Seven Summerland businesses are among 80 finalists in the Grant Thornton LLP Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards.
The awards are to be presented in Kelowna on June 14.
The nomination deadline for the awards, featuring businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region, from Kamloops to Osoyoos, was May 1.
Grant Thornton LLP is the title platinum sponsor for the event.
Black Press is the print media sponsor for the event, which is coordinated by Business Examiner Thompson Okanagan newspaper.
“We are astounded by the number of finalists, which came from all over the region,” said Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner Thompson Okanagan.
“We are ecstatic with the response, as we had over 200 businesses as part of the nomination process.”
A team of independent judges located throughout the Thompson Okanagan region will adjudicate nominations.
Judges for the awards include Maxine DeHart of the Ramada Hotel, a Kelowna city councillor and business columnist; Jim Anderson, executive director of Venture Kamloops; Glenn Mandziuk, president and CEO of Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association; and Anthony Haddad and Jennifer Vincent of Penticton’s Economic Development Office.
The seven Summerland nominees are Dirty Laundry Winery, Grasslands Nursery, Maple Roch Pure Canadian Maple Syrup, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Swiss Solar Tech Ltd., True Grain Bread and Zias Stonehouse Restaurant.
The awards are the first of what is hoped to become an annual event.
