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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.
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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
- Must have demonstrated a high level of success through: