Thirty-five finalists will be honoured at the 28th Annual Business Excellence Awards on October 21 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort where eleven category recipients will be announced, along with the Business Leader of the Year recipient.

Presented by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and Platinum Sponsors the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP, the popular Kelowna event is part of the annual Small Business Week® activities (October 18-24, 2015).

“As we celebrate the 28th anniversary of the Business Excellence Awards and recognize this talented group of entrepreneurs, we are impressed with the depth and breadth of Kelowna’s dynamic business community,” says Caroline Grover, CEO for the Kelowna Chamber. “We are equally inspired by the innovation and tenacity demonstrated by the finalists and their companies.”
The Business Excellence Awards program celebrates achievement in our business community with finalists in each category selected from a wide group of nominations. The panel of judges visits all of the finalists and will judge them on the growth and development of their business, customer service, employee relations and community service.
The Business Excellence Finalists for 2015:

 RISING STAR AWARD

  • Cottage Quilting Ltd.
  • Express Employment Professionals
  • Float Space
 
Sponsored by: FortisBC

 MICRO BUSINESS AWARD (1-3 employees)

  • CareSmart Seniors Consulting
  • Magnetix Matchmaking
  • Meadow Vista Honey Wines
 
Sponsored by: Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board

 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (4-15 employees)

  • Bellamy Homes
  • Giobean – Coffee the Italian Way
  • Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery
 
Sponsored by: Prospera Credit Union

MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (16-50 employees)

  • Ecora Engineering & Resource Group
  • Edgecombe Builders Group
  • SK Form & Finish Inc.
  • Yeti Farm Creative
Sponsored by: BDO Canada LLP

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD

  • Arion Therapeutic Farm
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Open For Change
Sponsored by: Urban Systems Ltd.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

  • AJ Hazzi, Vantage West Realty Inc.
  • Yuriko Larson, Vintage Origami
  • Shane Pizzey, Aspire Health & Performance
 

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

  • 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
  • St. Hubertus Estate Winery
  • Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Sponsored by: Interior Savings Credit Union

DISTINCTION IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARD

  • BC Golfguide.com
  • Hotel Eldorado
  • Urban Distilleries
Sponsored by: Tourism Kelowna

MARKETER OF THE YEAR AWARD

  • marketer inc.
  • Smart Betty Media
  • McManus Marketing & Communications
Sponsored by: Pushor Mitchell LLP

TECHNOLOGY/INNOVATION AWARD

  • QHR Technologies Inc.
  • QuestUpon
  • TELUS
Sponsored by: UBC Okanagan

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (51+ employees)

  • BigSteelBox Corporation
  • Emil Anderson Construction
  • KF Aerospace
  • Sun-Rype Products Ltd.
 
Sponsored by:Grant Thornton LLP
 
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
The recipient of the prestigious Business Leader of the Year award sponsored by MNP LLPwill be announced prior to the Awards dinner.
 
Ticket Prices: Early bird price $100.00 plus GST to 4 pm Oct. 9. After that date, ticket prices are $125 plus GST. Ticket sales will close at 4 pm Oct. 16.  Click here to reserve your seats for this popular event!