2013 Business Excellence Winners Announced

Media Release
October 24, 2013

2013 Business Excellence Recipients Announced

KELOWNA, BC – The recipients of the nine 2013 Business Excellence Awards were announced last evening (October 23) at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort & Conference Centre as the 26 finalists, their guests and community leaders celebrated 26 years of business excellence in Kelowna.

Andre Blanleil, Owner, Andres Electronic Experts, was honoured as the 2013 Business Leader of the Year, the prestigious award sponsored by Ian Stuart & Associates.

New for 2013 – Green Innovator Award – sponsored by Interior Savings Credit Union

            Recipient - Campion Marine Inc.

            Finalists – GreenStep Solutions Inc., UBC Okanagan

New for 2013 – Hospitality/Tourism Award – sponsored by Tourism Kelowna

Recipient – The View Winery

            Finalists – Ancient Hill Winery, Arlo’s Honey Farm

Okanagan Home Magazine Inc. (Justin O’Connor and Christy Hughes) was the recipient of the 2013 Rising Star award sponsored by FortisBC. This award is for companies that have been in business less than three years.
 Finalists:  Cheeky Monkey Media, The Hot Box Yoga Kelowna

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by UBC Okanagan
Recipient: Kylie Sutton, Moksha Yoga Kelowna

Finalists: Justin O’Connor of Okanagan Home Magazine Inc., Stephen Writing of StreetText

Community Impact Award sponsored by Urban Systems
Recipient: The Society of Hope

Finalists: Accelerate Okanagan, Metro Community, United Way of the Central & South Okanagan Similkameen

Small Business Award (1 - 10 employees) sponsored by Prospera Credit Union
Recipient: Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc. (Lucas Griffen)

Finalists: Mission Meats, Yeti Farm Creative

Mid-Size Business Award (11 - 30 employees) sponsored by BDO Canada LLP 
Recipient: Hydraclean Restoration Services Ltd. (Mark Gotro)

Finalists: Artistech Newmedia Inc., Bouchons Bistro, Prestige Collision

Large Business Award (31+ employees) sponsored by MacKay LLP
Recipient: Wentworth Music (Dale Wentworth)
Finalists: Northside Industries

“We salute those who have recognized a business opportunity, seized it and prospered,” says Dave Bond, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce President.  “The accomplishments and dedication of all the finalists honoured last evening are impressive and their stories inspire us all.  We are proud of the contributions these exceptional business leaders have made in our community.”

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 20 – 26, 2013).

For the past 34 years, Small Business Week® has paid tribute to Canadian entrepreneurs and created opportunities for them to share success stories and innovative ideas with the active participation of members of the Chambers of Commerce and BDC branches across the country.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce acts as a single powerful voice for their 1200 members and their 25,000 plus employees to promote local business interests. The Chamber provides a cohesive business network for its members to expand their business contacts, value-added benefits, programs, and services aimed at improving the bottom line of Chamber members. Their mission is to foster a positive business environment by providing members with leadership, advocacy and services of value.

For more information call:

Dicky Dack
Operations Manager

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce

250-469-7350

dicky@kelownachamber.org