Home »
Chamber ready to hand out awards Saturday
Overture, curtains, lights
This is it; you’ll hit the heights
And oh what heights we’ll hit
On with the show this is it.
– (With apologies to Bugs Bunny)
The gala event of the year for the Cranbrook business community is set for this Saturday night at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino.
The sold out 2015 Business Excellence Awards will see honours being handed out in 11 wide and diverse categories reflecting the cross section of the business community.
Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce executive director David D. Hull is extremely pleased with the response to the awards process and gala event.
“I am so impressed with the overall number and high level of nominees, the interview and selection process, and the plans for the gala event this Saturday.”
Saturday’s gala will be hosted by the returning emcee duo of Kyla Cornish and D’arcy Kennedy.
Known for their improvisational and observational humour Cornish and Kennedy have promised to ‘stick to the script’ and ensure the event is conducted in a resplendent and dignified manner… as best as they can.
“The awards are a celebration of excellence and distinction,” said Hull. “Saturday we come together and celebrate the entirety our business community and tip our hats to those that have been identified as leaders in their industry or sector.”
The following lists the categories and nominees up for an award at the gala.
New Business of the Year
Sponsor: Community Futures East Kootenay
Awarded to a business established in the last three years that is considered a rising leader in their business sector and has demonstrated outstanding characteristics leading their business to success.
NOMINEES
Baker Street Professional Centre
e-KNOW (East Kootenay News Online Weekly)
iDevice Repair
Initial Design
One Love Hot Yoga
Sink N’ Ink Tattoos
Smokey Bros BBQ & Grill
Business of Year 1-15 Employees
Sponsor: Downtown Business Association
Awarded to a business with 1-15 full time equivalent employees that has been established for more than three years. The well-rounded recipient is regarded as an industry leader with a strong reputation for their business success.
NOMINEES
The Bedroom Furniture Plus
Caliper Machine & Hydraulics Ltd.
Durango’s Lounge
Genex Marketing
The Hearing Loss Clinic
Just Liquid Sports
Koko Beach Tanning & Hair Salon
Max’s Place
The Playpen Pet Boarding & Grooming
Taylor Adams Chartered Accountants
Business Person of the Year
Sponsor: Banking Association of Cranbrook
Awarded to an individual displaying outstanding leadership and vision in the business community. Respected person with accomplishments in business and their community. Serves as a positive role model or mentor for other business people.
NOMINEES
Mike Adams
Mike Hambalek
Chad Jensen
Chase Thielen
Chris Thom
Tom White
Professional Services Excellence
Sponsor: Columbia Basin Trust
Awarded to a company or professional that provides services to individuals, groups, or businesses.The recipient demonstrates a consistent adherence to the highest quality service and support for their customers.
NOMINEES
Ataraxia Spa
Cranbrook Auto Repair
Guidance Planning Strategies
Leanne M. Cutts, CGA
Naked Yeti Waxing
RDEK Director of Communications Loree Duczek
Rella, Paolini & Rogers
Sandy Smith Personal Real Estate Corporation
Business Services Excellence
Sponsor: Koocanusa Publications
Awarded to a company that provides services to businesses.
The recipient operates in the business to business sector and demonstrates a consistent adherence to the highest quality service and support for their clients.
NOMINEES
Bank of Montreal – Theresa Larson
B104 & The Drive
e-KNOW (East Kootenay News Online Weekly)
Robert Venier, CFP BMO Nesbitt Burns
Signal Collision
Business of Year 16+ Employees
Sponsor: St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
Awarded to a business with 16 plus full time equivalent employees that has been established for more than three years. The well-rounded recipient is regarded as an industry leader with a strong reputation for their business success.
NOMINEES
Cranbrook Dodge
Fab Rite Services Ltd.
Golden Life Management
New Dawn Developments Ltd.
Rocky Mountain Diesel & R M Collision
Top Crop Garden, Farm & Pet
Retailer Excellence
Sponsor: The Tamarack Centre
Awarded to a business that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the retail sector. The recipient is a Cranbrook retail leader with evidence of sustainable growth, commercial success, and community involvement.
NOMINEES
The Bedroom Furniture Galleries
The Flower Pot
Just Liquid Sports
Mike’s Autowash
Muriel & Jane’s
The Paw Shop
Non Profit Organization of Year
Sponsor: Jim Pattison Broadcast Group
Awarded to an organization, in any industry sector, that is a not for profit organization, society, or charity dedicated to making a difference within the sphere of their stated goals and objectives.
NOMINEES
Blue Lake Forest Education Society
Community Connections Society of Southeast BC
Cranbrook Society for Community Living
East Kootenay Foundation for Health
EK SPCA
JCI Kootenay
Key City Gymnastics
MADD
Royal Canadian Legion
Sam Steele Society
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsor: New Dawn Developments Ltd.
Awarded to an outstanding entrepreneur age 30 and under that has distinguished themselves by building their own business or as part of the decision making management team of an existing business.
NOMINEES
Jason de Rijk
Kya Dubois
Melissa Hambalek
Ari Kupritz
Stephanie Moore
Kim Shypitka
Chase Thielen
Dustin Willoughby
Hospitality & Tourism
Sponsor: The College of the Rockies
Awarded to a company that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the areas of hospitality and tourism. This company goes above and beyond providing extraordinary customer service and recognizes the importance of hospitality.
NOMINEES
Elizabeth Lake Lodge
The Heid Out & Fisher Peak Brewing Co.
Just Liquid Sports
Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo
Royal Canadian Legion
Submitted by Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce
