Mark your calender, this year’s Annual Business Excellence Awards presented by the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, will take place on October 3.
Although the awards may look different this year, they are still taking place. As of Wednesday, July 15, nominations are now open.
Board president of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, Nicole Clark thinks this year’s event will be a memorable one.
“Teri and the events committee are busy planning what should be a historic event, unlike any BA’s we’ve ever hosted before, as they navigate the pandemic and ensure that whatever form it takes, everyone will be safe to celebrate,” said Clark at a July 15 press conference.
This year marks the 33rd business excellence awards, and Clark said they are proud and excited to recognize ‘outstanding’ local businesses and business leaders.
“This year it’s particularly humbling and gratifying as we move through what has been the most challenging time for business, at least in my lifetime. It’s more important than ever to support our local business community and one way that we can do that at the chamber, is by celebrating them,” said Clark.
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This year there will be ten award categories, down from 16. In establishing the categories, the chamber worked to broaden and make them more inclusive.
This year’s categories are as follows:
- Hospitality excellence
- Service excellence
- Not-for-profit excellence
- Community support excellence
- Workplace culture excellence
- New business of the year
- Growth and development excellence
- Young professional of the year
- Business leader of the year
- Business of the year award
- David Kampe Legacy award
Whether or not the chamber hosts in-person awards, or virtual, will depend on the health orders in place at the time, explained Clark.
The planning committee currently is examining many options, and planning for several different scenarios.
Their first option would be multiple celebrations across the community, on the patios of various restaurants, wineries and breweries.
The chamber will be working with videographers to highlight the top three businesses nominated in each category, which can be showcased everywhere.
This format would also allow the chamber to go virtual, if need be.
The third option, their last resort, would be a virtual announcement of all the nominees and winners.
However if possible, the committee will host an event that still allows the community to connect and simultaneously support the business community.
“There has never been a more important time than now to celebrate the successes in our business community, and we look forward to seeing you there,” said Tracy Van Raes, manager of marketing and community relations at Total Restoration Services, the title sponsor this year.
Nominees do not have to be members of the chamber; any local business or individual can be nominated, by anyone.
Starting today, nominations are open until August 18.
When a business is nominated, they will receive a phone call, followed by an email. After completing a form, the nomination committee will review this, and narrow it down to the top three finalists.
Following this, videographers will showcase what the businesses do, which will help the selection committee in their decisions.
Visit Penticton.org/events/2020-business-excellence-awards to place your nominations.
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