The South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual Business Excellence and Citizen of the Year gala banquet at the 100 Mile Community Hall on March 9 was a resounding success.
The hall was abuzz with excitement, as folks whose businesses and organizations had been nominated for awards chatted with fellow business owners and friends.
All of the tables were full and many people took advantage of the opportunity to dress up a bit, with the underlying black-and-white theme.
Local singer and former South Cariboo Idol winner Candace Copely provided the easy-listening entertainment during cocktail hour.
After dinner and before the business awards presentation, the Cariboo Square Dancers hopped onto the floor and did some square and round dancing – much to the delight of the audience members who urged them on with some boisterous clapping.
Councillor Ralph Fossum gave a message on behalf of the District of 100 Mile House, and Cariboo Regional District Area H Director Margo Wagner, who was a Citizen of the Year nominee, provided the message from the regional district.
Chamber president Tom Bachynski and chamber director Sean Watson, both of whom were Citizen of the Year nominees, shared the duties as masters of ceremonies.
Bachynski says he thought the event went off very well.
“Psalm 23 Society did a fantastic job of catering and I thought the decorators did a great job of decorating. There was a lot of enthusiasm … there was a good positive energy going on there and it was kind of cool.”
He talked about volunteerism and the value the Communities in Bloom project brings to the district. Bachynski noted the local community needs more help and urged those in the audience to get on board to help beautify the community.
His final message was about the “10% shift,” which is a local shopping program.
“We all spend money out of town or at big box stores … whether it’s a bag of coffee beans, a suit or a car, we all spend money out of town.
“The whole idea of the 10% shift is to conscientiously know what you’re spending out of town and take 10 per cent of that and spend it back in town. Take the 10 per cent, shop small and put some might back in downtown.”
Then it was time to hand out the Business Excellence Awards.
All 10 categories had several nominations and every one of those businesses deserved to be there not only for their contributions to the business community but also for their tremendous contributions to 100 Mile House and the surrounding communities.
Awards
• The Family Friendly Business Award, sponsored by the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre, was won by Canlan Ice Sports.
• Greatest Improvement 2012, sponsored by Western Financial Group, was awarded to the Williams Lake and District Credit Union-100 Mile House Branch.
• Top Manager/Owner Under 40 Award, sponsored by Investment Planning Counsel, was presented to Leslie Glen of Gold Trail Recycling.
• Tourism/Recreation Award, sponsored by Regency Chrysler, went to The Hills Health Ranch.
• Best Marketing and Promotion, sponsored by the 100 Mile House Free Press, was awarded to Sunrise Ford.
• Community Living Award, sponsored by the Cedar Crest Society for Community Living, went to the 100 Mile House Free Press.
• Best Home-based Business Award, sponsored by the Bank of Montreal, was won by Creating Joy in Art.
• Best New Business, sponsored by the Williams Lake and District Credit Union-100 Mile Branch, was awarded to CaribooRadio.Com.
• Non-profit Organ-ization of the Year Award, sponsored by Work n Play, was won by the Psalm 23 Society.
• People’s Choice Award – Best Business, sponsored by Tim Hortons, was captured by Sunrise Ford.
The People’s Choice Award is the only category that invited the general public to vote for the winner, as the other awards were voted on by chamber members.
