This year’s Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Business Achievement Awards finalists have been announced with the number of contenders exceeding any past year’s count.
“I think the increase in nominations partly reflects the positive performance of much of the business community in the past year,” said Kim Smythe, CEO of the chamber. “Many businesses are proud of their successes and happy to join in celebrating this and their colleagues accomplishments in 2016.”
This is the 17th annual event presented by the chamber. Nominations were open to all businesses in the greater Nanaimo area. Finalists were determined by a points system which identified top point earners only. If the spread was too great from first place to second, only the first place is recognized.
Micro Business of the Year: NYLA Fresh Thread; VI Granite and Quartz Countertops; Proline Management Ltd.
Small and Medium Enterprise of the Year: G.T. Hiring; Church Pickard Chartered Professional Accountants; Foley Dog Treat Company Inc.
Major Employer of the Year: Quality Foods; Tilray.
Young Entrepreneur: VI Granite & Quartz Countertops Ltd.; Elite Image; Oceanvale Mortgage & Finance.
Restaurant of the Year: Baby Salsa Mexican Restaurant; Powerhouse Living Foods; Milton Street Public House.
Arts & Culture Business of the Year: Nanaimo Art Gallery: Vancouver Island Symphony; Dale Schulz - Artist.
Professional Services Business of the Year: Primal Communications; Raymond James; Church Pickard Chartered Professional Accountants.
Planning / Design Firm of the Year: Datum Point Studios; The Vancouver Island Chapter: Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association.
Developer / Builder of the Year: Alair Homes; B. Gallant Homes; Windley Contracting Ltd.
Technology-Based Business of the Year: Seamor Marine; Resonance Software; Pixelstream Communications.
Sustainability Excellence of the Year: Nanaimo North Town Centre; Chatwin Engineering.
Healthcare / Medical Service Business of the Year: Nanaimo Child Development Centre; Tilray
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility: CCCU; Coast Hotel; Nanaimo Clippers; Nanaimo Precast Ltd.
Social Enterprise of the Year: Coco Café; Charlie’s Closet.
Not For Profit Organization of the Year: Vancouver Island Crisis Society; BC SPCA Nanaimo & District Branch; Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society
Inclusive Employer of the Year: Tim’s Automotive Repair & Used Car Sales; MBA Games; London Drugs
Automotive Business of the Year: Tim’s Auto; Trojan Collision
Building Trades Business of the Year: Mazzei Electric
Retailer of the Year: McLean’s Specialty Foods
The Business Achievement Awards will be presented in an Oscar-style red carpet event at the Port Theatre on May 4. Reserved seats are available at the Port Theatre ticket centre at www.porttheatre.com.
“Paparazzi, upscale appies, plenty of bubbly available, the Wellington Jazz Combo in the lobby, 10-piece big band ‘Decadence’ on stage to help welcome winners to the podium, and an after party in the lobby will add to the festive atmosphere,” Smythe said.
For more information, please visit www.nanaimochamber.bc.ca.