Dan Ebenal
Black Press
They’re the ones who keep our vehicles running, help bring the food to our table and even find that table for us all to sit around. And now Island residents have a chance to honour those family businesses that make a difference in our communities.
The Family Business Association Vancouver Island is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Family Business Excellence Award. The award is presented annually to recognize, celebrate and promote achievements of Canadian family businesses and the considerable contribution they make to both their local communities and our national economy.
“In B.C., 80 per cent of businesses are family owned or operated. This is our opportunity to pay tribute to all the great work they’re doing for our community and our economy,” said Stewart Story, president of the Family Business Association Vancouver Island.
Nominations are being accepted until Oct. 14, with the winner announced in November. The award finalists will be honoured at a celebration gala Feb. 9, 2017 at Saanich’s Beach House Restaurant.
To nominate a family business (including your own) visit the website familybusinessassociationvi.ca or contact executive director Bernadine Rudichuk at 250-532-2402 or email info@fbavancouverisland.ca. Businesses must be family owned, rather than by an individual. A family-owned business is defined as an organization with one of the following characteristics: It has been owned and operated by different generations of a family; the potential exists for ownership to be passed on to a younger generation; more than one family member has active employment in an organization owned by a family.
The award – sponsored by Black Press, Hot House Marketing, Reed Pope Law and Country Grocer – has been presented in the past to such organizations as Wilson’s Transportation, Canada Homestay Network, Capital Iron, Country Grocer, McCall Brothers Funeral Directors, Pacific Sands Resort, Robinson’s Outdoor Store, Monk Office, and Accent Inns.
“We have a love affair with our community and we realized quite early in our business life that giving back is important,” Wilson’s Transportation CEO John Wilson said upon receiving last year’s award. “I’m very excited and honoured to be able to accept the award on behalf of my family and extended family here at Wilson’s.”
For more than 15 years the Family Business Association Vancouver Island has focused on providing relevant educational events and a framework for peer support groups for family businesses. Story said being able to mix and engage with other family businesses is often exactly what is needed to overcome the challenges of running a family business.
“It’s a way to find inspiration, ideas and energy from like-minded people who appreciate the opportunity to learn from each other,” he said.
