2023 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Celebrating the absolute best in Cranbrook business

2023 EVENING OF EXCELLENCE

On Friday, October 27th, 2023 — Join us in celebrating the absolute best in Cranbrook business & non-profit!

What started as a single customer service award in 1991 has evolved and grown into a complete recognition of excellence in business throughout our community.

This year’s celebration will be held at Key City Theatre! Open to all who call Cranbrook & area home, we are inviting you to experience this prestigious event with us for 2023.

Nominations are now CLOSED, thank you to everyone who submitted nominees!

CATEGORIES OF EXCELLENCE

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Hospitality Excellence Award is presented to a company or organization which demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the areas of hospitality & tourism. This award recognizes true excellence by those who truly embrace going above and beyond. Providing extraordinary customer service and experiences the recipient makes visitors and locals alike feel like they are the number one priority during their visit.

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Non Profit Organization of the Year Award recognizes a non government organization, society or charity that is a not for profit dedicated to making a difference within the sphere of their stated goals and objectives. The recipient has an outstanding record of achievement and meets the highest ethical standards of the non-profit community. The recipient shows a high level of care and concern for the community.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Professional Services Excellence Award honours a company or professional that provides services to individuals, groups or businesses. The recipient demonstrates an adherence to the highest quality service and support for their customers. Adhering to the exemplary professional standards the recipient demonstrates excellence and is a recognized leader in their professional service industry sector.

RETAILER EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Retail Excellence Award recognizes a business that has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the retail sector. The award recognizes success, innovation, and ethics in business practices. The recipient is a retail leader with a consistent record of accomplishment, innovative business processes, an astute business acumen and overall success. The recipient shows evidence of success that is outstanding for the size of their operation.

INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Inclusive Employer of The Year Award goes 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.

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Business to Business Excellence Award recognizes excellence in the business to business service industry. Working with other businesses, and recognizing their needs, the recipient demonstrates a consistent adherence to the highest quality service and support for their clients. The recipient has demonstrably optimized business processes to drive higher levels of operational performance, customer satisfaction and loyalty.

CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Customer Service Excellence Award will be presented tonight to a Cranbrook company that embraces the concept that outstanding customer service is critical to the success of their business. The recipient’s business is dedicated to continually striving to exceed customer expectations. They have an ingrained culture through all levels of their organization built around the customer experience.

AGE FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Age Friendly Business Award is presented to a business with dedicated commitment and business practices that best serve older adults in Cranbrook. Criteria includes accessibility, customer comfort and communication.

**NEW IN 2023** EXCELLENCE IN ARTS AWARD

The Excellence in Arts Award recognizes an individual or organization displaying outstanding creativity and vision in the Cranbrook arts community. The recipient is in devoted practice within one or more of the following areas: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Literary Arts. The award acknowledges contributions and innovation in the arts that strengthen the cultural, social and economic fabric of the community.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD 1-15 employees

The Business of the Year, 1-15 employees Award will be presented to a business that has been established in Cranbrook for more than three years. This well-rounded recipient is regarded as an industry leader with a strong reputation for their business successes. The recipient demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and performance in key measures of business. The recipient’s business shows a substantiated business history exhibiting sustainable growth over numerous business cycles.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD 16+ employees

The Business of the Year, 16+ Employees Award will be presented to a Cranbrook business that has been established for more than three years. The well-rounded recipient is regarded as an industry leader with a strong reputation for their business success. The recipient demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and performance in key measures of business. The recipient business shows a substantiated business history exhibiting sustainable growth over numerous business cycles.

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

The New Business of the Year Award is given to a business established in the last 3 years that is considered a rising leader in their sector. The recipient has demonstrated outstanding sustainable business practices, is financially sustainable and potentially scalable. The business is being managed with a robust planning process and is able to materially differentiate itself from its competition.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes 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.

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Business Person of the Year Award goes to an individual displaying outstanding leadership and vision in the Cranbrook business community. The recipient’s business has been operating for at least five years and has succeeded through innovation, risk taking and a commitment to the community. The recipient serves as a positive role model and mentor for other business people and exemplifies community leadership and dedication.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Business Excellence Awards recognizes and celebrates the successes of Cranbrook’s best businesses, and their leadership, across all sectors, private, public and not for profit within Cranbrook’s economic zone.

