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SUMMERLAND – The Summerland Chamber of Commerce held its annual Nominees’ Reception on Jan. 28th, to celebrate all the nominees for the 78th Annual Business and Community Awards. The reception was sponsored by Nesters Market in Summerland with wines provided by the Bottleneck Drive Winery Association.
59 businesses and individuals have been nominated in 11 categories, which is a 35% increase in nominations over last year. These awards celebrate entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, best business practices, contribution to the economy and to the community.
The nominees are as follows:
Business of the Year sponsored by the Summerland Credit Union: Bead Trails, Dirty Laundry Vineyard, Interior Ink Works, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Summerland Dental Centre, SWC General Contracting, The Suburban Princess and True Grain Bread.
Rising Star/New Business sponsored by RBC Royal Bank: Artisans of the Okanagan, Back Door Winery, Beauty Box Studio Inc., Dominion Cider Co., Drew’s Kitchen, Essential Fire Protection Ltd., Esthetics by Nicole, Maximus Wine Consulting, Summerland Sunday Market, Sing Your Song Studios, Synergy Home Inspections, and Tammy’s Brush 2 Canvas.
Young Entrepreneur sponsored by Bottleneck Drive Winery Association: Jess Repetowski of Signwave Signs, Corrine Inman of Morpheus Graphix and Publications and Carrie Mayes of Peanuts and Pumpkins Kids Shop.
Tourism/ Hospitality Excellence sponsored by Sumac Ridge Estate Winery: Kettle Valley Steam Railway, Mike West of Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, and TH Wines.
Trade Services Excellence sponsored by Alder Street Auto Body: Deputy Diesel Performance, GPH Mechanical, Summerland Glass and Mirror and Summerland Tirecraft Auto Centre.
Professional Services Excellence sponsored by Brown Benefits: Beauty & the Brit, Chantelle Meriam of Edward Jones, Interior Ink Works, Morpheus Graphix and Publications, Terry Sedawie of RBC Royal Bank, Mike Stohler of RE/MAX Orchard Country, Sue Eden of Royal LePage Parkside Realty, Summerland Dental Centre and Tones Hair Design.
Retail Excellence sponsored by the Summerland Review: Cherry Tree Quilts, Summerland Home Hardware, The Suburban Princess, Summerland Builders Mart (TIM-BR Mart) and Your Dollar Store With More.
Sustainability Leader sponsored by IGA Summerland: Friends of Summerland Ornamental Gardens, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, Strachan Consulting, SummerGate Winery and What the Fungus.
Manufacturing/Industrial Excellence sponsored by Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen: Okanagan Vinegar Brewery and lone tree coffee.
Technology and Innovation sponsored by Accelerate Okanagan: Cordillera Consulting, ElectroMotion Energy and What the Fungus.
Two finalists will be chosen for each category on February 1st with electronic voting occurring from Feb. 3– 18. All awards will be presented at the Gala.
The Gala will be held on Saturday, February 27th at the Summerland Waterfront Resort and is catered by Local Lounge Grille.
– Christine Petkau is Executive Director at the Summerland Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at cpetkau@summerlandchamber.com.