The Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Awards (BEAs) stand as a hallmark event in our community, celebrating the remarkable achievements of local businesses and individuals who contribute to the vibrant economic landscape of Squamish. This prestigious event not only recognizes excellence across various sectors but also fosters a spirit of camaraderie and inspiration among business owners and community members. With 12 distinct award categories, including the Business Leader of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Bill Manson Citizen of the Year, the BEAs highlight the diverse talents and innovations that drive our local economy. Each category reflects the commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community engagement that defines Squamish, making the awards a vital platform for showcasing the hard work and dedication of our business community. As we gather to honor these achievements, we reinforce the importance of supporting one another and striving for collective growth, ensuring a prosperous future for all.
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As the Executive Director of Community Futures Howe Sound, Kieran is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small businesses turn their visions into reality. With an enthusiasm for connecting people and resources, he aims to support the local business landscape, offering expertise in everything from startup planning to navigating the ins and outs of financing.
With a diverse background in small business, teaching and economic development and a love for seeing businesses thrive, Kieran brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to the Squamish community. The role has always been about fostering innovation and creating opportunities for collaboration.
As a judge for the Squamish Business Excellence Awards, Kieran is thrilled to help recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of local businesses that make the community such a dynamic place to live and work. When not working with businesses, you’ll find him engaging with the outdoor community and always cheering on Squamish’s next big success.
Ashley Oakes is the Executive Director of PearlSpace Support Services Society, a role she has held since December 2018. In her tenure with PearlSpace to date, Ashley has led the society in the development and realization of an ambitious strategic plan that included renovating the society’s Squamish headquarters, increasing survivors’ access to emergency and supportive housing, rebranding the society to become more inclusive of diverse populations who experience gender-based violence and growing programs and services to meet the evolving needs of the Sea to Sky Corridor. Through collaborative leadership, community engagement; and advocacy efforts, PearlSpace has grown substantially under Ashley’s leadership.
In addition to her role with PearlSpace, Ashley has served as a board member for several non-profits and is currently on the Board of Directors of Squamish Community Housing Society and the Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplasia Association of Canada.
Agustina specializes in working with professionals, business owners, and families by helping them address their business and individual insurance planning needs. She has dedicated herself to client service and prides herself on providing the highest level of advice and service to her clients. Agustina is known for her outgoing and friendly personality, and loves to socialize. She loves to attend social and networking events where she is always the first one to say “hi”!
As the exclusive Chambers Plan advisor in the Sea to Sky Region, Agustina focuses on providing group employee benefit plans and individual insurance planning for her clients.
Agustina is a proud Squamish local and can be found in her spare time hiking the trails, kayaking at the lakes, and enjoying the amazing restaurants and shops the Sea to Sky has to offer.
In 2015 Kirby moved to Squamish to proudly join Sea to Sky Gondola as the General Manager. Since 2016 he has served as the Chair of Tourism Squamish. He also sits on the board of the Squamish Sustainability Corporation, is the Treasurer of the Granting Committee of Community Futures Howe Sound and was recently named President of the newly formed Squamish Housing Society. Having been blessed to live and work within the unceded ancestral territory of the Squamish Nation, Kirby is honoured to be able to contribute to the work of the Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Housing Society (Hiyam Ha) as an inaugural non-indigenous board member. Outside of work Kirby spends time on his passion project, Playground Builders which has built 260 playgrounds in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories since 2007. Additionally, he is on the Canadian national organizing committee for the 2023 Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference.
Mike was born into the world of construction and renovation, working with his father in the family business as soon as he was able to. To continue his education, Mike attended the three-year Construction Engineering and Architecture program at Niagara College of Arts and Technology in Welland, Ontario. He went on to work as a timber framer, a draftsman for a timber framing company and then spent time wearing both designer and general contractor hats while running his own business. In 2016, Mike completed his Passive House Designer/Consultant Certification, one of the most stringent building certifications to date for overall energy efficiency in order to bring what Mike sees as the future of residential building to his clients projects. When Mike is not at the drafting table or running the show, he is most often found outdoors, skiing, biking, camping, fishing, canoeing and enjoying all that living in the Sea to Sky Corridor has to offer.
