FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2009

Business Excellence Recipients Announced KELOWNA, BC – The recipients of the seven 2009 Business Excellence Awards were awarded last evening (October 21) at the Delta Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort as the 20 finalists, their guests and community leaders celebrated 22 years of business excellence in Kelowna.

Robert Fine, Executive Director, Central Okanagan Economic Development, was honoured as the 2009 Business Leader of the Year, the prestigious award sponsored by UBC Okanagan.

Kelowna Regional Fertility Centre (Jason Broome) was the recipient of the 2009 Rising Star Award sponsored by the FortisBC. This award is for new companies that have been in business less than three years. Finalists: S2 Innovative Products Group Ltd., Vineyard Networks.

A panel of judges selected three outstanding Kelowna area businesses as the 2009 recipients of the following Business Awards:

• Small Business Award (1 - 10 employees) sponsored by TD Canada Trust

Recipient: Modern Pur Air Inc. (Lane Martin)

Finalists: Interior Tax & File Small Business Services, Orchard & Vine Magazine, Platinum Personnel & Business Services

• Mid-Size Business Award (11 - 30 employees) sponsored by BDO Dunwoody LLP

Recipient: JDS Energy & Mining (Jeff Stibbard)

Finalists: CBD Network, Vedanta Academy

• Large Business Award (31+ employees) sponsored by MacKay LLP

Recipient: CTQ Consultants Ltd. (Matt Cameron)

Finalists: Expert Hearing Group, Paragon Pharmacies

• Community Impact Award sponsored by Urban Systems

Recipient: Kelowna Art Gallery – Dona Moore

Finalists: Big Brothers and Sisters of the Okanagan, Women’s Enterprise Centre, United Way of the Central & South Okanagan

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year (individual under 34 years of age) sponsored by Prospera Credit Union

Recipient: Mark and Todd Regier, Prestige Collision

Finalists: Raegan Hall - Blonde, Angela Reid – Tigress Ventures

“We salute those who have recognized a business opportunity, seized it and prospered,” says Norm LeCavalier, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce President. “The accomplishments and dedication of all the finalists honoured last evening are impressive and their stories inspire us all. We are proud of the contributions these exceptional business leaders have made in our community.”

Presented by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and Gold Sponsors the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Farris, Vaughn, Wills and Murphy LLP, the popular Kelowna event is part of the annual Small Business Week® activities (October 18-24, 2009). For the past 30 years, Small Business Week® has paid tribute to Canadian entrepreneurs and created opportunities for them to share success stories and innovative ideas with the active participation of members of the Chambers of Commerce and BDC branches across the country.

For more information call: Dicky Dack Operations Manager Kelowna Chamber of Commerce 250-469-7355 dicky@kelownachamber.org