They do everything from hurl you over a zipline, sell shoes, develop software and dispense financial advice to serve up delicious food and wine, make mattresses, fabricate metal and help single moms.
They are just some of the finalists for the 35th annual Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards.
Over the summer the chamber received 319 nominations in 16 categories.
That list has now been whittled down to three finalists in each category for a total of 48 finalists.
The finalists were announced and honoured at a reception earlier this week at the Coast Capri Hotel.
"The finalists announcement means our chamber has moved into high gear with managing judges' visits to nominated businesses, shooting videos of all the finalists and preparing for a gala evening where we pull out all the stops," said chamber president Pamela Pearson.
"I'm so proud of all our nominees and our finalists -- you truly make Kelowna shine."
The gala where winners will be announced and honoured will be Nov. 23 at the Delta Grand hotel.
Buy tickets to the gala at:
https://secure.kelownachamber.
Here's the list of finalists:
Business leader of the year
No finalists are announced in this category because an independent panel of judges determines the winner. The name of the recipient will be revealed shortly before the Nov. 23 awards ceremony to hype the event and the winner will be honoured at the banquet.
2021 winner: Marion Bremner of Meals on Wheels
Large business of the year
- BDO Canada LLP
- Northside Industries Inc.
- Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union
2021 winner: Ace Plumbing & Heating
Mid-size business of the year
- International Gateway Kelowna
- Modern PURAIR
- Raymond James
2021 winner: Tranq Sleep Care
Small business of the year
- Kelowna Concierge Ltd.
- Kelowna Software Ltd.
- Strut Footwear & Apparel
2021 winner: Modern PURAIR
Indigenous business of the year
- First Nations Finance Authority
- River Select Fisheries Cooperative – Authentic Indigenous Seafood
- Sncəwips Heritage Museum
2021 winner: Moccasin Trails
Rising star (for a company three years or younger)
- Do Gooders
- Fortune Creek
- Move RX Performance & Wellness
2021 winner: HUB Office Furniture
Young entrepreneur of the year
- Samuel Geleynse of VitaNova Landscape
- Dr. Harmony Mir, DC of Harmony Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic
- Billy Price of Untold Branding
2021 winner: Courtney Koga of CrAsian Foods
Excellence in tourism
- Beach Bum Tours
- Oyama Zipline Adventure Park
- RauDZ Creative Concepts
2021 winner: O'Rourke's Peak Cellars
Excellence in agriculture
- AgriForest Bio-Technologies
- Kalala Organic Estate Winery
- SpearHead Winery
2021 winner: FloraMaxx Technologies
Technology innovator of the year
- Dr. Phone Fix
- Innovative Aerospace Services
- Kelowna Software
2021 winner: Acres Enterprises
Inclusive workplace
- Salt & Brick
- Studio9 School of the Arts
- Tranq Sleep Care
2021 winner: TKI Construction
Environmental impact
- FILL – Kelowna’s Refill Store
- Meadow Vista Honey Wines
- Off the Grid Organic Winery
2021 winner: Ecora
Marketing campaign of the year (new category)
- Acres Enterprises
- Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) Foundation
- Kelowna Women’s Shelter
Ethics in Business
- Hergott Law
- Okanagan Restoration Services
- WITS Metal Fabrication
2021 winner: Secure-Rite Mobile Storage
Social leadership
- By Jove Co.
- Haven Sleep Products
- International Gateway Kelowna
2021 winner: CrAsian Foods
Not-for-profit excellence
- Childhood Connections
- Mamas for Mamas
- Ozanam Recovery House
2021 winner: Habitat for Humanity Okanagan
Arts and entertainment excellence
- Sncəwips Heritage Museum
- Uptown Rutland Business Association
- Yeti Farm Creative
2021 winner: Festivals Kelowna
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