The countdown is on to complete nominations for the sixth annual Mid-Island Science Technology and Innovation Council (MISTIC) Innovation Awards.
Nominations are due Sept. 16 and can be made directly online at www.mistic.ca. The awards recognize the achievements of businesses and individuals that are pushing boundaries, engaging in technology and developing creative concepts within the region.
MISTIC welcomes nominations for the best and the brightest from across Vancouver Island (Malahat North to the tip of the Island), the Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands. For established businesses, startups or entrepreneurial students, there are 12 award categories to choose from.
A shortlist of nominees for each category will be announced in October and the winners will be announced on the evening of Nov. 2 in Nanaimo in an Oscar-style ceremony with innovative techie twists at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
This year’s award categories are:
• Advanced Manufacturing Award
• Agri Foods Award
• Digital Media Award
• Emerging Product Award
• Environmental Excellence Award
• Island SRED Excellence in Innovation Award
• ICET Excellence in Technology Award
• Information Technology Award
• Innovative Start-up of the Year Award
• ASTTBC Technology Leadership Award
• Value Added Product Award
• VICC Young Innovator Award.
“The awards are about recognizing the wealth of technology, ideas and creativity on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands,” says Paris Gaudet, MISTIC executive director. “There is a variety of businesses and individuals who are living innovation through their ideas and pushing boundaries with interesting concepts that will move the region into the future, both locally and abroad.”
MISTIC’s Innovation Island Tradeshow is the leadup to the Innovation Awards. The tradeshow is an all-day event on Nov. 2 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre and is open to the public.
You can experience first-hand the innovative products and services that are manufactured right here on Vancouver Island. A series of keynote speakers will be scheduled who are leaders in technology and innovation.
Exhibitors at the tradeshow will have the opportunity to be nominated for the coveted People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the evening Award ceremony.
Exhibitors can register for a booth at www.mistic.ca.
MISTIC is the only council north of Victoria that encourages growth of the knowledge-based industries through programs, Business Coaching and support for their ideas. MISTIC is a non-profit organization committed to promoting technology on Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands and is supported through the BC Innovation Council.
— Mid-Island Science Technology and Innovation Council
