The South Okanagan dominated the first annual Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence awards in Kelowna last week.
Seven Penticton businesses and two from Summerland were recognized as winners in 17 categories, selected from 80 participants.
While Kelowna companies captured both business of the year (Yeti Farm Creative) and small business of the year (GetInTheLoop), Penticton came up on top in several other categories.
The awards were judged by Jim Anderson, executive director of Venture Kamloops; Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO of Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association; and Anthony Haddad of Penticton’s economic development office.
This years winners:
Automotive Business of the Year — Current Taxi of Kelowna
Community Builder of the Year — Get Bent Yoga and Dance of Penticton — Highstreet Ventures of Kelowna
Entrepreneur of the Year — Redhead Mare of Penticton
Food Production Business of the Year — True Grain Bread of Summerland
Green Business of the Year — Swiss Solar Tech Ltd. of Summerland
Health Care Business of the Year — Carrington Dental Centre of West Kelowna
Manufacturing Business of the Year (Tie) — Riversong Guitars of Kamloops and Vitalis Extraction of Kelowna
Professional Services Business of the Year — Refresh Financial of Kelowna
Restaurant of the Year — The Nest & Nectar of Penticton
Retail Business of the Year (Tie) — Main Street Clothing of Kamloops and Pickle Ball Depot of Vernon
Technology Business of the Year — Big Bear Software Ltd. of Penticton
Tourism Business of the Year (Tie) — Glow SUP Adventures of Penticton and Sip Happens Wine Tours of Lake Country
Trades Business of the Year — Duffy Baker Construction of Penticton
Winery Business of the Year — Poplar Grove of Penticton