Kelowna Chamber 2022 Business Excellence Award Winners Announced
PAMELA PEARSON
KELOWNA – More than 450 business and community leaders were on hand as Northside Industries was named the 2022 Business of the Year at the 35th Annual Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards Wednesday. In operation since 1967, Northside Industries prevailed over BDO and Valley First Credit Union who were the other finalists in the Large Business of the Year category.
“I am very excited for not only what our team has done over the last couple of years but what the future looks like for our organization,” says Northside President Mark Burleigh.
Other award winners included Modern PURAIR and Strut Footwear & Apparel which won the Mid-Size and Small Business of the Year Awards respectively while the First Nations Finance Authority was recognized as Indigenous Business of the Year. (A complete list of award recipients is provided below.)
Kelowna’s new mayor, Tom Dyas, helped open the celebration saying, “the City applauds all of you who make our community stronger and I particularly want to congratulate the 2022 Business Leader of the Year: the impactful Brea Lake.”
Chamber Board President Pamela Pearson was thrilled with the turnout, “We particularly want to thank all our sponsors, especially Interior Savings and Petraroia Langford LLP who were presenting sponsors of the Awards Program.”
Ted Schisler, COO of presenting sponsor Interior Savings added, “All the finalists embraced the challenges of the past couple of years, displaying unparalleled passion and resiliency.” Meanwhile Aaron Dow, Partner, presenting sponsor Petraroia Langford LLP was enthusiastic about the program, “We were impressed by how focused everyone was throughout the evening and delighted to be a part of this remarkable annual event.”
COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS – 2022 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Rising Star Business of the Year – Fortune Creek, Sponsored by Argus Properties
Arts and Entertainment Excellence – Sncəwips Heritage Museum, Sponsored by Hergott Law
Indigenous Business of the Year – First Nations Finance Authority, Sponsored by Pushor Mitchell LLP
Social Leadership – Haven Sleep Products Limited, Sponsored by Rogers
Ethics in Business – Okanagan Restoration Services Ltd, Sponsored by Better Business Bureau
Technology Innovator of the Year – Innovative Aerospace Services Ltd., Sponsored by UBC Okanagan
Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Dr. Harmony Mir – Harmony Chiropractic Clinic, Sponsored by Futurpreneur Canada
Inclusive Workplace – Tranq Sleep Care, Sponsored by Acres Enterprises
Excellence in Tourism – Oyama Zipline Adventure Park, Sponsored by Tourism Kelowna
Excellence in Agriculture – AgriForest Bio-Technologies Ltd., Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance
Environmental Impact – Meadow Vista Honey Wines, Sponsored by PARC Retirement Living
Small Business of the Year – Strut Footwear & Apparel, Sponsored by Prospera Credit Union
Mid-Size Business of the Year – Modern PURAIR, Sponsored by Canadian Western Bank
Large Business of the Year – Northside Industries Inc., Sponsored by Grant Thornton
Marketing Campaign of the Year – Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) Foundation, Sponsored by Untold Branding
Not for Profit Excellence – Mamas for Mamas, Sponsored by Kelowna International Airport & Edmonton International Airport
Business Leader of the Year – Brea Lake, CEO, Accelerate Okanagan, Sponsored by MNP