Kamloops Chamber & MNP Business Excellence Awards Nominees Announced

Kamloops, BC – Despite the ongoing pandemic, the Kamloops Chamber & MNP received over 360 nominations for the 35th Annual Business Excellence Awards. The merit-based awards celebrate innovative entrepreneurs and local community leaders in 16 diverse award categories as determined by an independent selection committee. 

 

“With the recent decrease in cases and restrictions easing, there is a renewed sense of optimism for business owners that sooner than later things will return to normal. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate those entrepreneurs and businesses that have successfully navigated through these challenging times and come out stronger.” – Jessy Sra, Partner, MNP, Private Enterprise. 

 

The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce has recognized ingenuity and determination through its annual awards program since 1986. As the community slowly re-opens and recovers from COVID-19, the awards will be handed out again via a low-capacity, decentralized event live-streamed from four partner restaurants from across the city with the help of GK Sound on Thursday, October 21. 

 

What is next for the nominees? The independent selection committee will now be tasked with reviewing each nominees written submission and will conduct an interview with each business. Once completed, the selection committee will provide the scores to MNP, who will tabulate them to determine who will become a finalist in each award category. The finalist's will be announced later this summer.

 

“Once again, our team is thrilled to be able to directly support our hospitality partners who have adapted and pivoted, again and again, throughout the pandemic. I want to thank all the Business Excellence Awards sponsors. Your ongoing support allows us to advocate for, support and celebrate our local businesses” – Acacia Pangilinan, Executive Director, Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. 

 

The Kamloops Chamber received a total of 367 nominations in 16 award categories, recognizing 95 unique businesses. Details about how you can participate at-home will be released later this summer. You can find a complete list of nominees below.

35th Annual Business Excellence Award Nominees 

Please note – not all nominees are eligible for the categories nominated for.

 

Business Person of the Year

Joshua Knaak, Arpa Investments

Cjay Boisclair, Askem Productions 
Chrissy Robinson, Blowfish Hair Studio 
Fernando Silva, Brazilian Dog Guru Facility 
Mary Widmer, C&C: Resources for Life 
Lucki Khurana, Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy 
Bradley Young, Diverse Training Center 
Cindy Humphrey, Earls Kitchen + Bar 
Lisa Graham, Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co. 
Greg Klohn, GK Sound 
Leo Baggio, Jim Pattison Broadcast Group 
Carmen & Jul Morken, JUL Construction Ltd. 
Natalie Ofukany, Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops-Lashed by Natalie 
Craig LeBeau, LeBeau Bros Logging 
Mary MacGregor, Mary MacGregor Law Corporation, 
Margot Middleton, Middleton Energy 
Ryan Holowachuk, Noran Printing 
Regina Bittner-Rothbart, Nuance Dance Studio 
Debora Delyzer, People In Motion 
Nicole & Barry Persaud, Peter’s Pasta 
Adrianne Erlandson, Scoopz Ice Cream Parlour 
Dawn Mackenzie, Seasons Health Therapies 
Jake Birkeland, Strength Camp Kamloops 
Maeghan Summers, The Noble Pig 
Alex, Zalmai, Thompson Cleaners & Tailors 

 

City of Kamloops | Community Service Award

A Groess Underground 
Blowfish Hair Studio 
Brazilian Dog Guru Facility 
C&C: Resources for Life 
Lyons Landscaping 
Save on Foods – Westsyde 
Seasons Health Therapy 
Summit Eyecare Centre 

 

Development of the Year

ARPA Investments 
BC SPCA 
Kelson Group 
Nationwide Self Storage & Express Auto Spa 

 

Environmental Stewardship Award

A Groess Underground 
Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. 
Fiddleheads Violin Studio 
Lyons Landscaping 
Maxwell Mechanical 
Monte Creek Ranch + Winery 
Riverside Energy Systems 

 

Employer of the Year

C&C: Resources for Life 
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre 
Cutting Edge Group 
Earls Kitchen + Bar 
Far & Wide 
Forward Law LLP 
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co 
JUL Construction Ltd. 
Kelson Group 
LeBeau Bros Logging 
Lyons Landscaping 
Natural Smiles Denture Clinic 
NextGen Electrical Services Ltd. 
Noran Printing 
Save on Foods – Westsyde

 

Open Door Group | Inclusive Leadership Award

ARPA Investments 
Askem Productions 
Berwick on the Park 
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre 
Far & Wide 
Kamloops Indian Band Development Corporation 
Lyons Landscaping 
New Afton 
People In Motion 

 

Venture Kamloops | Small Business of the Year

ARPA Investments 
Askem Productions 
Blowfish Hair Studio 
Blue Sky Consulting Inc. 
Brazilian Dog Guru Facility 
C&C: Resources for Life 
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre 
Coppertree Millworks 
Cruizin K9 Pet Adventure Company 
Cutting Edge Group 
Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy 
DNM Enterprises 
Empire Dental by Dr. Dhaval Admar 
Far & Wide 
Fiddleheads Violin Studio 
Forward Law LLP 
Freeze Athletics 
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co 
GK Sound 
Hoja Mongolian Grill 
Jamaican Kitchen 
JUL Construction Ltd. 
Kamloops Urban Tailz Pet Care 
Kirsten’s Hideout 
Kitchen Studio 
Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops – Lashed by Natalie 
Natural Smiles Denture Clinic 
Noran Printing 
Nuance Dance Studio 
NuLeaf Produce Market 
Ocean Pacific Adventure Sports 
Oxygen Yoga and Fitness 
Peter’s Pasta 
PostIdol Media Ltd. 
Psychocity Tattoo and Apparel 
Rapid Cool Refrigeration Inc. 
Real Deals on Home Decor 
Robin’s Room 
Scott’s Inn & Restaurant 
Seasons Health Therapies 
Signet Studio 
Spot On Interior Design 
Strength Camp Kamloops 
Summit Eyecare Centre 
Surplus Herby’s 
Sweet Home Cafe 
Thompson Cleaners & Tailors 
Tiffany Christianson Photography 
We Are One Composites 

 

Design & Manufacturer Award

Riverside Energy Systems 
Motivo Design Group 
Noran Printing 
Portfolio Interiors 
We Are One Composites 

 

Kubera | Retailer of the Year

Erwin’s Fine Baking & Delicatessen 
Far & Wide 
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co 
Little River Boatworld 
NuLeaf Produce Market 
Portfolio Interiors 
Rapid Cool Refrigeration Inc. 
Real Deals on Home Decor 
Save on Foods – Westsyde 
Surplus Herby’s 

 

CN | Service Provider 1 – 10 Staff Award

Askem Productions 
Brazilian Dog Guru Facility 
CentreCore HVAC Systems 
Cruizin K9 Pet Adventure Company 
Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy 
Force Electric Ltd. 
GK Sound 
Kirsten’s Hideout 
Kitchen Studio 
Maxwell Mechanical 
Noran Printing 
Nuance Dance Studio 
Ocean Pacific Adventure Sports 
Real Deals on Home Decor 
Seasons Health Therapies 
Southgate Automotive and Radiator Service 
The Job Squad 
The Legacy Team 
Westsyde Dental Centre 

 

Kamloops This Week | Service Provider 11+ Staff Award

Berwick on the Park 
Earls Kitchen + Bar 
JUL Construction 
Kamloops Physiotherapy and Sports 
Kelson Group 
Little River Boatworld 
Middleton Energy 
NextGen Electrical Services Ltd. 
Rapid Cool Refrigeration Inc. 
Seasons Health Therapies 
Summit Eyecare Centre 
Tommy Guns 

 

BCLC | Innovation Award

Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. 
C&C: Resources for Life 
Cruizin K9 Pet Adventure Company 
Earls Kitchen + Bar 
Fresh Is Best Salsa & Co 
Kamloops Denture and Implant Centre 
Lyons Landscaping 
Monte Creek Ranch + Winery 
New Afton 
Riverside Energy Systems 
We Are One Composites 

 

CAPP | Excellence in Trades Award

ARPA Investments 
CentreCore HVAC Services 
Five Oak Contracting Ltd. 
Force Electric Ltd 
JUL Construction Ltd. 
Kelson Group 
Lyons Landscaping 
Maxwell Mechanical 
Middleton Energy 
NextGen Electrical Services Ltd. 
Noran Printing 
Riverside Energy Systems 
Twin River Plumbing and Heating 

 

Community Futures Thompson Country | Emerging Business of the Year Award

Bright Eye Brewing 
Brynn’s Bakery 
Digital Convergence 
Eat Clean Kamloops 
Friendly Composting Inc. 
Interior Naturopathic & Wellness 
Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops – Lashed by Natalie 
LMB Designs 
Muraca Notary Public 
Nationwide Self Storage & Express Auto Spa 
Our Footprints Eco Store & Refillery 
Pepper – Your Badass Business BFF Inc. 
PIZZA NOW 
River City Limo 
The Lux Loo 
The Vic Downtown 
Wealthy Roots Financial 
Yoga Now Kamloops 

 

TRU School of Business and Economics | Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Cassidy Watt, Cassidy Watt Artistry Collective 
Jesse Faubert, Common Sound 
Lucki Khurana, Dimensional Massage Therapy / Muva Physiotherapy 
Bradley Young, Diverse Training Center 
Dr. Dhaval Admar, Empire Dental by Dr. Dhaval Admar 
Calli Duncan, Far & Wide 
Keri Lewis & Aly Bradford, Freeze Athletics 
Natalie Ofukany, Lash Glow Bar Kamloops – Lashed by Natalie 
Jon Hudon, Ocean Pacific Adventure Sports 
Jake Birkeland – Strength Camp Kamloops 

 

Not-For-Profit of the Year

ASK Wellness 
BC Interior Community Foundation 
BC SPCA 
BIG Little Science Centre 
Boys and Girls Club Kamloops 
Children’s Therapy and Family Resource Centre 
Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations 
Kamloops and District Elizabeth Fry Society 
Kamloops Child Development Society 
Mt. Paul Community Food Centre 
Phoenix Centre 
Royal Inland Hospital Foundation 
Societa Di M.S. Cristoforo Colombo 
The Kamloops Exploration Group 
The Mustard Seed Kamloops 
Volunteer Kamloops 

 

Media Sponsors:  

CFJC-TV

CFJC-Today

B100

98.3 CIFM

Castanet Kamloops