• On Oct. 23, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2020 Business Excellence Awards Presented by Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union.

     

    BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY VALLEY FIRST

    WINNER - THE MED

    Honourable Mention: Intermezzo Restaurant & Wine Cellar, Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

     

    PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD - SPONSORED BY TOTAL RESTORATION SERVICES

    WINNER - TURNING POINTS COLLABORATIVE SOCIETY

    Honourable Mention: Sterling Centre Remedy's RX Pharmacy, J.C. Tompson Construction, The Bridge Educational Society

     

    SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY FUTURES NORTH OKANAGAN

    WINNER - ANNA'S VITAMINS PLUS

    Honourable Mention: Home For Dinner, Kalamalka General Store, Ritual Barbershop

    Nominees:

    Back to Earth

    Blenz Downtown Vernon

    Bra Heaven

    Bugaboos Bakery Cafe

    Colour Time Ceramic Studio

    Copperfox Interiors

    CrossFit Vernon

    Davidson Operational Stress Recovery Program

    Elice's Printopia

    Envy Apparel

    Farrer Rentals

    Forge Valley Fitness

    Intermezzo Restaurant and Wine Cellar

    Ladies World Fitness

    Peak Printing

    North Okanagan Pumping Service

    Numu Consulting

    OBC Automotive

    Olive Us Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room

    Ratio Coffee and Pastry

    Read Head Studio

    Soul Studio

    The Arcadian Kitchen

    The Starting Block

    The Tile Guy

    Touch of Elegance Studio and Training

    Vernon Teach and Learn

     

    YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY NIXON WENGER LAWYERS

    WINNER - ALYSIA LOR-KNILL, TEASSENTIAL

    Honourable Mention: Mitchal Derksen, Numu Consulting; Elmaz Wilder, Ritual Barbershop, Kayley Letendre, Sugarbees Ice Cream Company

    Nominees:

    Alanna Grant - Whole Healing Nutrition

    Stephanie Mortenson - Family Matters Counselling

    Tanya Nijjar - Tony's Craft Cidery

    Cali Tompson - J.C. Tompson Construction

     

    NON-PROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARD - SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NORTH OKANAGAN

    WINNER - SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL NORTH OKANAGAN

    Honourable Mention: Venture Training, Greater Vernon Museum & Archives, North Okanagan Valley Gleaners

    Nominees:

    Allan Brooks Nature Centre

    Archway Society for Domestic Peace

    B.C. SPCA Vernon Branch

    Habitat for Humanity

    North Okanagan Friendship Centre

    North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association

    Okanagan Boys and Girls Club

    Okanagan Screen Arts Society

    One Hundred Women Vernon

    The Bridge Educational Society

    Together for Christmas

    Turning Points Collaborative Society

    Vernon Community Music School

    Vernon Public Art Gallery

     

    NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY MNP

    WINNER - FILL - VERNON'S REFILL STORE

    Honourable Mention: Bottle None, Boarding House Cafe, Cheese on Wheels

    Nominees:

    Barre Lab 

    Cora Breakfast and Lunch

    Grahame Mechanical Plumbing & Gas

    Hot Bread Shoppe

    Okanagan Life Private Boat Charters/Sip Happens Wine Tours

    Sarah Kennedy - Coldwell Banker Four Seasons Real Estate

    Spirit Leaf Vernon

    Sportclips Vernon

    Sweet Hoopla

    The Wedge Cheesery

    Touch of Elegance Studio and Training

    Vernon Matters

     

    MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY TEKMAR CONTROL SYSTEMS

    WINNER - UNDERGROUND KOMBUCHA

    Honourable Mention: Kekuli Bay Cabinetry, Summit Tiny Homes, Planet Bee Honey Farm

    Nominees: 

    Lake Country Truss

    Summer Farm

     

    INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY TD BANK

    WINNER - THE MED

    Honourable Mention: Caufields Engraving, Turning Points Collaborative Society, Martens Holdings

    Nominees:

    Cotton's Chocolates

    Envy Centre

    Numu Consulting

    Peak Printing

    Sherpa Group Events

    Soul Studio

    The Arcadian Kitchen

     

    EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY CITY OF VERNON

    WINNER - SPROING CREATIVE

    Honourable Mention: Community Futures North Okanagan, Valley First, The Home Depot

    Nominees: 

    Farrer Rentals

    SilverStar Mountain Resort

    Total Restoration

    VegPro/Salade Etcetera

    Vernon Funeral Home

     

    CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD - SPONSORED BY OKANAGAN SPRING BREWERY

    WINNER - STERLING CENTRE REMEDY'S RX PHARMACY

    Honourable Mention: Intermezzo Restaurant & Wine Cellar, Vernon Teach and Learn, Olive Us Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room, Okanagan Restoration

    Nominees:

    Allegria Homes

    Bean to Cup

    Copper & Oak Design

    Edge Apparel & Imprints

    Fountain Tire Vernon

    Okanagan Dance Party

    Okanagan Restoration

    Olympia Cycle & Ski

    Papa Nick's Global Cuisine

    Peak Printing

    Red Door Photographic

    Storage for Your Life

    The Kal

    The Tile Guy

    Trail Tire Vernon

     

    COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY DE VINE VINTNERS

    WINNER - OKANAGAN SPIRITS CRAFT DISTILLERY

    Honourable Mention: The Fig Bistro, Lake City Casino, Vernon Teach and Learn

    Nominees: 

    A&W Vernon

    Armstrong Regional Cooperative

    Designers Gallery

    SilverStar Mountain Resort

    Tenacity Health and Fitness

     

    BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY KAL TIRE

    WINNER - TONY DYCK, OKANAGAN SPIRITS CRAFT DISTILLERY

    Honourable Mention: Brad Pelletier, Predator Ridge Resort; Richard Finn, Wayside; Joe Pearson, Remax

    Nominees:

    Daina Bull - Anna's Vitamins Plus

    Linsey and Jamie Johannson - R.E. Postill & Sons

    Sareena Sharma Nickoli - Soul Studio

     

    Headlining the virtual celebration were guest speakers Jillian Harris, founder and creative director of Jillian Harris Design, former Bachelorette and co-host of Love It Or List It Vancouver; and Ken Holland, Vernon native and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers. And Vernon's Andrew Allen took to the stage and performed while the event MC was Sun FM's very own Betty Selin.

    The theme for the gala was Now More than Ever as the amount of determination, innovation, adaptability and strain the business community has had to endure this year is commendable and should not go unnoticed. Now more than ever, we need to recognize how important local business is to our everyday lives. We hope you celebrate the best in business and non-profits in Greater Vernon. 

  • Thank you sponsors!

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  • CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA 2020

    PRESENTED BY – VALLEY FIRST

    BUSINESS OF THE YEAR SPONSOR - VALLEY FIRST

    • Must have demonstrated a high level of success through:
      • Customer service
      • Growth and profitability
      • Sales and marketing
      • Strategic and tactical planning
      • Employee satisfaction
      • Community Supporter
    • Chosen by the panel of judges from all nominees

     

    PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD SPONSOR - TOTAL RESTORATION SERVICES

    • Chosen by a public vote of all nominees
    • Must be a nominee in one of the 10 categories to be eligible
    • Voting begins September 14th

     

    SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR SPONSOR – COMMUNITY FUTURES

    • Must employ from one to 10 employees
    • Must demonstrate a passion for their business
    • Must be in business for longer than two years
    • Must demonstrate high-quality products or services
    • Must demonstrate excellent customer service

     

    NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR SPONSOR - MNP LLP

    • Must have been in business for less than two years
    • Must have good growth potential
    • Must demonstrate high-quality products or services
    • Must demonstrate excellent customer service

     

    YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR SPONSOR – NIXON WENGER LAWYERS LLP

    • Must have owners below 35 years of age
    • Must demonstrate good growth potential
    • Must demonstrate high-quality products or services
    • Must demonstrate community involvement

     

     INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD SPONSOR – TD BANK

    • Demonstrates product or service innovation through COVID-19
    • Demonstrates innovative solutions to help employees or customers
    • Shows uniqueness through business
    • Non-profits eligible 
    • Must be in business longer than 2 years.​

     

    EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR SPONSOR - CITY OF VERNON

    • Must be nominated by an employee or group of employees
    • Must demonstrate a fair wage and benefits policy
    • Must promote family and workplace balance
    • Must demonstrate open consistent communications with staff
    • Must be in business for longer than two years
    • Must have a minimum of 10 staff

     

    CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD SPONSOR - OKANAGAN SPRING BREWERY

    • Must demonstrate a consistently outstanding level of customer service, product support and after sales service
    • Goes above and beyond to meet customer needs
    • Must be in business for longer than two years

     

    MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR SPONSOR – TEKMAR CONTROL SYSTEMS

    • Must demonstrate a successful ability to manufacture a high quality product
    • Must show innovation through the manufacturing process
    • Must be in business for longer than two years

     

    NON-PROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARD SPONSOR – COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH OKANAGAN

    • This award is presented to the organization that exemplifies excellence and innovation in its programs, projects, and partnerships.
    • Their commitment to growth and expanded programs, as well as service, community involvement, sustainable practices and/or job creation/development.
    • Demonstrates a dedicated focus on achieving its vision and mandate.

     

    COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR SPONSOR - DE VINE VINTNERS

    • An outstanding business in Greater Vernon
    • Significantly contributed to the betterment of the community has a direct positive impact on residents of Greater Vernon
    • Promote staff volunteerism in community organizations
    • Must have provided financial contributions, sponsorships or volunteer hours to the community

     

    BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR SPONSOR – KAL TIRE

    • Individual who must be in business more than 5 years
    • Requires a history of business success, excellence and innovation
    • Must demonstrate commitment and passion for their business
    • Considered a leader in the business community