By Corey Fischer

Award Finalists Announced

Feb 13, 2018 | 5:13 PM

The finalists have been announced for the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Business Excellence Awards.

The nominees were announced at a luncheon Tuesday.

One Step Foot Care, The Beauty Bar, Roost Solar and Spruce Salon lead the way, as all four were named a finalist in two different categories.

Dione Chambers addresses the crowd at luncheon (Beach Radio photo)

One Step Foot Care is up for Small Business of the Year and the highly coveted Customer Service Excellence Award, while Katie Matheson was named a finalist for Young Entrepreneur of the Year and her Salon, Spruce Salon receiving a spot as finalist in the Small Business of the year category. Roost Solar is paving the way with a finalist spot in Innovator of the Year and Green Business of the year. Linda Heng of the Beauty Bar received two finalist’s spots one for Young Entrepreneur of the year and a finalist spot for New Business of the Year. (A full list of the finalists is provided below)

Go Indoors When The Thunder Roars

Thunderstorm warning issued in the North Okanagan

10h ago

Mid to High 30s

Heat warning issued for the Okanagan

11h ago

Hazy Skies

North Okanagan air quality declined as wildfire smoke settled in the valley

14h ago

There were over 300 nominations with over 90 individual qualifying nominees for award categories ranging from Non-Profit Excellence Award to the Manufacturer of the Year. The winners in each category along with the Business of the Year and People’s Choice will be announced at the Business Excellence Awards Gala on Friday March 9th at the Vernon Lodge. People’s Choice award is open online at the Vernon Chamber website vernonchamber.ca where the public can vote for their favourite nominee until February 23.

“It is an incredible line up of finalists that represent many different organizations,” says Dione Chambers, Chamber general manager. “The Awards Gala sells out every year and we are looking forward to another exciting evening, celebrating the many hard-working business owners, organizations and individuals that contribute so much to our region.”

The Gala is the North Okanagan’s largest business event of the year. This year’s theme is “Join us in the Winner’s Circle” where the winners will be announced. There will be great door prizes, including a package from Predator Ridge valued at over $1000, a West Jet Voucher for a flight anywhere West Jet flies donated by Valley First A Division of First West Credit Union and prizes for the best Kentucky Derby attire.

Tickets for the Gala are on sale now through the Chamber.

The Annual Business Excellence Awards are presented by Valley First- A division of First West Credit Union.

2018 BEA FINALISTS
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Community Futures
·        A Twist of Yarn
·        One Step Foot Care
·        Spruce Salon
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Herbal Health Centre
·        Cobbler’s Rack Shoes & Repair
·        Power Trips
·        The Beauty Bar
BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Kal Tire
·        Byron Bolton- King Fisher Boats
·        Trevor & Lynella Henke, Vernon Teach and Learn
·        Ted Fox- Fox & Sons Plumbing & Heating
COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by MQN
·        Jason Keis- Armstrong Regional Cooperative
·        Lisa Anderson, Upper Room Mission
·        Teresa Durning Harker- Durning Directions
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Telus
·        Caufields Engraving
·        Wayside
·        Nixon Wenger LLP
NON-PROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARD
Sponsored by Lake City Casino Vernon
Family Resource Center
O’Keefe Ranch & Historic Society
Bollywood Bang

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Nixon Wenger Lawyers LLP
·        David Scarlatescu-The Sprouted Fig
·        Linda Heng- The Beauty Bar
·        Katie Matheson- Spruce Salon

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by City of Vernon
·        Okanagan Spirits: Craft Distillery
·        The BX Press Cidery & Orchard
·        Skevik Skis

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Sponsored by Rellish Transport Services
·        One Step Foot Care
·        Pacific Coastcom-Telus
·        The Crate Escape Dog Adventures

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by Silver Star Mountain Resort
·        Pickleball Depot
·        Restoration Lands
·        Roost Solar

SOLOPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Okanagan Spring Brewery
·        She Devil Delights
·        Voila Spa
·        Red Bird Acupuncture

TOURISM EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Sponsored by YLW Kelowna International Airport
·        Silver Star Mountain Resort
·        Marten Brewing Co
·        Sparkling Hill Resort

GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Let’s Go Transportation
·        The Gleaners Used Furniture Store
·        Roost Solar
·        Sage Environmental Consulting

by Corey Fischer