They are commercial builders, mobile storage providers, aviation electronics makers, clean cosmetic sellers, car dealers, clothing designers and pride advocates.
They are the finalists who have multiple nominations for the 33rd annual Kelowna Business Excellence Awards.
In a virtual event Wednesday, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce announced 32 finalists in 14 categories.
TKI Construction and Secure-Rite Mobile Storage led the way with three finalists spots each.
Two-time finalists include Okanagan Lifestyle Apparel, Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, Portia-Ella clean cosmetics, Kelowna Hyundai and Kelowna Pride Society.
Because of COVID, the Nov. 26 ceremony to announce winners and hand out trophies will also be virtual.
"Even though the usual gala excitement will be on a different plane, the excellence of the companies and individuals remain outstanding," says Kelowna Chamber of Commerce president Jeffrey Robinson.
"Business excellence in 2020 requires excellence in all areas of operation, and we have seen this drive some remarkable stories of resiliency this year."
Some of TKI construction projects include the Cheeba Cheeba Cannabis stores in Kelowna and West Kelowna, the Child Advocacy Centre, Blenz Coffee in the Okanagan Centre for Innovation and the Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Vernon.
Secure-Rite was founded in Kelowna and now has multiple locations in BC and Alberta selling and renting shipping containers for portable storage.
The finalists are:
Large business of the year (51-plus employees)
- Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing
- Current Taxi
- Highstreet Ventures
Mid-size business of the year (16-50 employees)
- Kelowna Hyundai
- Secure-Rite Mobile Storage
- TKI Construction
Small business of the year (one to 15 employees)
- Portia-Ella
- Twirling Umbrellas
- DEW IT Solutions
Rising Star ( less than three years in business)
- TasteAdvisor
- You Are Collective
- Shambhu’s Spice House Cuisine of India
Business leader of the year
- the winner was chosen by the independent judging committee and will be announced at the beginning of November
Young entrepreneur of the year
- Jaclyn Robertson, Okanagan Lifestyle Apparel
- Julie Michaud, Portia-Ella
- Brandon Panopoulos, TKI Construction
Excellence in Tourism Award
- Paynter’s Fruit Market
- Big White Ski Resort
- Myra Canyon Ranch
Technology innovator of the year
- Hybrid Elevators
- The Valens Company
- Perfit Dental Solutions
Marketing campaign of the year
- Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing
- Okanagan Lifestyle Apparel
- Okanagan Bucketlist
Ethics in Business Award
- Inspire Property Management
- Secure-Rite Mobile Storage
- TKI Construction
Inclusive Workplace Award
- Hampton Pools & Landscape
- Mario’s Towing
- Kelowna Pride Society
Social Leadership Award (for profit-making business)
- Kelowna Hyundai
- BalAnce Well-Being Centre
- Secure-Rite Mobile Storage
Not-for-Profit Excellence Award
- The Bridge Youth & Family Services Society
- Childhood Connections
- BC SPCA
Arts & Entertainment Achievement Award
- Kelowna Pride Society
- Studio9 Independent School of Arts Society
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