Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Vernon Matters Staff
Now more than ever

Nominations sought for Business Excellence Awards

Jul 28, 2020 | 10:38 AM

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the 2020 Business Excellence Awards presented by Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union until Aug. 23 at 4 p.m.

“Our theme is Now More Than Ever and it pays tribute to the role businesses and non-profits play in our lives, and the need for us to support each other,” said Krystin Kempton, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce president.

The online nomination form and descriptions of the categories can be found at https://www.vernonchamber.ca/business-excellence-awards-copy.

The individual categories are:

  • Small Business of the Year sponsored by Community Futures
  • New Business of the Year sponsored by MNP LLP
  • Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Nixon Wenger Lawyers
  • Employer of the Year sponsored by City of Vernon
  • Customer Service Excellence Award sponsored by Okanagan Spring Brewery
  • Manufacturer of the Year sponsored by Tekmar Control Systems
  • Non-Profit Excellence Award sponsored by Community Foundation North Okanagan
  • Community Leader of the Year sponsored by De Vine Vintners
  • Business Person of the Year sponsored by Kal Tire
  • Innovator of the Year sponsored by TD Bank
Reality Check - Life Without a Home
Vernon couple sleep on street as part of homeless awareness initiative
May 02, 2026
Support for the unhoused
Sleeping outside for a cause: Vernon pair backs homeless outreach
May 01, 2026
Youth Mental Health Care
VJH Foundation commits $500K for Foundry North Okanagan
May 01, 2026

A panel of independent judges will review all nominations and determine the winner in each category. A business only needs one nomination to qualify for the next round and past winners from the previous two years are ineligible to win in the same category.

Beyond the 10 categories, there is the People’s Choice Award sponsored by Total Restoration Services. It is chosen by a public vote of all nominees in the 10 categories.

There is also Business of the Year, sponsored by Valley First. This category is chosen by a panel of judges from all of the nominees in the 10 categories.

The winners in all categories will be announced during a virtual gala Oct. 23, and tickets will go on sale soon at vernonchamber.ca.

by Vernon Matters Staff
View Comments

Other Matters

Reality Check - Life Without a Home
Vernon couple sleep on street as part of homeless awareness initiative
A pair of Vernon residents have already spent over 24 hours on the streets in a bid to raise awareness about what it's like to be homeless.Tracey and Jimmy Miller of the Packman Open Hearts group are on a 72 hours campaign that sees them staying on the streets and sleeping outdoors from noon Friday to noon Monday, for ...
May 02, 2026
Read More
Construction Season
Lakeshore Road reduced to one-way traffic for construction
Construction season is in full swing. Drivers in Kelowna should expect traffic changes on Lakeshore Road starting Monday as a section of the busy corridor is reduced to one-way flow for about a month.The change will affect the stretch between Lanfranco Road and Richter Street, with northbound traffic detoured via Richt...
May 01, 2026
Read More
Support for the unhoused
Sleeping outside for a cause: Vernon pair backs homeless outreach
Representatives from a local homeless outreach group have begun their awareness and fundraising campaign.Tracey and Jimmy Miller of the group Packman Open Hearts began their Reality Check - Life Without a Home initiative Friday, May 1.The pair will spend at least 72 hours sleeping on the streets as a way to raise aware...
May 01, 2026
Read More
Accessible Equipment
Kelowna school getting new playground with provincial funding
A French school in Kelowna is getting new playground equipment thanks to a provincial investment.Through Budget 2026, the province has provided École De L'Anse-Au-Sable with $200,000 for modern, inclusive and accessible playground equipment.The Kelowna school is one of 25 across B.C. benefiting from investments ...
May 01, 2026
Read More
Youth Mental Health Care
VJH Foundation commits $500K for Foundry North Okanagan
A milestone has been hit in enhancing local mental health services thanks to a major contributor.Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) Foundation committed to donating $500,000 towards Foundry North Okanagan.Operated by the Vernon and District branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon), Foundry will provide...
May 01, 2026
Read More
Theft of Tools, Merchandise
Police searching for suspects in theft investigation
RCMP have asked the public for assistance in a theft investigation.Vernon police said two people entered a business on Anderson Way on April 14 and stole over $1,000 in tools and merchandise.Police released the image of one of the suspects in hopes to identify the person. One of the suspects in the alleged theft of ove...
May 01, 2026
Read More
Scam Alert
Kelowna RCMP warn of rising fraud cases involving impersonation scams
Kelowna RCMP are warning residents to stay vigilant after a rise in fraud cases involving scammers posing as government officials, financial institutions and law enforcement.Police say the suspects are using spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate and are pressuring victims with urgent claims designed to create pani...
May 01, 2026
Read More
Music Festival
Rock The Lake adds Classified and Hailey Benedict to 2026 lineup
Rock The Lake Music Festival has expanded its 2026 lineup with the addition of Classified and Hailey Benedict, organizers announced Friday.The Canadian hip-hop artist and rising country performer will join the bill at the three-day festival, set for July 10 to 12 at Prospera Place in Kelowna.Organizers said the updated...
May 01, 2026
Read More
Horse Assault
Accused in bestiality case given trial options
The accused in an alleged bestiality case is due back in court later this month.Seth Christian was charged with the count in relation to an alleged assault of a horse at a local equestrian centre in January. He was arrested and charged later that month. CCTV images of Christian assaulting the horse were posted on socia...
May 01, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Reality Check - Life Without a Home
Vernon couple sleep on street as part of homeless awareness initiative
May 02, 2026
Support for the unhoused
Sleeping outside for a cause: Vernon pair backs homeless outreach
May 01, 2026
Youth Mental Health Care
VJH Foundation commits $500K for Foundry North Okanagan
May 01, 2026
Theft of Tools, Merchandise
Police searching for suspects in theft investigation
May 01, 2026
Horse Assault
Accused in bestiality case given trial options
May 01, 2026