Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce News

Kamloops Chamber & MNP Business Excellence Awards Nominees Announced

Kamloops, BC – Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Kamloops Chamber & MNP received over 360 nominations for the 35th Annual Business Excellence Awards. The merit-based awards celebrate innovative entrepreneurs and local community leaders in 16 diverse award categories as determined by an independent selection committee.  

“With the recent decrease in cases and restrictions easing, there is a renewed sense of optimism for business owners that sooner than later things will return to normal. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate those entrepreneurs and businesses that have successfully navigated through these challenging times and come out stronger.” – Jessy Sra, Partner, MNP, Private Enterprise. 

The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce has recognized ingenuity and determination through its annual awards program since 1986. As the community slowly re-opens and recovers from COVID-19, the awards will be handed out again via a low-capacity, decentralized event live-streamed from four partner restaurants from across the city with the help of GK Sound on Thursday, October 21.  

What is next for the nominees? The independent selection committee will now be tasked with reviewing each nominees written submission and will conduct an interview with each business. Once completed, the selection committee will provide the scores to MNP, who will tabulate them to determine who will become a finalist in each award category. The finalist’s will be announced later this summer. 
 
“Once again, our team is thrilled to be able to directly support our hospitality partners who have adapted and pivoted, again and again, throughout the pandemic. I want to thank all the Business Excellence Awards sponsors. Your ongoing support allows us to advocate for, support and celebrate our local businesses” – Acacia Pangilinan, Executive Director, Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. 

The Kamloops Chamber received a total 367 nominations in 16 award categories, recognizing 95 unique businesses. Details about how you can participate at-home will be released later this summer. You can find a complete list of nominees below. 

35th Annual Business Excellence Award Nominees 

Please note – not all nominees are eligible for the categories nominated for. 
 

Business Person of the Year 

Joshua Knaak, Arpa Investments
Cjay Boisclair, Askem Productions
Chrissy Robinson, Blowfish Hair Studio
Fernando Silva, Brazilian Dog Guru Facility
Mary Widmer, C&C: Resources for Life
Lucki Khurana, Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy
Bradley Young, Diverse Training Center
Cindy Humphrey, Earls Kitchen + Bar
Lisa Graham, Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co.
Greg Klohn, GK Sound
Leo Baggio, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group
Carmen & Jul Morken, JUL Construction Ltd.
Natalie, Ofukany, Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops-Lashed by Natalie
Craig LeBeau, LeBeau Bros Logging
Mary MacGregor, Mary MacGregor Law Corporation,
Margot Middleton, Middleton Energy
Ryan Holowachuk, Noran Printing
Regina Bittner-Rothbart, Nuance Dance Studio
Debora Delyzer, People In Motion
Nicole & Barry Persaud, Peter’s Pasta
Adrianne Erlandson, Scoopz Ice Cream Parlour
Dawn Mackenzie, Seasons Health Therapies
Jake Birkeland, Strength Camp Kamloops
Maeghan Summers, The Noble Pig
Alex, Zalmai, Thompson Cleaners & Tailors

City of Kamloops | Community Service Award 

A Groess Underground
Blowfish Hair Studio
Brazilian Dog Guru Facility
C&C: Resources for Life
Lyons Landscaping
Save on Foods – Westsyde
Seasons Health Therapy
Summit Eyecare Centre

Development of the Year 

ARPA Investments
BC SPCA
Kelson Group
Nationwide Self Storage & Express Auto Spa

Environmental Stewardship Award 

A Groess Underground
Arrow Transportation Systems Inc.
Fiddleheads Violin Studio
Lyons Landscaping
Maxwell Mechanical
Monte Creek Ranch + Winery
Riverside Energy Systems

Employer of the Year 

C&C: Resources for Life
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre
Cutting Edge Group
Earls Kitchen + Bar
Far & Wide
Forward Law LLP
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co
JUL Construction Ltd.
Kelson Group
LeBeau Bros Logging
Lyons Landscaping
Natural Smiles Denture Clinic
NextGen Electrical Services Ltd.
Noran Printing
Save on Foods – Westsyde

Open Door Group | Inclusive Leadership Award  

ARPA Investments
Askem Productions
Berwick on the Park
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre
Far & Wide
Kamloops Indian Band Development Corporation
Lyons Landscaping
New Afton
People In Motion

