Since 1986, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing local businesses for outstanding achievement. Now more than ever, the local business community can use your support.
From start-ups to local legends, the awards shine a light on hard-working businesses, business-people and community leaders in 16 categories worth celebrating. Finalists are selected by an independent selection committee.
Award season officially kicks off with our Media Launch, after which we start taking nominations! From that date, the community has until May 30th to nominate their favourite businesses for the awards.
Nominees are honored and announced at our Nomination Breakfast on June 3rd. After that, nominees must submit their Nomination packages to be sent to our independent selection committee.
Nominee scores are compiled, and finalists announced at our Live finalist announcement with our premiere sponsor, MNP LLP!
Finally, it’s time for the awards! Our Award Ceremony this year will be held in person on October 27th, where all finalists are recognized and winners crowned.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, members and community partners. It is with your ongoing and generous support for the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, we can adapt and celebrate local business in Kamloops.
Can’t make it to the in-person event? Don’t worry – you can cheer on the #KamBiz community from the comfort of your home. Livestream link will be available closer to the date!
Important Dates:
April 6th to May 30th – Nominations open!
June 3rd– Nomination Breakfast Announcement
June 3rd to June 24th– Nominee Submissions
July 21st– Finalists Announcement with MNP
July 21st to September 9th– Finalists are interviewed
October 27th– The Business Excellence Awards Gala!
Curious about last year’s winners and finalists? Click here to see our annual report with the full list!
General Award Criteria
- Any for-profit, non-government-owned business or individual may be nominated for any award category, with the exception of Not-for-Profit of the Year.
- Not-for-profit organizations (excluding governments) may be nominated for the Environmental Leadership Award, Development of the Year, Innovation Award, Inclusive Leadership Award and Not-for-Profit of the Year.
- Businesses must have a valid business license. Not-for-profits must have valid incorporation or charity number.
- Nominee must have been in business for a minimum of three years, with the exception of the Emerging Business of the Year Award category and Development of the Year category.
- Organizations, businesses or individuals may not nominate themselves for any award.
- Award winners may not be nominated in the same category for three years following their win, but can be nominated and win in other categories.
- Current Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Elected Officials may not be nominated.
- Are within the City of Kamloops and 60km of the boundaries of the City of Kamloops, and are not currently serviced by another Chamber which has an awards program.
Abbott Wealth Management – Harbourfront Wealth Management Business Person of the Year Award
This Kamloops-area business person must:
- Be the founder, owner, CEO, President or Senior Executive of a company(ies)
- Demonstrate positive economic and/or social impact on the region
- Exemplify civic community leadership through company and/or volunteer efforts
- A personal reputation of outstanding commitment to the betterment of the community and enhancing the lives of those around them.
- Optional – Supply a letter from 1 mentor OR employee supporting the nomination
City of Kamloops Community Service Award
This Kamloops-based business has:
- Chosen to participate, support and engage in initiatives that enhance the quality of life and wellbeing in the community and supports these activities with time, investment and/or other resources.
- Developed a corporate culture of community/giving and supports community building efforts unrelated to their core mandate.
- A reputation of outstanding commitment to the betterment of the community and enhancing the lives of those around them.
- Optional – Provide 1 letter of support for the nomination from a not for profit, service agency, sports association, etc. That has benefit from the company’s support.
CFDC of CIFN Employer of the Year Award
This Kamloops-area business must demonstrate:
- Exceptional commitment to employees through competitive employment packages
- Dedication to provide professional development and/or advancement opportunities
- Pride in intentional workplace culture and focus on work/life balance, in addition to employee recognition and rewards programs
- Minimum of 5 Full Time Employees
Rocky Mountaineer Environmental Leadership Award
This Kamloops-area business or not for profit organization demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental leadership in three or more of the following categories.
- The following categories for consideration would include:
- Waste prevention
- Recycling, re-purposing, re-using, circular economy
- Purchasing and procurement policies
- Energy and water conservation
- Transportation
- Operations
- Stakeholder engagement and participation in development of environmental policies
- Other as explained by the nominee
- Relevant contributions outlined in the nomination shall be ongoing and have occurred within the 12 months prior to the date of the nomination.
Open Door Group Inclusive Leadership Award
This Kamloops-area employer can:
- Explain the intentions of their overall inclusivity and diversity efforts and their impacts
- This can be illustrated as broad statistics or as a specific single success story
- Showcase how they are changing the culture of the workplace and community
- Demonstrate examples of how they make positive change
- Explain what Inclusive Leadership means to them
- Employers of all sizes are encouraged to apply, whether private, public or not for profit sector.