The Business Excellence Awards shines a spotlight on organizations and validates their efforts to prosper in a strategic manner. Celebrating the diversity, creativity, ingenuity and success of the local business community the Business Excellence Awards are open to organizations of any size and individuals.

  • Nomination submissions are open online >2 months prior to the Business Excellence Awards Ceremony.
  • Nominations are garnered from peers, the public or by way of self-nomination.
  • After nominations are closed, each nominee is notified and congratulated by the Chamber.
  • Nominees accept nomination. We send them an interview-style questionnaire that they fill out. (If a business does not want to accept the nomination, their name is removed from consideration.)
  • We will then provide adjudicators copies of the completed questionnaires for designated categores along with a matrix to score each nominee to ensure unbiased rating.
  • Once we receive back all three adjudicator’s matrices, we will tally the score and advise who the recipient is.

Nominations are garnered from peers, the public or by way of self-nomination.

  • Cranbrook Businesses
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Not-for-Profits
  • Employers
  • Yourself

Award nominations are open to all of the above, regardless of Chamber membership status

*note: Multi-year nominees are only eligible to receive an award for the same category once every 3 years

No! The Business Excellence awards are open to all who call Cranbrook & area home. We invite all of Cranbrook businesses, non-profits, entrepreneurs, and leaders the chance to be recognized for their greatness.

Nominations are garnered from peers, the public or by way of self-nomination.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION »

2023 Evening of Excellence

On Saturday, November 4th, 2023 — Join us in celebrating the absolute best in Cranbrook business & non-profit!

This annual gala will be held in person at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort! Open to all who call Cranbrook & area home, we are inviting you to experience this prestigious event with us for 2023.

Nominations are opening this summer and ticket sales will open soon after.

1-15 Business of The Year

NOMINEES

Cranbrook Pest Control

Fitness Inc.

Life Balance Fitness

SL Roofing

Sweet Gestures

New Business of The Year

NOMINEES

Rangeland Equipment

Bubble Hut Cafe

Dash Eatery

Morchella Market

Northstar Bicycle Company

StellaR Fitness Apparel

The Blind Pig

Twisted Peaks

16+ Business of The Year

NOMINEES

Cranbrook Bucks

Denham Ford

The Heid Out Restaurant & Brewery

Save on Foods

Skookumchuk Pulp Mill

Staples

Business Person of The Year

NOMINEES

Shannon Fisher

Russ Sheppard

Chris Botterill

Chris Thom

Heidi Romich

Jim Szakacs

Non Profit Organization of The Year

NOMINEES

BGC Cranbrook

CMHA

Community Connections Society of SE BC

Cranbrook Farmer’s Market

Cranbrook Food Bank

Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society

Ktunaxa Kinbasket Family Services Society

Salvation Army

Street Angels

Young Entrepreneur of The Year

NOMINEES

Kelsey Taylor

Jason Sherrat

Marina Stropky + Maraih Tarasoff

Joe on the Go Contracting

Morgan Turner

Prince Tamber

Ryan Johnson + Jonathan Faubert

Jenn Postlethwaite

Age Friendly Business of The Year

NOMINEES

Pharmasave

Top Crop Garden Farm & Pet

Auntie Barb’s Bakery

Professional Service Excellence

NOMINEES

Apex Accounting

Arch Allure Microblading

Cranbrook Chiropractic

Cranbrook Vision Care

Hearing Loss Clinic

Southview Mortgages

Inclusive Employer of The Year

NOMINEES

Hot Shots Cafe

Kootenay Computer

Vantage Point CPA

Business to Business Excellence

NOMINEES

Vista Radio

Fab-Rite Services Ltd.

Next Gen Automation

Artistic Media Productions, AMP

Hospitality & Tourism Excellence

NOMINEES

ARQ Climbing Centre

Bay Leaf Indian Fusion

Cranbrook History Centre

Elizabeth Lake Lodge

Ella’s Cafe

Just Liquid Sports

Max’s Place

Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort

Wildstone Golf Course

Customer Service Excellence

NOMINEES

Flooring Superstore

Kootenay Canine Adventures

M&M Meats and Food Market

Pattison Media – Rewind Radio and B104

Westland Insurance

Retailer Excellence

NOMINEES

Canadian Tire

Cranbrook Photo and Studio

Home Hardware

Huckleberry Books

Jimmy’s Cannabis shop

The Paw Shop

Skinku¢ Treasures