Online voting is now underway for the 2014 Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
The top five finalists in the 13 categories were announced at a ceremony on Feb. 4, with online voting beginning at midnight on Feb. 5.
The finalists are:
Aboriginal Business of the Year: Gat Leedm Logistics, Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society, Kaien Safety Group, Lighten Up Electric and Rupert Lawn and Garden.
Business of the Year: Maher Terminals Canada, McDonald’s, Pacific Inn, Pacific NorthWest LNG and Rona Tyee Building Supplies.
Chamber Member of the Year: Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest, Leanne Enns, Northern Savings Credit Union, Michal Sluka and Rosa Miller.
Child-Friendly Business of the Year: Fishskin Fabrics, Good Times Games and Electronics, Little Anchor’s Children’s Consignments, Northern Savings Credit Union, Posh Pirates and the Prince Rupert Curling Club.
Community Involvement Award: Good Times Games and Electronics, Northern Savings Credit Union, Pacific NorthWest LNG, Red Shadow Boxing and Fitness and Ridley Terminals Inc.
Excellence in Customer Service: The Argosy, Eddie’s Newstand and Novelties, Fresh Onion Cafe and Catering, Lighten Up Electric and Northern Savings Credit Union.
Green Award: The Argosy, Fukasaku of Prince Rupert, Little Anchors Children’s Consignment, Posh Pirates and Rupert Lawn and Garden.
Newsmaker of the Year: BG Canada, Cowpuccino’s Coffee House, Dolly’s Fish Market, Pacific NorthWest LNG, Prince Rupert Constructors/Coast Industrial Construction and Royal LePage Prince Rupert.
Rookie Business of the Year: Fukasaku of Prince Rupert, Lighten Up Electric, Posh Pirates, Rupert Lawn and Garden and Trishan Food Market.
Small Business of the Year-Industry, Manufacturing and Transportation: Advantage Print and Design, Bandstra Transportation Systems, Harbour Machining, Rupert Wood N’ Steel Construction and Wainwright Marine Services.
Small Business of the Year-Hospitality, Tourism and Service: Baker Boy, Cowpuccino’s Coffee House, Javadotcup, Prince Rupert Adventure Tours/Westcoast Launch and Royal LePage Prince Rupert.
Small Business of the Year-Retail: City Furniture and Appliances, Eddie’s Newstand and Novelties, Kaien Office Essentials, Loaded Sports and Sea Sport Outboard Marina and Clothing.
Volunteer Organization of the Year: Jazz Productions Association, Prince Rupert Marine Rescue Society, Prince Rupert Rotary Club, Prince Rupert Seafarers Centre and Success by Six Prince Rupert.
This year 299 people voted on nominees to determine the finalists, which is up by 50 from last year.
To register to vote for finalists, visit awards.princerupertchamber.ca. The winners will be announced at the Business Excellence Awards gala on Feb. 28.
