2012 Business Excellence Finalists

2012 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

KELOWNA, BC – Seventeen finalists will be honored at the 25th Annual Business Excellence Awards on October 17th at the Delta Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort and Conference Centre where six category recipients will be announced, along with the Business Leader of the Year recipient. 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 14 - 20, 2012).

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Business Excellence Awards and recognize this talented group of entrepreneurs, we are impressed with the depth and breadth of Kelowna’s dynamic business community,” says Caroline Grover, CEO for the Kelowna Chamber. “We are equally inspired by the innovation and tenacity demonstrated by the finalists and their companies.”

The Business Excellence Awards program celebrates achievement in our business community with finalists in each category selected from a wide group of nominations. The panel of judges visits all of the finalists and will judge them on the growth and development of their business, customer service, employee relations and community service.

Nominated businesses must have been operating for longer than three years (with the exception of the Rising Star Award) and have a letter from their banker or accountant confirming that they are financially sound.

“It is important for us to recognize our business leaders for their successes and innovations,” says Dominic Petraroia, Managing Partner of Farris’ Kelowna office. “Each of the finalists represents a unique accomplishment that has helped to strengthen the local economy and enrich our community. Congratulations to all of the finalists and we celebrate their achievement.”

The Business Excellence Finalists for 2012:
RISING STAR AWARD (in business less than 3 years)
Sponsored by: FortisBC
• Crescendo
• Optic Signs & Marketing Inc.
• Rock House of Design Inc.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1-10 employees)
Sponsored by: Prospera Credit Union 
• Centralaire Ltd.
• Distinctly Kelowna Tours
• Leone Industries 


MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (11-30 employees)
Sponsored by: BDO Canada LLP
• Plan B Headquarters
• Vineyard Networks

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (31+ employees)
Sponsored by: MacKay LLP  
• Andres TV Sales & Service Ltd.
• JDS Energy & Mining Inc.


COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by: Urban Systems Ltd. 
• Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers Society
• Crossroads Integrative Addiction Services
• Fresh Outlook Foundation
• Kelowna Community Food Bank 


YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
• Joel Kutschera, Vital Waters Inc.
• Sam Shakura, Rock House of Design Inc.
• CJ Wilkins, Optic Signs & Marketing Inc.


BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
The recipient of the prestigious Business Leader of the Year award sponsored by Ian Stuart & Associates will be announced prior to the Awards dinner.

Tickets for the Business Excellence Awards dinner are $85 plus HST per person and can be purchased online. Click here to reserve your seats for this popular event!

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce acts as a single powerful voice for their 1200 members and their 25,000 plus employees to promote local business interests. The Chamber provides a cohesive business network for its members to expand their business contacts, value-added benefits, programs, and services aimed at improving the bottom line of Chamber members. Their mission is to foster a positive business environment by providing members with leadership, advocacy and services of value.

For more information call:
Dicky Dack
Operations Manager
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
250-469-7350
dicky@kelownachamber.org