KELOWNA, - Twenty-seven finalists will be honoured at the 30th Annual Business Excellence Awards on October 12th at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. The finalists are competing to take home 9 awards in their respective categories. Business Leader of the Year will also be "crowned", for a total of 10 trophies handed out throughout the evening. The event,  presented by Platinum Sponsors the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, promises to be the Kelowna Chamber's best one yet.
 
Upon reviewing their Business Excellence Awards Program leading up to the roll out of the 30th anniversary, the Kelowna Chamber decided it was time to rotate their sector-specific awards.  "With such a diverse industry here, we felt it was time to shine a light on some of the other well-deserving sectors that are helping to place Kelowna on the map," advised Dan Rogers, Executive Director of the Kelowna Chamber. 
 
"We were pleased to see businesses applying that have not participated in the past, perhaps because they believed they didn't fit into the previous categories".
 
The shift in the program proved to be successful in garnering new interest from hopeful businesses, with a total of 162 nominations received and over half of those completing the packages to enter the competition.
 
After a grueling adjudication process, the 8 independent judges shortlisted the 81 applicants to their 27 finalists.
 
All of the finalists will be profiled on October 12th, at the Chamber's largest event of the year, taking place from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. 
 
Everyone is welcome to attend, but tickets must be purchased in advance. 
 
The Business Excellence Finalists for 2017:
 
 RISING STAR AWARD
 
Current Taxi
Flask Social House - FSH 
Purppl
 
Sponsored by:  Urban Systems Ltd.
 
 
SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1-15 employees)
 
Hybrid Elevator
Okanagan Wine Country Tours
Prime Physiotherapy
 
Sponsored by:  Prospera Credit Union
 
 
MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (16-50 employees)
 
Lakeside Medicine Centre
Mission Group
NewCap Radio
 
Sponsored by:  BDO Canada LLP
 
 
SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
 
The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society
CRIS Adaptive Adventures
Volinspire
 
Sponsored by:  Interior Savings Credit Union
 
 
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 
 
Andrew Gaucher, GGroup Land Development
Meagan Hughes, Cottage Quilting
Jared Lee & Devon Murray, Central Kitchen + Bar
           
Sponsored by:  Kelowna International Airport - YLW
 
 
EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARD
 
BC Tree Fruits
Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm
Old Meadows Organic Farm  
       
Sponsored by:  TBD
 
 
MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR AWARD
 
CREW
McKinley Beach
Okanagan Basin Water Board
                 
Sponsored by:  Pushor Mitchell LLP
 
 
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
 
Ballet Kelowna 
Rotary Centre for the Arts
Wentworth Music
                 
Sponsored by:  Hergott Law
 
 
LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (51+ employees)
 
Chances Kelowna
Northside Industries
Rona Home & Garden Kelowna
 
Sponsored by:  Grant Thornton LLP
 
 
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
 
The recipient of the prestigious Business Leader of the Year award sponsored by MNP LLP will be announced prior to the Awards dinner.
 
Ticket Prices:  Early bird price $125.00 plus GST - available only until 11:59 pm on October 1st.  Following that date, ticket prices will increase. Ticket sales will close at 4 pm on October 6.  Click here to reserve your seats for this popular event!