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Since 1986, Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing local businesses for outstanding achievement. Now more than ever, the local business community can use your support.
From start-ups to local legends, the awards shine a light on hard-working businesses, business-people and community leaders in 16 categories worth celebrating. Finalists are selected by an independent selection committee.
General Award Criteria
- Any for-profit, non-government-owned business or individual may be nominated for any award category, with the exception of Not-for-Profit of the Year.
- Not-for-profit organizations (excluding governments) may be nominated for the Environmental Leadership Award, Innovation Award, Inclusive Leadership Award and Not-for-Profit of the Year.
- Businesses must have a valid business license. Not-for-profits must have valid incorporation or charity number.
- Nominee must have been in business for a minimum of three years, with the exception of the Emerging Business of the Year Award category.
- Organizations, businesses or individuals may not nominate themselves for any award.
- Award winners may not be nominated in the same category for three years following their win, but can be nominated and win in other categories.
- Current Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Elected Officials may not be nominated.
- Are within the City of Kamloops and 60km of the boundaries of the City of Kamloops, and are not currently serviced by another Chamber which has an awards program.
Note - nominees do not need to be a member of the Chamber to be nominated.
Business Person of the Year
Description
Presented by Abbott Wealth Management - Harbourfront Wealth Management
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business person must:
- Be the founder, owner, CEO, President or Senior Executive of a company(ies)
- Demonstrate positive economic and/or social impact on the region
- Exemplify civic community leadership through company and/or volunteer efforts
- A personal reputation of outstanding commitment to the betterment of the community and enhancing the lives of those around them.
- Nominees may provide an optional - Supply a letter from 1 mentor OR employee supporting the nomination
Community Service Award
Description
Presented by The City of Kamloops
Requirements
This Kamloops-based business has:
- Chosen to participate, support and engage in initiatives that enhance the quality of life and wellbeing in the community and supports these activities with time, investment and/or other resources.
- Developed a corporate culture of community/giving and supports community building efforts unrelated to their core mandate.
- A reputation of outstanding commitment to the betterment of the community and enhancing the lives of those around them.
- Nominees may provide an optional - Provide 1 letter of support for the nomination from a not for profit, service agency, sports association, etc. That has benefit from the company’s support.
Emerging Business of the Year
Description
Presented by Community Futures Development Corporation of Thompson Country
Requirements
This Kamloops-area non franchised business or start up has:
- Been in operation between 1 and 3 years
- Demonstrated proactive and innovation leadership within their business or industry
- Demonstrated measurable success, growth, or promise as a business and/or as an employer
- Practiced good corporate citizenship and made exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment as an employer.
- Developed expanding positive reputation and has good growth potential
- Demonstrates stable operations
- Demonstrates community involvement and activity (engagement)
- Demonstrates willingness to engage with the business community
Employer of the Year
Description
Presented by Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business must demonstrate:
- Exceptional commitment to employees through competitive employment packages
- Dedication to provide professional development and/or advancement opportunities
- Pride in intentional workplace culture and focus on work/life balance, in addition to employee recognition and rewards programs
- Minimum of 5 Full Time Employees
Environmental Leadership Award
Description
Presented by Rocky Mountaineer Railtours
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business or not for profit organization demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental leadership in three or more of the following categories.
The following categories for consideration would include:
- Waste prevention
- Recycling, re-purposing, re-using, circular economy
- Purchasing and procurement policies
- Energy and water conservation
- Transportation
- Operations
- Stakeholder engagement and participation in development of environmental policies
- Other as explained by the nominee
Relevant contributions outlined in the nomination shall be ongoing and have occurred within the 12 months prior to the date of the nomination.
Excellence in Trades Award
Description
Presented by New Gold
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business is involved in the trades and has demonstrated success through:
- Provides trades-industry services including:
- Automotive
- Electrical-Construction,Industrial
- Instrumentation and Control
- Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
- Heavy Mechanical
- Piping Trades-Plumbing, Steamfitting, Pipefitting, Sprinklerfitting
- Power Engineering
- Welding
- Other as demonstrated by the nominee
- Exhibiting a history of excellence in the area of workplace safety
- A positive reputation of integrity and leadership within the industry
- Provides a quality, certified service and actively seeks ways to enhance offerings
- Excellent client and/or employee relationships
Inclusive Leadership Award
Description
Presented by Open Door Group
Requirements
This Kamloops-area employer can:
- Explain the intentions of their overall inclusivity and diversity efforts and their impacts. (This can be illustrated as broad statistics or as a specific single success story.)
