Kelowna's 2014 Business Excellence Finalists Have Been Announced

Twenty-five businesses in Kelowna are to be honoured on October 21 at the 27th Annual Business Excellence Awards.

The ceremony will be at the Coast Capri Hotel. Winners of the nine categories will be announced, as well as the Business Leader of the Year. This awards program celebrates achievement in Kelowna's business community and judges based on employee relations, business growth and development, customer service, and community service.

The finalists include:

RISING STAR AWARD

• Mission Creek Orthodontics

• Wink I Wear Inc.

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

• KGH Foundation

• The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Guiseppe Simpatico, GoodSir Creative Inc.

• Dr. Derek Pollard, Mission creek Orthodontics

• David Veldhoen, Shorestone Homes Ltd.

ECO-STAR INNOVATION AWARD

• GreenStep Solutions Inc.

• Okanagan Car Share Co-op

DISTINCTION IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARD

• Okanagan Wine Country Tours

• Wells Gray Tours Ltd.

• WildPlay Element Parks

MARKETER OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Get in the Loop

• Juice FM, Vista Radio

• Twin Creek Media Inc.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1-10 employees)

• Cellar-Tek Supplies Ltd.

• Interior Portable Rentals

• Lyman Lures Manufacturing Ltd.

MID-SIZE BUSINESS AWARD (11-30 employees)

• AAA Internet Publishing Inc. (DBA WTFast).

• Border Plumbing, Heating and Air

• Building Blocks Educational Daycare.

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (31+ employees)

• Boyd Autobody & Glass

• Northside Industries

• SW Audio + Visual

• Waterplay Solutions Corp.

“As we celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Business Excellence Awards and recognize this talented group of entrepreneurs, we are impressed with the depth and breadth of Kelowna’s dynamic business community,” says Caroline Grover, CEO for the Kelowna Chamber. “We are equally inspired by the innovation and tenacity demonstrated by the finalists and their companies.”