It was a gala evening and a full house at the 17th annual South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) Business Excellence Awards (formally known as the Academy Awards of Business) and Citizen of the Year Award banquet April 9 at The Hills Health Ranch.
“I think it was the best awards banquet in a long, long time,” says SCCC vice-president Tom Bachynski.
“It was very festive, and after a couple of tough years in the retail business, it was nice to come out and get reacquainted with your fellow business people.”
The evening began with the start of the silent auction, and a mixer while Candace Copley provided the entertainment.
The master of ceremonies for the event was Chris Pettman who was given the award of SCCC Director of the Year.
Following a welcome address by chamber president Vern Peever, the sponsors of the Business Awards presented the awards to the winners:
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Theo Wiering of Canada’s Log People/108 Resort.
• South Caribooster Awards, a tie between Birgit Bienek and the South Cariboo Garlic Festival.
• Home Based Business, In/ex Virtual Photo Tours.
• Newsmaker of the Year, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett.
• Greatest Improvement, Mount Timothy Ski Area.
• New Business, Cariboo Locksmith.
• Non-profit Organization, 100 Mile House & District Soccer Association.
• Business of the Year, 108 Resort.
• Citizen of the Year, Chris Nickless and Arla Driver.
• Customer Service, Donex Pharmacy & Department Store.
•People’s Choice Award for Best Business, Williams Lake & District Credit Union.
“The business community is alive and well in 100 Mile House and area. We may need a bigger venue for next year’s awards,” says Bachynski.
