33rd annual Greater Vernon Chamber Business Excellence Awards biggest event to date

VERNON – The best of Greater Vernon’s business leaders were celebrated at the 2017 Business Excellence Awards at the Vernon Lodge on Friday night, March 10. with Swan Lake Nurseryland winning the prestigious BDC Business of the Year Award. 

Swan Lake Nurseryland Fruit Market & Garden Centre has been locally owned and operated for almost 60 years.

“Each of our award winners represent vibrant organizations who have given back to the community in many ways,” says Markus Schrott, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce vice-president. “We congratulate the winners and also acknowledge the many deserving nominees.”

Predator Ridge won the Tourism of the Year Award (sponsored by YLW Kelowna International Airport) while The Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Community Futures) went to Sun Country Cycle while Farm Bound was tabbed as the New Business of the Year (sponsored by Sandler Training).

The individual awards went to Roy Wood of Thermotech Insulation who was named Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Kal Tire), the Community Leader Award (sponsored by MQN) went to Brian Martin of SunFM and Nick Moffat of Nicholas Alexander Landscaping was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Nixon Wenger LLP).  The company was tabbed as New Business of the Year just a couple of years ago.

Other 2017 winners included:

• Employer of the Year sponsored by Telus:  Maven Lane
• Green Business of the Year sponsored by Let’s Go Transportation: Element Eco-Design
• Manufacturer of the Year sponsored by City of Vernon: Helmut's Sausage Kitchen
• Tourism Excellence Award sponsored by Kelowna International Airport: Predator Ridge Resort
• Newsmaker of the Year sponsored by the Morning Star: Restoration Lands Inc.
• Non-Profit of the Year sponsored by Lake City Casino Vernon: Teens Count Too
• Customer Service of the Year sponsored by MNP: OBC Automotive

“Many of these organizations and individuals have contributed greatly to the well being of the community,” says Dan Rogers, chamber general manager. “It’s important that we celebrate that dedication and in doing so hopefully others in the region will be inspired to dream big and set ambitious goals.”

Presented by Valley First, this year’s Awards Gala drew a crowd of close to 350 to recognize the top businesses and organizations in thirteen different categories.

2017 BEA Winners:

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by BDC
Swan Lake Nurseryland Fruit Market & Garden Centre

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Community Futures
Sun Country Cycle

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Sadler Training
Farm Bound

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Kal Tire
Roy Wood, Thermotech Insulation         

COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by MQN
Brian Martin, SunFM

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Telus
Maven Lane

NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by The Morning Star
Restoration Lands Inc.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Nixon Wenger Lawyers LLP
Nick Moffat, Nicholas Alexander Landscaping

NON-PROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARD
Sponsored by Lake City Casinos
Teens Count Too Society

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Sponsored by MNP
OBC Automotive Ltd

MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by City of Vernon
Helmut’s Sausage Kitchen

GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Let’s Go Transportation
Element Eco-Design

TOURISM EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Sponsored by YLW Kelowna International Airport
Predator Ridge Resort