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Business Excellence awarded in Cranbrook
The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business Excellence Awards Gala on Saturday night with a sold-out crowd of business leaders, industry representatives and even a few dignitaries from around the province.
The night did not disappoint with 13 local businesses receiving top honours in a variety of business categories. Event hosts Steve Mercandelli and Derek Kortschaga (pictured right) kept everyone on their heels with anticipation and some great laughs to ensure the night was a success.
Recognizing businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations for their successes and contributions to the local economy and our community. Now in its 28th year, the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards are the highest and most prestigious business honours in Cranbrook.
“At the chamber, we are very proud of our diverse and entrepreneurial business community,” said Chamber President Jason Fast. “The Business Excellence Awards celebrates the ‘best of the best’ as it relates to service, professionalism and ingenuity in Cranbrook’s business community and it is an opportunity to celebrate the successes of our members.”
This year over 119 nominations were received for over 80 businesses in the local area. All nominees were put through a juried panel system to determine the award recipient.
During the first week of March the Cranbrook Chamber office was buzzing with activity as interviews took place with excited nominees streaming through the doors to present to their panel of judges.
Each nominee received their framed certificate of nomination upon completion of their interview and many were seen proudly displayed around the community and taking over social media.
The intense excitement of these awards was evident as the ticket sales opened and quickly sold out.
The 2019 Business Excellence Awards Gala held Saturday, April 13 at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino was an outstanding sold-out success with over 265 business leaders and community members coming together to celebrate their own.
Congratulations to the 2019 Award Winners
Accredited Professional Services Excellence – Winner: Arch Allure Microblading (accepting Katherine Spring, right.)
Business of the Year 1-15 Employees – Winner: The Hearing Loss Clinic (accepting Gerry Rhodes, Becky Kamps, Crystal Thouret and Michelle Hatala.)
Business of the Year 16+ Employees – Winner: New Dawn Developments Ltd Business Person of the Year – Winner: Chris Thom – Dunlop Truck Centres, right.
Business to Business Excellence – Winner: Genex Marketing (Accepting Chris Botterill, right.)
Customer Service Excellence – Winner: Bighorn Electric Ltd. (Accepting Bronte Dickson, right.)
Hospitality & Tourism Excellence – Winner: The Heidout & Fisher Peak Brewing Co. (Accepting are Amanda Martz, left, and Rusty Cox, right.)
Inclusive Employer Award – Winner: Leiman Homes (Accepting Krister and Kevin Leiman)
New Business of the Year – Winner: Kootenay Farm to Folk (Accepting Rhianna and Jessy Embu.)
Non-Profit of the Year – Winner: East Kootenay MS Support Group (Accpeting John and Sylvia Leasak, right.)
Retailer Excellence – Winner: Huckleberry Books (Accepting Erin Dalton, right.)
Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Winner: Tamara Mercandelli, Christel Hagn, Caitlin Berkhiem of Soulfood, pictured left to second from right.)
Age Friendly Business Award – Winner: Auntie Barb’s Bakery (Accepting Barb and Todd Deboice, left.)
Business Of the Year 16+ Employees – Winner New Dawn Developments Ltd. (Accepting Chad Jensen, right)
“On behalf of the board of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce, I would like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees of the 2019 Business Excellence Awards, and we wish you continued success in the future,” Fast (pictured right) stated.
Pictures of the Gala event will be available online through the chamber website or through e-KNOW (now published).
Photos by Carrie Schafer and Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce
