Kelowna Chamber 2025 Business Excellence Award Winners Announced
Kelowna: Four hundred business and community leaders were on hand as Troika was named the 2025 Large Business of the Year at the 38th Annual Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards on Thursday night at the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort. Troika was founded by CEO Renee Merrifield in 2000. Merrifield was Kelowna’s first woman developer, creating some of the city’s most innovative communities. Troika has delivered more than 3,000 homes, developed 1,200 acres of land, and created 300,000 square feet of commercial space from Kelowna to Merritt, Prince George, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg.
Other category award winners include Days Century Farms (Agriculture); Roobear Kids (Rising Star), and SYNC Robotics (Tech Innovator). A complete list of award recipients is below.
“I always hear about companies new to me at the Business Excellence gala,” said Derek Gratz, Chamber President. “This year’s awards were no exception, with some hardworking newcomers winning awards alongside some Kelowna companies we’re all familiar with. In every case, the judges rewarded outstanding excellence, and it was a tough assignment, given the remarkable results and community support all the finalists achieved in this past year.”
“Troika is committed to housing diversity, sustainable design, and community building – all thoughtfully designed. Trying to help to solve the housing crisis, one home at a time,” says Merrifield. “It’s all about the team.”
Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas helped open the celebration, congratulating nominees, winners, and especially the 2025 Business Leader of the Year, Michael J. Ballingall of Big White Ski Resort.
The Memorial Cup was also on display at the gala, garnering lots of selfies, and oohs and aahs from guests. The Chamber themed its 38th annual awards gala “A Night of Champions” to honour the upcoming Memorial Cup coming to Kelowna in May 2026. The chamber is working closely with the Memorial Cup team as the Chamber prepares to celebrate its 120th anniversary throughout 2026.
Photos for Large Business of the Year and Business Leader of the Year awards will be available Friday morning, October 31 and will be sent to media. For more information or to obtain additional photos please contact Allie Becker, Chamber Administrative Assistant at allie@kelownachamber.org.
Additional photographs will be available after November 3, 2025.
2025 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by MNP
Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, Big White Ski Resort Ltd.
Excellence in Agriculture
Sponsored by TD Benefits
Days Century Growers Inc.
Excellence in Arts & Entertainment
Sponsored by Hergott Law
D.K. Productions
Excellence in Business Ethics
Sponsored by Better Business Bureau
Vinyl Pursuit Inc.
Excellence in Community Impact
Sponsored by Rogers Business
Kelowna Women’s Shelter
Excellence in Environmental Impact
Sponsored by Okanagan College School of Business
Kimco Controls
Excellence in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Sponsored by Coast Capital Savings
Harmony Chiropractic & Wellness
Excellence in Not-for-Profit
Sponsored by KGH Foundation
The Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA)
Excellence in Tourism
Sponsored by Tourism Kelowna
Big White Ski Resort Ltd.
Indigenous Business of the Year
Sponsored by Pushor Mitchell LLP
Kekuli Café Coffee-West Kelowna
Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by Doane Grant Thornton
Troika
Mid-size Business of the Year
Sponsored by Edmonton International Airport - YEG & Kelowna International Airport - YLW
GreenStep Solutions Inc.
Rising Star Business of the Year
Sponsored by Argus Properties
Roobear Kids
Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Prospera Credit Union
Pine Lighting
Technology Innovator of the Year
Sponsored by University of British Columbia Okanagan
SYNC Robotics Inc.
Top Sales Professional of the Year (Inaugural)
Sponsored by VanCity
Shannon Stone – RE/MAX Stone Sisters
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by Norelco Cabinets
Mitchell Goodwin-GW Hoops