2014 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

KELOWNA, BC – Twenty-five finalists will be honoured at the 27th Annual Business Excellence Awards on October 21st at the Coast Capri Hotel where nine 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 19-25, 2014).

“As we celebrate the 27th 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.

The Business Excellence Finalists for 2014:

RISING STAR AWARD

• Mission Creek Orthodontics
• Wink I Wear Inc.

Sponsored by: FortisBC

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

• KGH Foundation
• The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society

Sponsored by: Urban Systems Ltd.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Guiseppe Simpatico, GoodSir Creative Inc.

• Dr. Derek Pollard, Mission creek Orthodontics

• David Veldhoen, Shorestone Homes Ltd.

Sponsored by: UBC Okanagan

ECO-STAR INNOVATION AWARD

• GreenStep Solutions Inc.
• Okanagan Car Share Co-op

Sponsored by: Interior Savings Credit Union

DISTINCTION IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARD

• Okanagan Wine Country Tours
• Wells Gray Tours Ltd.
• WildPlay Element Parks

Sponsored by: Tourism Kelowna

MARKETER OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Get in the Loop
• Juice FM, Vista Radio
• Twin Creek Media Inc.

Sponsored by: Pushor Mitchell LLP

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1-10 employees)

• Cellar-Tek Supplies Ltd.
• Interior Portable Rentals
• Lyman Lures Manufacturing Ltd.

Sponsored by: Prospera Credit Union

MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (11-30 employees)

• AAA Internet Publishing Inc. (DBA WTFast).
• Border Plumbing, Heating and Air
• Building Blocks Educational Daycare.

Sponsored by: BDO Canada LLP

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (31+ employees)

• Boyd Autobody & Glass
• Northside Industries
• SW Audio + Visual
• Waterplay Solutions Corp.

Sponsored by: Grant Thornton LLP

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.

Ticket Prices: Earlybird price $95.00 plus GST to 4 pm Oct. 14. After that date, ticket prices are $125 plus GST. 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

250-469-7355

dicky@kelownachamber.org