Business Excellence Awards Recipients Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KELOWNA, BC -The recipients of the ten 2014 Business Excellence Awards were announced last evening (October 21) at the Coast Capri Hotel as the 25 finalists, their guests and community leaders celebrated 27 years of business excellence in Kelowna.

Mike Jacobs, President, Emil Anderson Construction, was honoured as the 2014 Business Leader of the Year, the prestigious award was sponsored by Ian Stuart & Associates.

RISING STAR AWARD Sponsored by: FortisBC

Recipient: Mission Creek Orthodontics

Finalist: Wink i Wear Inc.


COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD Sponsored by: Urban Systems Ltd.

Recipient: Kelowna General Hospital Foundation

Finalist: The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society


YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD Sponsored by: UBC Okanagan

Recipient: Guiseppe Simpatico, GoodSir Creative Inc.

Finalists:
-Dr. Derek Pollard, Mission Creek Orthodontics
-David Veldhoen, Shorestone Homes Ltd.

ECO-STAR INNOVATION AWARD Sponsored by: Interior Savings Credit Union

Recipient: GreenStep Solutions Inc.

Finalist: Okanagan Car Share Co-op

DISTINCTION IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARD Sponsored by: Tourism Kelowna

Recipient: Wells Gray Tours Ltd.

Finalists:
-Okanagan Wine Country Tours
-WildPlay Element Parks

MARKETER OF THE YEAR AWARD Sponsored by: Pushor Mitchell LLP

Recipient: Get in the Loop

Finalists:
-Juice FM, Vista Radio
-Twin Creek Media Inc.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1-10 employees) Sponsored by: Prospera Credit Union

Recipient: Interior Portable Rentals

Finalists:
-Cellar-Tek Supplies Ltd.
-Lyman Lures Manufacturing Ltd.

MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (11-30 employees) Sponsored by: BDO Canada LLP

Recipient: Border Plumbing, Heating and Air

Finalists:
-AAA Internet Publishing Inc. (DBA WTFast)
-Building Blocks Educational Daycare


LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (31+ employees) Sponsored by: Grant Thornton LLP

Recipient: Waterplay Solutions Corp.

Finalists:
-Boyd Autobody & Glass
-Northside Industries
-SW Audio + Visual


"We salute those who have recognized a business opportunity, seized it and prospered," says Curtis Darmohray, 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 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 - 25, 2014).

For the past 34 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.


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For more information contact:
Dicky Dack

Operations Manager
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
250-469-7355
dicky@kelownachamber.org