The winners have been announced.

The recipients of the 2008 Business Excellence Awards were announced October 22 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort in Kelowna.

The winners are:

Roger Sellick, former General Manager of Kelowna International Airport, was honoured as the 2008 Business Leader of the Year, the prestigious award sponsored by UBC Okanagan.

Wildwood Media Ltd. (David and Marghanita Hughes) was the recipient of the 2008 Rising Star award sponsored by the FortisBC. This award is for new companies that have been in business less than three years.

A panel of judges selected four outstanding Kelowna area businesses as the 2008 recipients of the Category Awards:

CATEGORY 1 (1 – 5 employees) sponsored by TD Canada Trust Small Business Banking:

Winner: Kelowna Farmers & Crafters Market (Bob Callioux and Errol Redman)

CATEGORY 2 (6 – 20 employees) sponsored by BDO Dunwoody LLP:

Winner: Kitchenhaus Cabinets Ltd. (Jason Corory and Brooke Nicholas)

CATEGORY 3 (21 – 40 employees) sponsored by BMO Bank of Montreal:

Winner: Rackforce Networks Inc. (Tim Dufour)

CATEGORY 4 (41+ employees) sponsored by MacKay LLP:
Winner: Formashape (div. of Whitewater Composites Ltd.)

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (individual under 34 years of age) sponsored by Prospera Credit Union:

Winner: Renee Wasylyk, Troika Developments.

“We salute those who have recognized a business opportunity, seized it and prospered,” says Weldon LeBlanc, CEO, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. “The accomplishments and dedication of all the finalists honoured last evening are impressive and their stories inspire us all. We are proud of the contributions these exceptional business leaders have made in our community.”