Shaf's Kitchenette
• Sewell, Samantha - Raising Stars Preschool
• Strother, Josh - Monashee Garage Doors
• Todosychuk, Dan - North OKGN Construction
Professional Business of the Year, Sponsored by TD Bank
• Aberdeen Painting & Decorating
• Braden Kipp - Physiotherapist
• Interactive Counselling
• Kasper Denture Clinic
• Lesia Design & Digital
• MQN Architects
Restaurant of the Year, Sponsored by Okanagan Spring Brewer
• Bourbon Street Bar & Grill
• Masiero Pizzeria Napoletana
• Phoenix Steakhouse
• Range Restaurant, Bar & Patio
Tourism Excellence, Sponsored by Tourism Vernon
• Allen Brooks Nature Centre
• Planet Bee Honey Farm
• Quality Inn and Suites
• Quilakwa RV & Campground
• SilverStar Mountain Resort
Trades Business of the Year, Sponsored by Scotiabank
• Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical
• Hey, It's Dave! Professional Painting Services
• Keith Dahlen Construction
• Roost Solar
• T&B Electric
Agri-Business Excellence (New Category this year), Sponsored by Armstrong Regional Cooperative
• Landing Nursery
• Pan Prairie Farnsworth
• Vegpro International (Fresh Attitude)
Non-Profit Excellence Award, Sponsored by Community Foundation North Okanagan
• All Are Family Outreach Society
• Allan Brooks Nature Centre
• Arts Council of the North Okanagan
• Funtastic Sports Society
• Forever Home Sanctuary
• Fresh Outlook Foundation
• Greater Vernon Museum and Archives
• Halina Activity Centre
• Okanagan Village Housing Society
• Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 Vernon
• Vernon Winter Carnival
Retail Business of the Year, Sponsored by Downtown Vernon Association
• Innerspace Watersports
• Olive Us Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room
• The Georgette Shop
• The Room Collection
• Vernon Teach and Learn
Diversity Excellence, Sponsored by Kal Tire
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Interactive Counselling
• Turning Points Collaborative
• Vernon Community Arts Centre
Business Leader of the Year, Sponsored by TD Benefits
• Fox, Ted - Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical
• Henke, Lynella - Vernon Teach and Learn
• Lastik, Heather - COBS Bread
• Ludditt, Allison - The Room Collection
• Payson, Julia - Canadian Mental Health Association
• Robertson, Braden - Braden Robertson Construction
• Sanders, Teresa - FILL, Vernon's Refill Store
• Topping, Vicki - MQN Architects
Employer of the Year, Sponsored by the City of Vernon
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Cherkowski Marsden LLP
• COBS Bread
• Nixon Wenger LLP
• Okanagan Spring Brewery
• Orchard Valley Retirement Residence
People’s Choice Award, Sponsored by Total Restoration Services
• Over 5,000 votes submitted and all nominees are eligible to win
The Business Excellence Awards will be handed out at an awards ceremony at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 24. The Oscar-style event will be a celebration of Greater Vernon's business community, and people are invited to attend and connect with the area's best and brightest. There will be free appetizers from 6-7 p.m. and door prizes to be won courtesy of Okanagan Spirits. The ceremony starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at ticketseller.ca.
