Small Business BC, the province’s premier resource centre for entrepreneurs, announced the official opening of the 13th Annual Small Business BC Awards on Oct. 1.
The awards recognize the outstanding achievements of British Columbia’s entrepreneurs. Submissions are now open for 10 award categories, including a new award for Best Apprentice Training.
Other categories include the Premier’s People’s Choice, Best International Trade, Best Emerging Entrepreneur, Best Company, Best Online Marketer, Best Employer, Best Concept, Best Community Impact and Best Workplace.
The Small Business BC Awards are the most visible awards program in B.C. for small business owners and entrepreneurs. A key part of the awards’ mission is to celebrate the contributions new and existing businesses registered in B.C., with fewer than 50 employees, make to their local communities and the global economy.
The contest is open for nominations and voting until Nov. 30, 2015. The public is invited to nominate their favourite small businesses for the Small Business BC Awards. Entrepreneurs may also nominate themselves.
“Small businesses are the backbone of communities across B.C.,” says Premier Christy Clark, “The Premier’s People’s Choice Award is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate a small business that goes the extra mile for its neighbours.”
Each award winner will receive the Premier’s Prize of $1,500 cash, a one-year All-Access Pass to Small Business BC education and resources, and one-on-one business mentorship opportunities with notable advisors from the award sponsors.
Nominated business owners will be tasked with gaining as many votes as possible through social media, word of mouth, e-mail or any other means possible by Nov. 30.
The Top 10 highest voted nominees in each category will be announced as finalists on Dec. 11 and then go on to submit an application that judges will use to determine the Top 5 finalists from each category, announced on Jan. 29, 2016. The Top 5 finalists will present a 10-minute Dragons’ Den-style pitch to judges to prove themselves as one of B.C.’s best.
The winners of each category will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony on Feb. 25, 2016 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel.
More details on the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca.
