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

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
 

Headlining the virtual celebration are guest speakers Jillian Harris, star of Love It Or List It Vancouver and The Bachelor, and Ken Holland, Vernon native and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers. And Vernon's Andrew Allen will take to the stage and perform.

But all of the excitement will be focused on the unveiling of the winners in 10 distinct categories. Those in attendance will also learn the winners of the People's Choice Award and the Business of the Year honour. 

Registration is $15 and attendees will receive 

• A registration link given out closer to the event
• a bottle of wine from De Vine Vintners for pickup (first 240 registrations)
• A discount code for 20% off The Med Express Vernon
• A chance to win a stay at Halcyon Hot Springs.

The theme for the gala is 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 will join us in celebrating the best in business and non-profits in Greater Vernon. 

 

 

THE NOMINEES FOR 2020 ARE:

 

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

Anna's Vitamins Plus

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

Home for Dinner

Intermezzo Restaurant and Wine Cellar

Kal Lake General Store/Rail Trail Cafe

Ladies World Fitness

Peak Printing

North Okanagan Pumping Service

Numu Consulting

OBC Automotive

Olive Us Oils & Vinegar Tasting

Ratio Coffee and Pastry

Read Head Studio

Ritual Barbershop

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

Mitchal Derksen - Numu Consulting

Alanna Grant - Whole Healing Nutrition

Kayley Letendre - Sugarbees Ice Cream

Alysia Lor-Knill - Teassential

Stephanie Mortenson - Family Matters Counselling

Tanya Nijjar - Tony's Craft Cidery

Cali Tompson - J.C. Tompson Construction

Elmaz Wilder - Ritual Barbershop

 

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

Allan Brooks Nature Centre

Archway Society for Domestic Peace

B.C. SPCA Vernon Branch

Greater Vernon Museum and Archives

Habitat for Humanity

North Okanagan Friendship Centre

North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association

North Okanagan Valley Gleaners

Okanagan Boys and Girls Club

Okanagan Screen Arts Society

One Hundred Women Vernon

Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan

The Bridge Educational Society

Together for Christmas

Turning Points Collaborative Society

Venture Training

Vernon Community Music School

Vernon Public Art Gallery

 

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY MNP

Barre Lab 

Bottle None

Cheese on Wheels

Cora Breakfast and Lunch

Fill - Vernon's Refill Store

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 Boarding House Cafe

The Wedge Cheesery

Touch of Elegance Studio and Training

Vernon Matters

 

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY TEKMAR CONTROL SYSTEMS

Kekuli Bay Cabinetry

Lake Country Truss

Planet Bee Honey Farm and Honeymoon Meadery

Summer Farm

Summit Tiny Homes

UnderGround Kombucha

 

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY TD BANK

Cotton's Chocolates

Envy Centre

Caufields Engraving

Martens Holdings

Numu Consulting

Peak Printing

Sherpa Group Events

Soul Studio

The Arcadian Kitchen

The Med

Turning Points Collaborative Society

 

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY CITY OF VERNON

Community Futures North Okanagan

Farrer Rentals

SilverStar Mountain Resort

Sproing Creative

The Home Depot Vernon

Total Restoration

Valley First Credit Union

VegPro/Salade Etcetera

Vernon Funeral Home

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD - SPONSORED BY OKANAGAN SPRING BREWERY

Allegria Homes

Bean to Cup

Copper & Oak Design

Edge Apparel & Imprints

Fountain Tire Vernon

Intermezzo Restaurant and Wine Cellar

Okanagan Dance Party

Okanagan Restoration

Olive Us Olive Oil & Tasting Room

Olympia Cycle & Ski

Papa Nick's Global Cuisine

Peak Printing

Red Door Photographic

Sterling Centre Remedy's RX Pharmacy

Storage for Your Life

The Kal

The Tile Guy

Trail Tire Vernon

Vernon Teach and Learn

 

COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY DE VINE VINTNERS

A&W Vernon

Armstrong Regional Cooperative

Designers Gallery

Lake City Casino Vernon

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

SilverStar Mountain Resort

Tenacity Health and Fitness

The Fig

Vernon Teach and Learn

 

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR - SPONSORED BY KAL TIRE

Daina Bull - Anna's Vitamins Plus

Tony Dyck - Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

Richard Finn - Wayside

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

Joe Pearson - Remax

Brad Pelletier - Predator Ridge

Sareena Sharma Nickoli - Soul Studio

Keep your eyes open for People's Choice voting beginning Sept 14 

On Oct 23, 2020, the winners of these coveted awards will be revealed during a virtual ceremony

*** The nominees in 10 categories are ultimately based on completed forms from the nominees. We thank the public for all of the nominations we received. People's Choice is selected through an online, public vote, and Business of the Year is selected by a panel of judges among all nominations***

*Past winners from previous 2 years are ineligible to win in the same category.

 

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