Vancouver – The winners of the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards were announced last night at the Pan Pacific Vancouver during an evening of drinks, appetizers and networking with 500 entrepreneurs, industry influencers, government officials and special guests.
The Small Business BC Awards is the largest small business awards competition in the province. These awards recognize the outstanding achievements of British Columbia’s entrepreneurs and celebrate the contributions that new and existing businesses registered in BC, with fewer than 50 employees, make to their local communities and the global economy.
Between October 1 and November 30, 2016, Small Business BC and the Insurance Bureau of Canada asked British Columbians to nominate their favourite small businesses. This year, 699 nominations were received from 72 communities across the province. FVN Fraser Valley News were nominated for three awards in the preliminary voting.
The businesses with the highest number of votes in each award category were asked to complete an extended application, to decide the Top 5 Finalists, who moved on to face a panel of judges earlier this month. Those who met the criteria and demonstrated they were the best for the category were announced as the winners – they are:
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BEST APPRENTICE TRAINING
Presented by ITA and KPU Ironside Design Manufacturing Inc. – Chilliwack |
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| BEST COMMUNITY IMPACT Presented by Vancity Rainbow’s Roost – Kamloops |
BEST COMPANY Presented by Sage Rocky Point Ice Cream Inc. – Port Moody |
| BEST CONCEPT Presented by Rogers Communications Wine Crush – Penticton |
BEST EMPLOYER Presented by TruShield Insurance Central Kitchen + Bar – Kelowna |
| BEST IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR Presented by Small Business BC Lilian Cazacu Notary Corporation – Langley |
BEST INNOVATION Presented by BC Innovation Council Terramera – Vancouver |
| BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE Presented by UPS Canada Wize Monkey – Vancouver |
BEST MARKETER Presented by Yellow Pages The Argosy – Prince Rupert |
The winners received a Small Business BC Awards trophy, the Premier’s Prize in the amount of $1,500 cash, a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education, resources and experts and one-on-one business mentorship with notable advisors from the award sponsors.
Nominations for next year’s Small Business BC Awards competition will open October 1, 2017. More details on the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca.
About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.