- Showcase how they are changing the culture of the workplace and community.
- Demonstrate examples of how they make positive change.
- Explain what Inclusive Leadership means to them.
- Employers of all sizes are encouraged to apply, whether private, public or
not for profit sector.
Indigenous Business Excellence Award
Description
Presented by Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Business and Economic Development
Requirements
This Kamloops or Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc -area business must be at least 51% Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) owned and operated.
- Provide a description of the business’ mission, vision, goals, ownership structure, number of employees, number of years in operation; include background information about the nominee &/or business and if the business has an Indigenous employment strategy
- Include a description of past and present successes
- A description of challenges your business has faced; include your story of resilience and recovery. How have Indigenous values been helpful to the current situation? How has it impacted your business plan and financial outlook?
- A description of benefits provided to the community, employees, environment, etc.
- Showcase the benefits provided to the community, employees, environment etc.
- Explain the Indigenous partner's role in the Indigenous-Industry partnership, if applicable
- Nominees may provide an optional - Supply a letter 1 letter of reference or supporting documents
Innovation Award
Description
Presented by BCLC
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business or not-for-profit must:
- Have a proven record of thriving by adopting, developing and/or creating tools or technology within key areas of organizational operations including:
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Information Technology, communications
- Marketing, communications
- Service experience
- Human resources and people management
- Professional services
- Creative services
- Instills a culture of innovation and continual learning within the organization.
Not-For-Profit of the Year
Description
Presented by Surerus Murphy Joint Venture
Requirements
This Kamloops-area not-for-profit organization must:
- Be incorporated as a society or charitable organization
- Explain mission and purpose and how the work positively contributes/builds community
- Show organizational excellence with clear policies
- Proven record of organizational growth and financial sustainability
- Explain unique value proposition and describe the impacts of the organizations work
Retailer Award of the Year
Description
Presented by Andre's Electronic Experts - Retail
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business that is primarily involved in selling retail goods must:
- Demonstrate providing superior customer service and creativity in reaching target markets
- Demonstrate a strong customer service training program
- Have a reputation of excellent product knowledge
- Demonstrate a commitment to providing quality products
Service Provider Award: 1-10 Staff
Description
Presented by Cutting Edge Consulting
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business with 1-10 staff must:
- Demonstrate a proven track record of providing superior service to assist clients in achieving their own objectives
- Have a comprehensive, ongoing employee training program
- Offer a unique value proposition and major strengths amongst competition
- Explain overall commitment to its customers
- Has consistently innovated and can demonstrate how they stay ahead of the curve
Service Provider Award: 11+ Staff
Description
Presented by Kamloops This Week
Requirements
This Kamloops-area business with 11+ staff must:
- Demonstrate a proven track record of providing superior service to assist clients in achieving their own objectives
- Have a comprehensive, ongoing employee training program
- Offer a unique value proposition and major strengths amongst competition
- Explain overall commitment to its customers
- Has consistently innovated and can demonstrate how they stay ahead of the curve
Small Business of the Year
Description
Presented by Venture Kamloops
Requirements
This Kamloops-area, non franchised business, with 1 – 10 full time employees, has demonstrated success through:
- Commitment to providing quality products and or services with a wealth of knowledge for customer/client benefit
- Proven ability to demonstrate innovation and creativity, within business operations and/or organizational problem solving
- Ability to develop excellent relationships with employees, vendors, suppliers and customers
- Stable business operations or solid business plan ideas for growth strategy
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Description
Presented by Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics
Requirements
Nominee must:
- Be the founder or owner of a company and be 35 years of age or younger at the time of nomination submission.
- Demonstrate a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, creativity, and purpose.
- Has clear vision, and proven ability of achieving professional and personal goals.
- Demonstrate measurable success and growth as a business and as an employer.
- By developing a positive reputation within the business community through excellent product or service offerings.
- Nominees may provide an optional - Supply a letter from 1 mentor OR employee supporting the nomination.