Venture Kamloops Small Business of the Year Award
This Kamloops-area, non franchised business, with 1 – 10 full time employees, has demonstrated success through:
- Commitment to providing quality products and or services with a wealth of knowledge for customer/client benefit
- Proven ability to demonstrate innovation and creativity, within business operations and/or organizational problem solving
- Ability to develop excellent relationships with employees, vendors, suppliers and customers
- Stable business operations or solid business plan ideas for growth strategy
Andre’s Electronic Experts Retailer of the Year Award
This Kamloops-area business that is primarily involved in selling retail goods must:
- Demonstrate providing superior customer service and creativity in reaching target markets
- Demonstrate a strong customer service training program
- Have a reputation of excellent product knowledge
- Demonstrate a commitment to providing quality products
Kamloops & District Chamber Service Provider 1-10 Staff Award
This Kamloops-area business with 1-10 staff must:
- Demonstrate a proven track record of providing superior service to assist clients in achieving their own objectives
- Have a comprehensive, ongoing employee training program
- Offer a unique value proposition and major strengths amongst competition
- Explain overall commitment to its customers
- Has consistently innovated and can demonstrate how they stay ahead of the curve
Kamloops This Week Service Provider 11+ Staff Award
This Kamloops-area business with 11+ staff must:
- Demonstrate a proven track record of providing superior service to assist clients in achieving their own objectives
- Have a comprehensive, ongoing employee training program
- Offer a unique value proposition and major strengths amongst competition
- Explain overall commitment to its customers
- Has consistently innovated and can demonstrate how they stay ahead of the curve
British Columbia Lottery Corporation Innovation Award
This Kamloops-area business or not-for-profit must:
- Have a proven record of thriving by adopting, developing and/or creating tools or technology within key areas of organizational operations including:
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Information Technology, communications
- Marketing, communications
- Service experience
- Human resources and people management
- Professional services
- Creative services
- Instills a culture of innovation and continual learning within the organization.
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Excellence in Trades Award
This Kamloops-area business is involved in the trades and has demonstrated success through:
- Provides trades-industry services including:
- Automotive
- Electrical – Construction, Industrial
- Instrumentation and Control
- Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
- Heavy Mechanical
- Piping Trades – Plumbing, Steam fitting, Pipefitting, Sprinkler fitting
- Power Engineering
- Welding
- Other as demonstrated by the nominee
- Exhibiting a history of excellence in the area of workplace safety
- A positive reputation of integrity and leadership within the industry
- Provides a quality, certified service and actively seeks ways to enhance offerings
- Excellent client and/or employee relationships
Community Futures Thompson Country Emerging Business of the Year Award
This Kamloops-area non franchised business or start up has:
- Been in operation between 1 and 3 years
- Demonstrated proactive and innovation leadership within their business or industry
- Demonstrated measurable success, growth, or promise as a business and/or as an employer
- Practiced good corporate citizenship and made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment as an employer.
- Developed expanding positive reputation and has good growth potential
- Demonstrates stable operations
- Demonstrates community involvement and activity (engagement)
- Demonstrates willingness to engage with the business community
Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Nominee must:
- Be the founder or owner of a company and be 35 years of age or younger at the time of nomination submission
- Demonstrate a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, creativity and purpose.
- Has clear vision, and proven ability of achieving professional and personal goals
- Demonstrate measurable success and growth as a business and as an employer
- Be developing a positive reputation within the business community through excellent product or service offerings.
- Optional – Supply a letter from 1 mentor OR employee supporting the nomination
Surerus Murphy Not-For-Profit of the Year Award
This Kamloops-area not-for-profit organization must:
- Be incorporated as a society or charitable organization
- Explain mission and purpose and how the work positively contributes/builds community
- Show organizational excellence with clear policies
- Proven record of organizational growth and financial sustainability
- Explain unique value proposition and describe the impacts of the organizations work
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Indigenous Business Excellence Award
This Kamloops or Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc -area business must be at least 51% Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) owned and operated and must:
- Provide a description of the business’ mission, vision, goals, ownership structure, number of employees, number of years in operation; include background information about the nominee &/or business and if the business has an Indigenous employment strategy
- Include a description of past and present successes
- A description of challenges your business has faced; include your story of resilience and recovery. How have Indigenous values been helpful to the current situation? How has it impacted your business plan and financial outlook?
- A description of benefits provided to the community, employees, environment, etc.
- Showcase the benefits provided to the community, employees, environment etc.
- Explain the Indigenous partner’s role in the Indigenous-Industry partnership, if applicable
- Optional – Supply a letter 1 letter of reference or supporting documents