Venture Kamloops | Small Business of the Year 

ARPA Investments
Askem Productions
Blowfish Hair Studio
Blue Sky Consulting Inc.
Brazilian Dog Guru Facility
C&C: Resources for Life
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre
Coppertree Millworks
Cruizin K9 Pet Adventure Company
Cutting Edge Group
Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy
DNM Enterprises
Empire Dental by Dr.Dhaval Admar
Far & Wide
Fiddleheads Violin Studio
Forward Law LLP
Freeze Athletics
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co
GK Sound
Hoja Mongolian Grill
Jamaican Kitchen
JUL Construction Ltd.
Kamloops Urban Tailz Pet Care
Kirsten’s Hideout
Kitchen Studio
Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops – Lashed by Natalie
Natural Smiles Denture Clinic
Noran Printing
Nuance Dance Studio
NuLeaf Produce Market
Ocean Pacific Adventure Sports
Oxygen Yoga and Fitness
Peter’s Pasta
PostIdol Media Ltd.
Psychocity Tattoo and Apparel
Rapid Cool Refrigeration Inc.
Real Deals on Home Decor
Robin’s Room
Scott’s Inn & Restaurant
Seasons Health Therapies
Signet Studio
Spot On Interior Design
Strength Camp Kamloops
Summit Eyecare Centre
Surplus Herby’s
Sweet Home Cafe
Thompson Cleaners & Tailors
Tiffany Christianson Photography
We Are One Composites

Design & Manufacturer Award  

Riverside Energy Systems
Motivo Design Group
Noran Printing
Portfolio Interiors
We Are One Composites

Kubera | Retailer of the Year 

Erwin’s Fine Baking & Delicatessen
Far & Wide
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co
Little River Boatworld
NuLeaf Produce Market
Portfolio Interiors
Rapid Cool Refrigeration Inc.
Real Deals on Home Decor
Save on Foods – Westsyde
Surplus Herby’s

CN | Service Provider 1 – 10 Staff Award 

Askem Productions
Brazilian Dog Guru Facility
CentreCore HVAC Systems
Cruizin K9 Pet Adventure Company
Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy
Force Electric Ltd.
GK Sound
Kirsten’s Hideout
Kitchen Studio
Maxwell Mechanical
Noran Printing
Nuance Dance Studio
Ocean Pacific Adventure Sports
Real Deals on Home Decor
Seasons Health Therapies
Southgate Automotive and Radiator Service
The Job Squad
The Legacy Team
Westsyde Dental Centre

Kamloops This Week | Service Provider 11+ Staff Award 

Berwick on the Park
Earls Kitchen + Bar
JUL Construction
Kamloops Physiotherapy and Sports
Kelson Group
Little River Boatworld
Middleton Energy
NextGen Electrical Services Ltd.
Rapid Cool Refrigeration Inc.
Seasons Health Therapies
Summit Eyecare Centre
Tommy Guns

BCLC | Innovation Award 

Arrow Transportation Systems Inc.
C&C: Resources for Life
Cruizin K9 Pet Adventure Company
Earls Kitchen + Bar
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co
Kamloops Denture and Implant Centre
Lyons Landscaping
Monte Creek Ranch + Winery
New Afton
Riverside Energy Systems
We Are One Composites

CAPP | Excellence in Trades Award 

ARPA Investments
CentreCore HVAC Services
Five Oak Contracting Ltd.
Force Electric Ltd
JUL Construction Ltd.
Kelson Group
Lyons Landscaping
Maxwell Mechanical
Middleton Energy
NextGen Electrical Services Ltd.
Noran Printing
Riverside Energy Systems
Twin River Plumbing and Heating

Community Futures Thompson Country | Emerging Business of the Year Award 

Bright Eye Brewing
Brynn’s Bakery
Digital Convergence
Eat Clean Kamloops
Friendly Composting Inc.
Interior Naturopathic & Wellness
Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops – Lashed by Natalie
LMB Designs
Muraca Notary Public
Nationwide Self Storage & Express Auto Spa
Our Footprints Eco Store & Refillery
Pepper – Your Badass Business BFF Inc.
PIZZA NOW
River City Limo
The Lux Loo
The Vic Downtown
Wealthy Roots Financial
Yoga Now Kamloops

TRU School of Business and Economics | Young Entrepreneur of the Year 

Cassidy Watt, Cassidy Watt Artistry Collective
Jesse Faubert, Common Sound
Lucki Khurana, Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy
Bradley Young, Diverse Training Center
Dr. Dhaval Admar, Empire Dental by Dr.Dhaval Admar
Calli Duncan, Far & Wide
Keri Lewis & Aly Bradford, Freeze Athletics
Natalie Ofukany, Lash Glow Bar Kamloops – Lashed by Natalie
Jon Hudon, Ocean Pacific Adventure Sports
Jake Birkeland – Strength Camp Kamloops

Not-For-Profit of the Year 

ASK Wellness
BC Interior Community Foundation
BC SPCA
BIG Little Science Centre
Boys and Girls Club Kamloops
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre
Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations
Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society
Kamloops Child Development Society
Mt. Paul Community Food Centre
Phoenix Centre
Royal Inland Hospital Foundation
Societa Di M.S. Cristoforo Colombo
The Kamloops Exploration Group
The Mustard Seed Kamloops
Volunteer Kamloops

Media Sponsors: 

CFJC-TV
CFJC-Today
B100
98.3 CIFM
Castanet Kamloops

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The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce is situated on the traditional and unceded lands of the Tk'emlups Te Secwepemc within Secwepemc'ulucw, the traditional territory of the Secwepemc people. We are honored to live and work and play on this land and acknowledge the complicated history and humbly move forward in a spirit of collaboration and gratitude.