NEWS RELEASE
November 26, 2020

Business Excellence Award Winners Announced

Kelowna: The winners are announced in the Kelowna Chamber’s 33rd Annual Business Excellence Awards gala event. All winners were celebrated and announced in a virtual online event hosted at SW Events Technology in Kelowna Thursday night at 5:00 p.m. Messages from sponsors and the community were part of the gala event.

Highstreet Ventures was the winner in the Large Business of the Year category, always one that attracts a lot of attention. Highstreet, which hopes to achieve a net zero energy rating by 2024 has won before in the Awards, but at smaller business categories. And, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year is a true success story: Brandon Panopoulos only joined TKI Construction in 2017, now owns the firm and is using his experience to build notable projects in and around the Okanagan.

Local singer and songwriter Joshua Smith topped the evening off with several songs off his latest album as the Chamber took the opportunity to spotlight excellence in the arts community as part of the gala. “We keep saying, ‘it’s a year like no other’”, said Jeffrey Robinson, in his remarks at the gala.

“We are honoured to be able to continue spotlighting businesses in this year of Celebrating Resilience – all the nominated businesses and all the finalists, as well as the winners have shown grit, innovation and a generosity of spirt toward their employees and the community. We’re proud to be associated with this stellar group which forms the backbone of our social fabric.”

Tracy Gray, MP, Kelowna-Lake Country: “Congratulations and thank you for making our community a wonderful place to live and work. Especially, as we all come together during this extraordinary time.”

Mayor Colin Basran: “Congratulations to all the nominees. This year more than ever, your successes are truly impressive and show once again how resilient and resourceful our large and small businesses can be. Once again, congratulations to the award winners, and thank you for choosing Kelowna as your home.”

Ted Schisler, Senior VP & Chief Operating Officer, ISCU: “Interior Savings is proud to be a co-presenting sponsor of the 2020 Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards and proud to support thousands of businesses throughout the Interior of BC. Congratulations to all the nominees and to the award winners. Your peers in the business community have recognized you for your hard work and going above
and beyond. Your excellence in building and operating your businesses makes a significant contribution to our community. Thank you for everything you do.”

Aaron Dow, Partner, Farris LLP: “On behalf of Farris LLP, we are thrilled to be a co-sponsor of the Annual Business Excellence Awards. In a year of adversity, it is especially important that we take a moment to celebrate success. . . good luck to the nominees!”

Chamber Executive Director Dan Rogers: “We’re delighted at so many joining us in our virtual audience for this year’s big event. These deserving businesses are the reason the Chamber is celebrating its 115th year next year: their very existence means we can be here to help with advocacy, offer benefits and help them make connections. Rough as 2020 has been, tonight has been a true highlight proving the system still works – and works well.”


For more information:
Dan Rogers, Executive Director
250-469-7356
dan@kelownachamber.org


BACKGROUND
A full list of 2020 nominees, award criteria and past winners may be found here: https://www.kelownachamber.org/events-programs/business-excellence-awards/


A full list of 2020 finalists may be found here:
https://www.kelownachamber.org/news/post/541/Virtual_Celebration_of_Chamber_Finalists_Kelowna_Chamber_2020_Business_Excellence_Awards/


To view videos about all the Finalists & Winners:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtKqMFQSud0U-xC1HXxX4bA


WINNERS – BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2020
 

Arts & Entertainment Achievement Award
Sponsor: Hergott Law
Kelowna Pride Society

Rising Star Business of the Year Award
Sponsor: GreenStep Solutions
Shambhu’s Spice House Cuisine of India

Marketing Campaign of the Year Award
Sponsor: Pushor Mitchell LLP
Okanagan Bucketlist

Social Leadership Award
Sponsor: Rogers for Business
Secure-Rite Mobile Storage

Ethics in Business Award
Sponsor: Better Business Bureau
Inspire Property Management Ltd.

Not-for-Profit Excellence Award
Sponsor: Impact Tomorrow Foundation
The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society

Technology Innovator of the Year Award
Sponsor: University of BC Okanagan
Hybrid Elevator Inc.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsor: TD Benefits Solutions
Brandon Panopoulos from TKI Construction Ltd.

Excellence in Tourism Award
Sponsor: YLW & EIA International Airports
Big White Ski Resort Ltd

Inclusive Workplace Award
Sponsor: Crowe Mackay LLP
Hampton Pools & Landscape

Small Business of the Year Award
Sponsor: Prospera Credit Union
portia-ella

Midsize Business of the Year Award
Sponsor: BDO LLP
Secure-Rite Mobile Storage

Large Business of the Year Award
Sponsor: Grant Thornton LLP
Highstreet Ventures Inc.

Business Leader of the Year
Laurel Douglas