The recipient of the 2020 Non Profit of the Year Award is…

ANKORS

“It is with great honor and pleasure that I am accepting on behalf of ANKORS East Kootenay team, the Cranbrook’s business Excellence Award for non-profit of The Year. Our Team brings to this community a commitment to serve the folks accessing our service with dignity, respect with no discrimination.   ANKORS East Kootenay has strived to provide fact based, low barrier education and resources on sexual health, substances, harm reduction including drug checking to East Kootenay youth and adults.  Ankors also provides support and referrals to those living with and impacted by HIV or Hepatitis C.  We are allies to those within the GBLTQ communities addressing bullying and stigma while offering support and encouragement.  Ankors has taken the lead in addressing the overdose crisis within Cranbrook and outlying areas to encourage folks impacted by this pandemic, to become safer by being educated on naloxone, and to access other harm reduction services. Our work with community folks who use drugs, who are seeking to use safer, who are interested in recovery and treatment options is at the forefront of our work.  Our community groups have strived to provide “person centered” experiences, that build resilience, offer connectivity and reduce isolation especially in these trying times.  We could not have been so successful in our service delivery if it were not for our collaborations with community partners who put focus on all folks residing here as important members of this community.   I want to put a special honor to ANKORS in Nelson and Our Executive Director Cheryl Dowden, who have paved the way for us to establish such a important program in Cranbrook, the staff at ANKORS are an amazing group of diverse, kind , informed staff who share one main goal, that is the passion and respect that we bring to the people that access our service and the community partners we work with.

Finally, I want to except this award on behalf of those people who have lost their lives as a result of the war on drugs and those who have died as a result of the overdose crisis that we are faced with and today.  Our hearts way heavy, but we will continue to fight against hate and discrimination and stigma that still exists today. 

Polly Sutherland

The recipient of the 2020 Business to Business Excellence Award is…

Kootenay Computer

Thank you to IG Wealth Management for sponsoring this award. Professional Services Excellence recognizes excellence in the business to business service industry. The recipient business demonstrates a consistent adherence to the highest quality service and support for their clients. They have demonstrably optimized business processes to drive higher levels of operational performance, customer satisfaction, and loyalty.

The recipient of the 2020 Inclusive Employer of the Year Award is…

Hot Shots Cafe

Thank you to REALM, Cranbrook Society for Community Living, and Kootenay Employment Services for sponsoring this award. Inclusive Employer of the year is awarded to a business that is a practicing inclusive employer. From policies and procedures to diversity initiatives this business demonstrates a commitment to identifying and employing diverse individuals and engaging them in an inclusive workplace. An employer that looks beyond traditional recruitment and retention strategies in order to support the development of their staff.

The recipient of the 2020 Customer Service Excellence Award is…

Cranbrook Pest Control

Thank you to New Dawn Developments Ltd. for sponsoring this award. Good customer service is critical to the success of any business. This award is presented to a business that is dedicated to continually striving to exceed customer expectations. They have an ingrained culture through all levels of the organization built around customer experience. Open to businesses of any size serving as an inspiration in the realm of customer service.

The recipient of the 2020 Business of the Year 1-15 Employees is…

The Paw Shop

“Receiving The 2020 Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce award for a Business of the Year with 1-15 employees means the world to us.

Being mentioned alongside the incredible list of nominees was a tremendous honor and we would like to congratulate all nominees across all categories.

We would like to take the time to thank every single one of our supporters, from our amazing customer base to the continuously supportive business community we have here in Cranbrook.

We are grateful every single day that we can open the doors to The Paw Shop and share our passion to assist pet parents in improving their pets’ overall health and well-being. Thank you for the recognition, it is most humbly appreciated.”

The recipient of the 2020 Young Entrepreneur of the Year is…

Sjaane Beattie – Kootenay Life Cycle

Thank you to College of the Rockies Alumni Network for sponsoring this award.Young Entrepreneur of the year is awarded to an outstanding entrepreneur age 40 and under that has distinguished themselves by building their own business or as part of the decision-making management team of an existing business. This award pays tribute to an outstanding young entrepreneur who has distinguished themselves not only by their success in business, but also by their creativity, innovative spirit, and community involvement.