42nd Annual Business Excellence Awards
Celebrating Greater Vernon's Business Success
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce was proud to host the 42nd Annual Business Excellence Awards on Thursday, October 22nd. It was a vibrant evening that began with a Cocktail Hour from 6 to 7, followed by the much-anticipated announcement of this year’s winners across 19 categories — celebrating the outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals that make our community thrive.
Highlights from this years' event
2026 Nominees
Large Business of the Year
Award sponsored by MNP
Winner: KingFisher Boats
Nominees:
| Canadian Mental Health Association |
| KingFisher Boats |
| Okanagan Spring Brewery |
Employer of the Year
Award sponsored by City of Vernon
Winner: Agile Bookkeeping
Nominees:
| Agile Bookkeeping |
| Little Miracles Preschool |
| Orchard Valley Retirement Residence |
| Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Services |
Medium Business of the Year
Award sponsored byDuMoulin Boskovich LLP
Winner: Little Miracles Preschool
Nominees:
| Keith Dahlen Construction Ltd |
| Little Miracles Preschool |
| Quality Inn and Suites Vernon |
| Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Services |
| White House Mortgages |
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Award Sponsored by Nixon Wenger LLP
Winner: Farrow Built
Nominees:
| Farrow Built |
| IG Wealth Management - Angela Moore & Megan Edwards |
| S&S Group Services Construction Company |
| Simon's Coins Ltd |
| The Collar Club |
Small Business of the Year
Award sponsored by Community Futures North Okanagan
Winner: KT Fairglass Ltd
Nominees:
| 6K Soap |
| AH HA! Marketing |
| CrossFit Vernon |
| Dr. Phone Fix |
| ECOTECTURE |
| FILL Vernon's Refill Store |
| KT Fairglass Ltd |
| Odynn Performance Therapy |
| Oopsie Daisy Flowers, Gifts and Baskets |
| Printech Corp |
| RISE Gymnastics Academy |
| S&S Group Services Construction Company |
| Spiritleaf Vernon |
| Touch of Elegance Studio and Training |
Business Leader of the Year
Award sponsored by TD Benefits
Winner: Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Services
Nominees:
| ECOTECTURE |
| Spiritleaf Vernon |
| Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Services |
Diversity Excellence
Award sponsored by Kal Tire
Winner: Orchard Valley Retirement Residence
Nominees:
| Agile Bookkeeping |
| Orchard Valley Retirement Residence |
Retail Business of the Year
Award sponsored by Downtown Vernon Association
Winner: FILL Vernon's Refill Store
Nominees:
| FILL Vernon's Refill Store |
| Olive Us Oil & Vinegar |
| Oopsie Daisy Flowers, Gifts and Baskets |
| Spiritleaf Vernon |
Non-Profit Excellence
Award sponsored by Community Foundation North Okanagan
Winner: Community Futures North Okanagan
Nominees:
| Community Dental Access Centre |
| Community Futures North Okanagan |
| Diversity Den Society |
| Halina Activity Centre |
| NexusBC Community Resource Centre |
| North Okanagan Hospice Society |
| Pup-n-Cup Cafe & Shop |
| Salvation Army Vernon |
| Vernon Farmers Market |
Customer Service Excellence
Award sponsored by Kelowna International Airport
Winner: Raising Stars Preschool
Nominees:
| Blacktop Maintenance Ltd |
| Let's Talk Communication |
| Magnetsigns Vernon |
| Oopsie Daisy Flowers, Baskets and Gifts |
| Pawsitively Canine Dog Training Services |
| Raising Stars Preschool |
| Relate Janitorial Services Inc |
| Spiritleaf Vernon |
| The Pilates Health Hub |
| The Room Collection |
| The Silver Citizen |
| Touch of Elegance Studio and Training |
| Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Services |
Trades Business of the Year
Award sponsored by Scotiabank
Winner: Hey, It's Dave! - Professional Painting Services
Nominees:
| Brightside Landscaping |
| Farrow Built |
| Hey, It's Dave! - Professional Painting Services |
| S&S Group Services Construction Company |
| Soakanagan Property Service Ltd |
| Unity and Light Electric Inc |
| Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Services |
Tourism Excellence
Award sponsored by Tourism Vernon
Winner: Friends of the Okanagan Rail Trail (FORT)
Nominees:
| Allan Brooks Nature Centre |
| Friends of Okanagan Rail Trail (FORT) |
| Quality Inn and Suites Vernon |
| Vernon Farmers Market |
Restaurant of the Year
Award sponsored by Okanagan Spring Brewery
Winner: Intermezzo Restaurant
Nominees:
| Cora Breakfast and Lunch Vernon |
| Intermezzo Restaurant |
| Sushi Kawa |
Professional Business of the Year
Award sponsored by TD Bank
Winner: White House Mortgages
Nominees:
| ECOTECTURE |
| Â IG Wealth Management -Chris Hodgkinson & Sattu Mahapatra |
| Mandi Irmen Art |
| Oopsie Daisy Flowers, Gifts and Baskets |
| Raising Stars Preschool |
| White House Mortgages |
New Business of the Year
Award sponsored by Tolko Industries
Winner: Hardcore Cider Co.
Nominees:
| Automated Businesses Corporation |
| Back Nine Golf |
| Brightside Landscaping |
| Hardcore Cider Co. |
| Mezzo Market |
| Nuvel Skin and Laser |
| Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Vernon Inc. |
| Rose Moon Books |
| Simon's Coins Ltd |
| StrongHER Kickboxing & Self-Defense |
| TJH Insurance Advisor |
| Vernon Voltage & Gas Fitting |
| Vinterra Wellness |
Agri-Business Excellence
Award sponsored by Armstrong Regional Coop
Winner: Davison Orchard Ltd
Nominees:
Davison Orchard Ltd
*NEW* Health & Wellness in the Workplace
Award sponsored by CMHA
Winner: Orchard Valley Retirement Residence
Nominees:
| Cedar & Soak |
| DEEM Health Plus Fitness |
| Orchard Valley Retirement Residence |
| Tidal Elements Healing Arts Studio |
People's Choice Awards
Award sponsored by Total Restoration Services
Business Winner: Vinterra Wellness
Non-Profit Winner: Halina Activity Centre
Chamber Champion Award
Award sponsored by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce
Winner: Oopsie Daisy Flowers, Baskets and Gifts
This year, we are delighted to recognize Tammy Robinson Brown of Oopsie Daisy Flowers for her generous support of the Chamber. Almost every month, Tammy donates one of her beautiful floral arrangements as a Business After Five door prize, bringing colour, joy and excitement to our events. Her generosity, creativity and commitment to giving back truly make a difference. Recently, Tammy took her support a step further by joining the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, volunteering her time and experience to help support our members. Tammy, thank you for everything you bring to our Chamber community!
Photo credit: Peter Solymosi
Thank You Sponsors
