Kamloops, B.C. – The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and MNP LLP presented 16 awards to Kamloops’ best businesses at the 34th Annual Business Excellence Awards on Saturday, October 24.
As with most businesses and organizations in 2020, the Chamber had to adapt and pivot and the annual awards gala was no exception.
The Chamber, supported by MNP LLP, saw this as an opportunity to #SupportLocal by hosting a decentralized, low-capacity, live-streamed event, from four restaurants serving locally inspired dishes. The host restaurants were: Barside Lounge & Grill, Cordo Resto + Bar, The Noble Pig Brewhouse and Romeo’s Kitchen & Spirits.
Any person could nominate any business, and businesses were nominated for their accomplishments and successes for the year prior to the nomination period. The Kamloops Chamber extended the nomination window by 1.5 months this year in response to the pandemic and received 305 nominations, nominating 238 unique businesses.
2020 marked the introduction of 2 new awards for the Business Excellence Awards program, the Community Futures Thompson Country Emerging Business of the Year and the Kamloops Chamber Excellence in Trades Award.
Background:
- March – April 2020 Nominations were received from all over the Kamloops community
- The selection process:
- An independent committee individually scores each nominee and MNP tabulates the scores to announce the three finalists (or four if there is a tie) in each award category.
- The committee conducts personal interviews with each of the award finalists to determine the award recipients.
- Winners for 14 of the awards were determined by the selection committee, comprised of over 28 community leaders.
- The Business of the Year was chosen from the winners of the other award categories.
- The President’s Award, chosen by the Kamloops Chamber President was also awarded in 2020.
Quotes:
Tyson Andrykew President of the board of directors for the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce:
“On behalf of our Board of Directors and our Chamber team, I want to congratulate the winners, the finalists, and all of the nominees of this year’s awards. Although this year’s event certainly had a different look and feel than the Awards have ever had, it’s important that we come together to celebrate the successes of our local businesses and leaders like we did this evening. We look forward to you and your businesses continued excellence, and to greener pastures in 2021.”
James Foucault, Partner, Private Enterprise – MNP, Accounting, Consulting, Tax:
“The Kamloops Chamber Business Excellence Awards have always inspired businesses to do their best and amid these challenging times, this year is no exception. MNP is proud to be part of this important three-decade long tradition, in taking the time to celebrate the innovation, ingenuity and grit of our Kamloops business leaders. To these leaders who continually support our community – thank you.”
This year’s award recipients:
· City of Kamloops Community Service Award – Kamloops Home Hardware Building Centre
· Open Door Group Inclusive Workplace Award – Summit Gourmet Meats
· BDC Manufacturer Award – Absorbent Products Ltd.
· Aberdeen Mall Retailer Award – Lyons Landscaping
· Kamloops This Week Service Provider 1-10 Staff Award – Bliss Float Centre
· Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Service Provider 11+ Staff Award – Lyons Landscaping
· BCLC Technology Innovator Award – iTel Networks Inc.
· Community Futures Thompson Country Emerging Business of the Year – Far & Wide Kamloops
· Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Trades – Cutting Edge Consulting Inc.
· Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Employer of the Year – Checkmate Fire Prevention Inc.
· Kamloops Home Hardware Not-For-Profit of the Year – Kamloops Symphony Orchestra
· TRU School of Business and Economics Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Greg Klohn, GK Sound
· Venture Kamloops Small Business of the Year – Diverse Training Center
· Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year – Colin Lyons, Lyons Landscaping
· FIT Financial Business of the Year – Kamloops Home Hardware Building Centre
· Kamloops Chamber of Commerce President’s Award – Bryce Herman
MNP and the Kamloops Chamber congratulate all the winners and thank all our sponsors for making this event possible for our community.
Premier Sponsor – MNP LLP, Accounting Consulting & Tax
Audio-Visual Sponsor – Lee’s Music
Media Sponsors – CFJC TV, 98.3 CIFM, B100, Kamloops This Week
Recognition Sponsors – New Gold Inc., New Afton Mine, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Event Partners – Barside Lounge & Grill, Cordo Resto + Bar, The Noble Pig Brewhouse,Romeo’s Kitchen & Spirits, River City Limo, Mitchie’s Delivery