Entrepreneurial spirit shines at Greater Vernon Chamber Business Excellence Awards

Entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and community pride were celebrated during the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s 37th annual Business Excellence Awards gala Friday night.

The event was held at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre and streamed online.

Awards were handed out in 16 categories.

"It was exciting to hear the name of the winner revealed in each category and we can congratulate them. However, the gala was an opportunity to pay tribute to all of the nominees for their dedication, resiliency and investment in the community," said chamber president Robin Cardew.

"All of you have made the 37th annual Business Excellence Awards a resounding success," added general manager Dan Proulx.

The gala included a video message from Mark DeVolder, an international speaker and author of Perpetual Pivot: How the Best Leaders Adapt to Exponential Change.

Winners of the 2021 Business Excellence Awards are:

• Large Business of the Year sponsored by MNP: Okanagan Spring Brewery
• Medium Business of the Year sponsored by Fox Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical: The Roster Sports Club Bar & Grill
• Small Business of the Year sponsored by Community Futures: FILL – Vernon’s Refill Store
• People’s Choice Award sponsored by Total Restoration Services: Pivot Rx Pharmacy
• New Business of the Year sponsored by Tolko Industries: – The Roxy Cafe
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Nixon Wenger Lawyers: Mitchal Derksen, Numu Technologies
• Business Leader of the Year sponsored by Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan: Jaye Siegmueller, Farm Bound
• Employer of the Year sponsored by City of Vernon: Bridge Educational Society
• Customer Service Award sponsored by Okanagan Spring Brewery: Olive Us Olive Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room
• Trades Business of the Year sponsored by tekmar Control Systems: Allegria Homes
• Non-Profit Excellence Award sponsored by Community Foundation North Okanagan: Turning Points Collaborative Society
• Tourism Business of the Year sponsored by Tourism Vernon: Davison Orchards Country Village
• Professional Business of the Year of the Year sponsored by TD Bank: Monashee Health Collective
• Restaurant of the Year of the Year sponsored by White House Mortgages: The Kal
• Diversity Excellence sponsored by Kal Tire: Tolko Industries
• Retail Business of the Year of the Year sponsored by Corbett Office Plus: Olive Us Olive Oil & Vinegar Tasting Room

Partial proceeds from online voting for the People’s Choice winner will establish a scholarship for a local business student, while other proceeds will fund chamber initiatives to support local business.