Business excellence celebrated at gala

NEWS/ BUSINESS — There were 468 nominations, 179 finalists and 15 awards, and it all came down to the 29th annual Business Excellence Awards on Saturday night.

A sold-out crowd of 440 at the Coast Kamloops Conference Centre watched as the winners were announced. Among the big award winners were Norm Daley of Daley & Company Cbhartered Accountants for Business Person of the Year and Scorpion Technologies for Business of the Year.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our vibrant business community,” said Kamloops Chamber of Commerce president Aleece Laird. “These businesses truly exemplify the incredible work ethic and spirit our community is so known for.”

The chamber once again teamed up with TD to host the awards.

The winners were chosen by an independent selection committee. Business of the year was picked by the chamber board and award sponsor Community Futures.

In addition to the 15 winners chosen through the nomination process, the President’s Award is given at the discreition of the chamber president to someone who has made a difference in the community. Laird chose long-time community booster Dr. Gur Singh to receive that award.

Winners of this year’s awards:

· Excel Personnel Business Person of the Year – Norman Daley, Daley & Company Chartered Accountants LLP

· Community Futures Business of the Year – Scorpion Technologies Ltd.

· Home Hardware Aboriginal Business of the Year – Tk’emlups Petro Canada

· Nutech Safety Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Angela Veltri, Kix 4 Chix Kamloops

· Aberdeen Mall Retailer Award 1-10 Staff – Aglow Bridal Lounge

· Underwriters Insurance Brokers Retailer Award 11+ Staff – Princess Auto

· BDC Manufacturer Award – Riversong Guitars

· TRU Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts & Tourism and Tourism Sun Peaks Tourism Award – Harper’s Trail Estate Winery

· BCLC Technology Innovator Award – Scorpion Technologies Ltd.

· KGHM International – Ajax Project Home Based Business of the Year – The Great Canadian Dog Academy & The Buckhorn Dog Ranch

· Berwick on the Park Service Provider Award 1-10 Staff – Rozalind Ewashina Photography

· Kamloops Lincoln Service Provider Award 11+ Staff – Berwick on the Park

· Venture Kamloops Resource Industry Award – Finning Kamloops

· BC Hydro Green Award 1-10 Staff – Nuggles! Cloth Diaper Co.

· Rocky Mountaineer Green Award 11+ Staff – ARC Asphalt Recycling Inc.

· City of Kamloops Community Service Award – NL Broadcasting Ltd.

· President’s Award – Dr. Gur Singh.