Premiere Sponsor
Program and Menu
4:00pm – Cocktail Reception
Entertainment by Beyond Brass
6:00pm – Welcome
This Evening’s Master of Ceremonies – Cheryl Blackwell
6:30pm – Dinner is served
First Course –
Goat Cheese Salad
Warmer zaatar spiced goat cheese ball, caramelized pineapple, shaved fennel and arugula, toasted sliced almond, cracked pepper, aigre doux
Main Course –
Duck Confit
Celeriac-tahini puree, spiced winter squash, pan roasted sweet potato, pomegranate molasses and pumpkin seeds, fried kale and brussel sprouts
Vegan Option –
Pan roasted sweet potato, sauteed smoked tempeh, winter squash, corn, tomatoes with enchilada sauce, pepita sauce
Dessert –
Warm coconut toffee pudding with dates, caramelized pineapple, mango sorbet
White Wine – Pinot Gris
Red Wine – Pinot Noir
Table wine supplied by Sagewood Winery
7:30pm – Awards Ceremony
The Business Excellence Awards
The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce and MNP are thrilled to present the 36th annual Business Excellence Awards for our city. Tonight, we celebrate the very best of our local business community.
This year our program offers sixteen award categories. Our award process began with each nominee answering to specific criteria. Their submissions were presented to our independent Selection Committee, comprised of over thirty industry leaders from our community. This group scored each nominee and sent their confidential results to MNP , who then tabulated the scores and identified the top three finalists for each award
All of the nominees were celebrated in the summer at the Paramount Theatre where the finalists for each award were announced. The Selection Committee members then interviewed the finalists for each award category and determined the winners, who we are excited to be announcing tonight.
We would like to extend a special thanks to our premier sponsor MNP to all of our award, supporting and event sponsors, and to our Selection Committee members. Without your investment in this program, this event would not be delivered to the level that has earned us the reputation of the best award program in the interior.
We wish the very best of luck to all of this year’s award finalists. Whether you take an award home this evening or not, you have achieved much and deserve the prestigious recognition of a finalist in the 2022 Business Excellence Awards
Production Provided By
Production Partner
City of Kamloops Community Service Award
This Kamloops-based business has chosen to participate, support and engage in initiatives that enhance the quality of life and wellbeing in the community and supports these activities with time, investment and/or other resources. Developed a corporate culture of community/giving and supports community building efforts unrelated to their core mandate. A reputation of outstanding commitment to the betterment of the community and enhancing the lives of those around them.
Andre’s Electronic Experts Retailer of the Year
This Kamloops-area business that is primarily involved in selling retail goods must demonstrate providing superior customer service and creativity in reaching target markets. Demonstrate a strong customer service training program. Have a reputation of excellent product knowledge. Demonstrate a commitment to providing quality products
People in Motion Service Provider 1 – 10 Staff Award
This Kamloops-area business with 1-10 staff must demonstrate a proven track record of providing superior service to assist clients in achieving their own objectives. Have a comprehensive, ongoing employee training program. Offer a unique value proposition and major strengths amongst competition. Explain overall commitment to its customers. Has consistently innovated and can demonstrate how they stay ahead of the curve
Kamloops This Week Service Provider 11+ Staff Award
This Kamloops-area business with 11+ staff must demonstrate a proven track record of providing superior service to assist clients in achieving their own objectives. Have a comprehensive, ongoing employee training program. Offer a unique value proposition and major strengths amongst competition. Explain overall commitment to its customers. Has consistently innovated and can demonstrate how they stay ahead of the curve.
Rocky Mountaineer Environmental Leadership Award
This Kamloops-area business or not for profit organization demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental leadership in three or more of the following categories.
o Waste prevention
o Recycling, re-purposing, re-using, circular economy
o Purchasing and procurement policies
o Energy and water conservation
o Transportation
o Operations
o Stakeholder engagement and participation in development of environmental policies
o Other as explained by the nominee
Relevant contributions outlined in the nomination shall be ongoing and have occurred within the 12 months prior to the date of the nomination.
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Excellence in Trades Award
This Kamloops-area business is involved in the trades and has demonstrated success through:
• Provides trades-industry services including:
o Automotive
o Electrical – Construction, Industrial
o Instrumentation and Control
o Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
o Heavy Mechanical
o Piping Trades – Plumbing, Steam fitting, Pipefitting, Sprinkler fitting
o Power Engineering
o Welding
o Other as demonstrated by the nominee
Exhibiting a history of excellence in the area of workplace safety. A positive reputation of integrity and leadership within the industry. Provides a quality, certified service and actively seeks ways to enhance offerings. Excellent client and/or employee relationships
Open Door Group Inclusive Leadership Award
This Kamloops-area employer can explain the intentions of their overall inclusivity and diversity efforts and their impacts. This can be illustrated as broad statistics or as a specific single success story. Showcase how they are changing the culture of the workplace and community. Demonstrate examples of how they make positive change. Explain what Inclusive Leadership means to them. Employers of all sizes are encouraged to apply, whether private, public or not for profit sector.
BCLC Innovation Award
Criteria: This Kamloops-area business or not-for-profit must have a proven record of thriving by adopting, developing and/or creating tools or technology within key areas of organizational operations including:
o Manufacturing
o Distribution
o Information Technology, communications
o Marketing, communications
o Service experience
o Human resources and people management
o Professional services
o Creative services
Instills a culture of innovation and continual learning within the organization.
Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Indigenous Business Excellence Award
This Kamloops or Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc -area business must be at least 51% Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) owned and operated and must provide a description of the business’ mission, vision, goals, ownership structure, number of employees, number of years in operation; include background information about the nominee &/or business and if the business has an Indigenous employment strategy. Include a description of past and present successes. A description of challenges your business has faced; include your story of resilience and recovery. How have Indigenous values been helpful to the current situation? How has it impacted your business plan and financial outlook? A description of benefits provided to the community, employees, environment, etc. Showcase the benefits provided to the community, employees, environment etc. Explain the Indigenous partner’s role in the Indigenous-Industry partnership, if applicable.
Surerus Murphy Joint Venture Not-For-Profit of the Year
This Kamloops-area not-for-profit organization must be incorporated as a society or charitable organization. Explain mission and purpose and how the work positively contributes/builds community. Showcase how the work positively contributes / builds community. Show organizational excellence with clear policies. Proven record of organizational growth and financial sustainability. Explain unique value proposition and describe the impacts of the organizations work.
Community Futures Thompson Country Emerging Business of the Year
This Kamloops-area non franchised business or start up has been in operation between 1 and 3 years. Demonstrated proactive and innovation leadership within their business or industry. Demonstrated measurable success, growth, or promise as a business and/or as an employer. Practiced good corporate citizenship and made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment as an employer. Developed expanding positive reputation and has good growth potential. Demonstrates stable operations. Demonstrates community involvement and activity (engagement). Demonstrates willingness to engage with the business community
Community Futures Central Interior First Nation Employer of the Year
This Kamloops-area business must demonstrate exceptional commitment to employees through competitive employment packages. Dedication to provide professional development and/or advancement opportunities. Pride in intentional workplace culture and focus on work/life balance, in addition to employee recognition and rewards programs. Minimum of 5 Full Time Employees.
Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics
Nominee must be the founder or owner of a company and be 35 years of age or younger at the time of nomination submission. Demonstrate a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, creativity and purpose. Has clear vision, and proven ability of achieving professional and personal goals. Demonstrate measurable success and growth as a business and as an employer. Be developing a positive reputation within the business community through excellent product or service offerings.
Venture Kamloops Small Business of the Year
This Kamloops-area, non franchised business, with 1 – 10 full time employees, has demonstrated success through commitment to providing quality products and or services with a wealth of knowledge for customer/client benefit. Proven ability to demonstrate innovation and creativity, within business operations and/or organizational problem solving. Ability to develop excellent relationships with employees, vendors, suppliers and customers. Stable business operations or solid business plan ideas for growth strategy
Abbott Wealth Management – Harbourfront Wealth Management Business Person of the Year
This Kamloops-area business person must be the founder, owner, CEO, President or Senior Executive of a company(ies). Demonstrate positive economic and/or social impact on the region. Exemplify civic community leadership through company and/or volunteer efforts. A personal reputation of outstanding commitment to the betterment of the community and enhancing the lives of those around them.
FIT Financial Business of the Year
Business of the Year is chosen from all the winning businesses in the other categories by the Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce Land Trust Tax Policy
We need your help – together we are going to tackle affordable housing in an innovative way which empowers communities across Canada to hold land for the community benefit – forever. Ensuring affordability for future generations while driving. This will make a meaningful difference to all Canadians – this is the power of policy with the Chamber of Commerce! Follow the link below or at the table in the hall to sign the petition. We need your support to bring this to the Federal Government.
This is just a sample of some of the good work going on behind the scenes, that is guided by our membership. The Chamber offers many other meaningful opportunities that support the local business community and is proud to have hosted this awards program for 36 consecutive years.
Sign up to receive the petition here.
Experience Partners
Chamber Board / Staff / Committees
EXECUTIVE
President – Kate Stebbings, Trans Mountain Corporation
1st Vice President – Tim Shoults, Thompson Region Division of Family Practice Society
2nd Vice President – Cindy Piva, Thrive Business Strategies
Treasurer – Ab Ashok, Independent
Secretary – Alicia Glaicar, Gillespie & Company LLP
DIRECTORS
Nicholas Adams, Interior Display Services
George Casimir, CFDC of Central Interior First Nations
Sara Lawson, Schoening Funeral Services Associates
Mickael Maddison, SilverServers Inc.
Michael Martens, Rocky Mountaineer
Colin O’Leary, O’Leary & Associates Ltd.
Phillip Stagg-Tanner, Acres Enterprises
Rick Welch, NRB Modular Solutions
PAST PRESIDENT
Daniel Carroll, Fulton
REPRESENTATIVE
BC Chamber of Commerce Director – Korah De Walt, New Gold Inc.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Director – Aleece Laird, Amplify Consulting Inc.
Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc – Tkwenem7íple7 Joshua Gottfriedson
City of Kamloops – Mayor Ken Christian
STAFF
Acacia Pangilinan, Executive Director
Brian Jones, Manager – Development & Membership
Nic Zdunich, Manager – External Relations & Strategic Communications
Deanna Groess, Executive Assistant
Specialty Drink Provided By
Selection Committee Members
Alan Kerr
Adrian Wall
Andrea Fernandes
Anjali Aman
Anna Harrison
Blair Gray
Briar Beers
Chris Wilson
Clark Grieve
Cole Weber
Dana Koch
Danalee Baker
Debora Delyzer
Devin Gambler
Franca Muraca
Jennifer Harbaruk
Jim Anderson
John Campbell
John Mercuri
Josie Howitt
Justin Donaldson
Leonard Jackson
Max Patel
Nicole Bruce
Rob Mensinger
Ryan Beers
Shannon Mitchell
Spencer Toth
Taylor Bertoli
Trish Donald
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