MICHAEL MAGNUSSON
PENTICTON – The Penticton Lakeside Resort shone brightly during a remarkable evening as the Penticton Chamber of Commerce hosted its 37th Annual Business Excellence Awards, presented by Total Restoration Services. The event celebrated the outstanding contributions and achievements of local businesses, non-profits, and individuals over the past year.
With a monochromatic theme, guests were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine as a baby grand piano played in the background. Attendees were treated to a delicious dinner featuring a candy buffet and cookies for dessert, four stunning aerial performances by Kinshira Entertainment, and the opportunity to engage with business and community leaders from all around the South Okanagan.
Anona Kampe opened the ceremony by acknowledging the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx People and the singing of the Okanagan Song, while Suzie Hartford sang O Canada. Mayor Bloomfield then took the stage to praise our business community as being the lifeblood of Penticton, providing employment and services, charitable giving, and community sponsorships that keep the city vibrant and thriving.
Hosted by Bounce Radio’s Reagan Babyak, the evening saw 10 awards presented across a range of categories, including Best New Business, Non-Profit of the Year, Service Excellence, and Business of the Year. A selection committee, comprising 19 local business and community leaders, carefully reviewed each nominee through a rigorous process, including interviews and thorough assessments of submission packages.
2024’s Business Excellence Awards were then presented to the following winners:
oGo Float won the Marketing & Communications Excellence Award:
Detonate Brewing won the award for Hospitality Excellence:
Discovery House won the award for Not-For-Profit Excellence:
Graphically Hip won the award for Community Builder Excellence:
Belich’s AG Foods won the award for Service Excellence:
Tickleberry’s won the award for Workplace Culture Excellence:
Stillfood Bistro & Cappuccino Bar won the award for New Business of the Year:
Katie O’Kell of Serendipity Winery won the award for Young Professional of the Year:
Kevin Smith of Kettle Valley Memorial won the award for Business Leader of the Year and
Okanagan Hockey Group won the award for Business of the Year.
The family of Jerome Abraham, the former Executive Director of Discovery House, received the David Kampe Legacy Award in his honour.
Michael Magnusson is the Executive Director of the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce