On Friday, October 21, 150 plus filled the ballroom at the Fernie Best Western to celebrate the best in Fernie and announced the winners for the 2016 Community and Business Excellence Awards sponsored by CanAus Coal Limited.

The evening started with welcomes from Kootenay-Columbia MP Wayne Stetski, City of Fernie Mayor Mary Giuliano and Fernie Chamber of Commerce President Sheila Byers.

Kelsey Ramsden, 2012 and 2013 female entrepreneur of the year, shared an inspiring message about Risk, the other four letter word. She inspired the audience to push through those little things holding you back.

Following Ramsden’s key note address, the awards were presented.

And the winners are:

Citizen of the Year – sponsored by City of Fernie – Laura Nelson

Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by the Free Press – Karen Tse and Graeme Nunn

Spirit of Fernie – sponsored by Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge – Outdoor Connections

Community Tourism Achievement – sponsored by Tourism Fernie – Fernie RV Resort

Outstanding Customer Service – sponsored by Rockies Law Corporation – Super 8 Fernie

New Business of the Year – sponsored by Majic, Purdy Law – Kettle Black Bartending

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Community Futures East Kootenay – Marsha Churchill

Team of the Year – sponsored by EK Employment – Mow and Snow – Landscape Team

Employer of the Year – sponsored by College of the Rockies – A tie this year – Ann’s Your Independent Grocer and Super 8 Fernie

Fernie Business of the Year – sponsored by CanAus – Isosceles Business Systems

People’s Choice Award – sponsored by Healing Hollow – Three Sister’s Day Spa

Chamber Business Excellence – sponsored by Fernie Chamber of Commerce – Capasiti Consulting

Community Leadership Award – sponsored by Finning Canada – Spa 901

Chamber Legacy Award – sponsored by Fernie Chamber of Commerce- Evelyn Cutts

The Chamber of Commerce thanks the many businesses and individuals who helped organize and sponsor these awards including CanAus Coal Limited, Imagine Kootenay, Teck, Super 8 Fernie, East Kootenay Community Credit Union, FAR Summit Fund, Bridge Bistro, Island Lake Lodge, Nufloors, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Isosceles Business Systems, Castle on First, Soar Cycle Studio, Fernie Brewing Company, and Fernie Fix.

Congratulations to the finalists and winners.

“The awards recognize the hard work put in day in and day out by Fernie business. It is great to take a moment and celebrate that effort and their success,” stated Sheila Byers, Chamber board President.

The Fernie Chamber of Commerce represents over 260 business in Fernie and the Elk Valley. Its mission is to strengthen commerce in the Fernie area and is guided by principles of membership, integrity, best-practices, business excellence, and non-partisanship. The Fernie Chamber of Commerce is “The Voice of Business in Fernie.”

Lead image: Kelsey Ramsden addresses the audience. All photo credits: Raven Eye Photography

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