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CVCC Business Excellence Awards winners
The 18th annual Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC) Business Excellence Awards was hosted for the first time ever at Panorama Mountain Resort Oct. 20 and as always it was a sold-out event!
Congratulations to the 77 finalists and the 13 winners! With the help of Inspire Floral Boutique, the Panorama Mountain Resort team transformed the Great Hall into an elegant mountain chic banquet room.
With over 190 guests the evening was an evening full of celebration and laughter. Starting with a wine tasting reception hosted by the College of the Rockies followed by a family style dinner prepared by Panorama’s culinary team and a variety of presentations before the awards and entertainment.
College of the Rockies President David Walls shared the new vision and successes of the college, including advising the audience that the CVCC advocacy for a two-year full-time hospitality program that will also address workforce shortages that tourism businesses experience in the busy seasons is currently being designed.
Dee Conklin a member of the CVCC board and on the fundraising committee for the Columbia Valley Community Centre showed an inspiring video about the new centre scheduled to open in 2017.
After the awards presentations Steve Paccagnan, President and CEO of Panorama Mountain Resort, generated several rounds of applause when he announced the January booking numbers for the resort and the crowd did not miss the economic impact of a sold out ski hill on the rest of the valley’s economic outlook.
The evening finished with the edgey comedic stylings of Lori Ferguson-Ford who filled the room with laughter.
But the reason we were all there was to celebrate business excellence in the Columbia Valley, handcrafted, unique pieces of art created by the Bavin Family were awarded to 13 very deserving individuals.
The selection committee didn’t have an easy task but they were able to select the following winners:
Professional Services – Sponsored by Community Futures East Kootenay – Maxwell Realty Invermere
Tourism / Hospitality – Sponsored by Fairmont Hot Springs Resort – Bighorn Meadows Resort
Food and Beverage – Sponsored by Bighorn Meadows Resort – Black Forest Restaurant
Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Rocky River Grill – Ag Valley Foods
Trade Services – Sponsored by Invermere Hardware and Building Supplies – Amped Up Electrical Service
Small Business Excellence – Sponsored by Fairmont Business Association – Palliser Printing & Publishing Ltd.
Business Excellence 10+ – Sponsored by Green Andruschuk LLP – Fairmont Creek Property Rentals
Employee of the Year – Sponsored by Fairmont Mountainside Vacation Villas – Christina Boucher
Not For Profit Organization – Sponsored by Columbia Valley Community Foundation – Hospice Society of The Columbia Valley
Young Entrepreneur – Sponsored by College Of The Rockies – Leanne Tegart
Business Leader – Sponsored by Ski Home Ltd.- Michael Anderson
New Business of the Year – Sponsored by Imagine Kootenay – Om Organics
Family Friendly Business – Sponsored by Family Daynamix – Main Street Fun & Games
“It was a great evening and the CVCC Board of Directors congratulates all the nominees, finalists and recipients and we look forward to another strong year of business growth and success do to the excellent products and services provided by businesses and their employees throughout the valley,” stated Chamber President Peter Smith.
Awards recipients said the recognition is rewarding.
“We are so grateful to be nominated and to win this award,” said Katie Wallace, True Key Marketing Manager. “Bighorn Meadows Resort and its team members go out of their way to make guests feel like there is no better place to be. Our outstanding service creates an environment that keeps guests returning year after year.”
The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce is an organization within the business community promoting and supporting responsible commerce through effective advocacy, communication, networking and education on behalf of its membership.
Lead image: The winners of the Business Excellence 10+ – Sponsored by Green Andruschuk LLP – Fairmont Creek Property Rentals. Fairmont Creek Property Rentals photo
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