Business excellence awards

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Chamber of Commerce

The recipients of the ten 2014 Business Excellence Awards were announced last night at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna.

Mike Jacobs, president of Emil Anderson Construction, was honoured as the 2014 Business Leader of the Year, the prestigious award was sponsored by Ian Stuart & Associates.

The rest of the awards are as follows:

1. RISING STAR AWARD Sponsored by: FortisBC 

• Recipient: Mission Creek Orthodontics
• Finalist: Wink i Wear Inc.

      2.  COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD Sponsored by: Urban Systems Ltd. 

• Recipient: Kelowna General Hospital Foundation
• Finalist: The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society

      3.  YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD Sponsored by: UBC Okanagan

• Recipient: Guiseppe Simpatico, GoodSir Creative Inc. 
• Finalists: Dr. Derek Pollard, Mission Creek Orthodontics
• David Veldhoen, Shorestone Homes Ltd.

      4.  ECO-STAR INNOVATION AWARD Sponsored by: Interior Savings Credit Union

• Recipient: GreenStep Solutions Inc. 
• Finalist: Okanagan Car Share Co-op

      5.  DISTINCTION IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARD Sponsored by: Tourism Kelowna

• Recipient: Wells Gray Tours Ltd. 
• Finalists:Okanagan Wine Country Tours
• WildPlay Element Parks

      6.  MARKETER OF THE YEAR AWARD Sponsored by: Pushor Mitchell LLP

• Recipient: Get in the Loop  
• Finalists: Juice FM, Vista Radio
• Twin Creek Media Inc.

      7.  SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1-10 employees) Sponsored by: Prospera Credit Union

• Recipient: Interior Portable Rentals 
• Finalists: Cellar-Tek Supplies Ltd.
• Lyman Lures Manufacturing Ltd.

      8.  MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (11-30 employees) Sponsored by: BDO Canada LLP 

• Recipient: Border Plumbing, Heating and Air
• Finalists: AAA Internet Publishing Inc. (DBA WTFast)
• Building Blocks Educational Daycare

      9.  LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (31+ employees) Sponsored by: Grant Thornton LLP

• Recipient: Waterplay Solutions Corp. 
• Finalists: Boyd Autobody & Glass
• Northside Industries
• SW Audio + Visual

"We salute those who have recognized a business opportunity, seized it and prospered," says Curtis Darmohray, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce President. "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."

The popular Kelowna event was presented by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and Platinum sponsors Business Development Bank of Canada and Farris, Vaughan, Willis & Murphy LLP, during annual Small Business Week activities Oct. 20 to 25.

For the past 34 years, Small Business Week has paid tribute to Canadian entrepreneurs and created opportunities for them to share success stories and innovative ideas with the active participation of members of the Chambers of Commerce and BDC branches across the country.