Recognizes a business that provides an accessible platform for a diverse range of arts and entertainment within the community. This business is a leader and role model to other businesses of its kind and is paving the way for inclusivity, equity, & diversity in the arts. It demonstrates strong engagement and collaboration with artists and community members and has made positive contributions to the artistic and business community through engaged efforts. It has demonstrated excellence in creativity and customer experience.
The Bill Manson Award recognizes a local citizen who has contributed significant volunteer time to enrich the quality of life in Squamish. This individual, outside of their regular employment, continuously engages in time spent leading or contributing to projects that make our community healthy and sustainable for every citizen. This individual is well-respected in the community and they inspire others to make positive contributions to Squamish.
Recognizes a business for ingenuity and innovation in product design, marketing, science, technology, productivity, commercialization, business planning, employee training and other business activities. This business has a proven record of thriving by adopting/developing/creating tools or technology within key areas of organizational operations.
The Business Leader of the Year Award recognizes a local business person who has had a major impact on the landscape of the local business community. They are an exemplary leader, and exhibit vision and passion. They continuously give back by supporting community initiatives and projects.
This category is being brought back from past years!
Recognizes a business, organization or non-profit association that has contributed to enriching our community through financial, volunteer or project-based contributions. They have made a marked impact on the lives of Squamish citizens and have made positive enhancements to community infrastructure, services and/or amenities.
In 2023 this award was split into For-Profit and Non-Profit categories, but we have amalgamated them back into one for 2024 to reflect past years.
Recognizes a business with an outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability that is linked to its public identity. This business has tangibly reduced environmental impact, waste outputs, and energy use through improved efficiencies, programs, projects, processes, systems, technologies, employee engagement, or other business operations. It demonstrates community leadership through its sustainability initiatives and has a positive influence on the impact awareness of the business community.
Recognizes an individual who has risen to recent challenges by exhibiting strong business acumen and instilling exemplary practices in their business. This could be a business person who has demonstrated a high level of entrepreneurial spirit and goes above and beyond in their business and the community.
Recognizes a business that shows leadership and support for Indigenous culture and is an active contributor to the Squamish business community. Must be 51% owned by Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, or Inuit group or individual.
Recognizes a business that demonstrates continual business growth and leadership that operates with integrity and passion while being committed to exceptional service delivery and the wellbeing of their employees. (10+ employees)
Recognizes a newly founded (3 years or less from date of incorporation), independent business that demonstrates exemplary business practices and shows exceptional promise for continued growth. This new business serves as an inspiration for other new businesses in the community.
Recognizes a business that demonstrates continual business growth and leadership that operates with integrity and passion while being committed to exceptional service delivery and the wellbeing of their employees. (1-9 employees)
Recognizes a business that excels in demonstrating a commitment to the health, wellbeing and the personal and professional growth of their people through providing an exemplary work environment, corporate culture, and support.
This award is being brought back from past years!
All nominations must meet the following criteria:
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Arts & Entertainment Award - presented by Mountain FM
Bill Manson Citizen Award - presented by Sea to Sky Gondola
Jose Oreamuno
Business Innovation Award - presented by Race & Company LLP
Community Builder (For-Profit) Award - presented by Bosa Developments
Community Builder (Non-Profit) Award - presented by RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate
Environmental Impact Award - presented by GFL Environmental
Indigenous Business Award - presented by Britannia Mine Museum
Medium-Large Business Award - presented by Tourism Squamish
New Business Award - presented by The Squamish Chief
Small Business Award - presented by Blue Shore Financial
Young Entrepreneur Award - presented by Cold Water Communications
RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate
Fortis BC
Woodfibre LNG
Squamish Motorsports
LandSea Camps
Euphoria Natural Health
Futurepreneur
Squamish Terminals
WealthSense Financial
Mountain FM
Squamish Chief
Century Signs
Race & Company LLP
GFL Environmental
Bosa Developments
Sea to Sky Gondola
Britannia Mine Museum
Tourism Squamish
Blue Shore Financial
Cold Water Communications
Martin Perkins
Bermudez Catering
Taylor James
Billie's Flower House
Large Business Award - presented by Nesters Market
Small Business Award - presented by BlueShore Financial
New Business of the Year - presented by Community Futures Howe Sound
Workplace of the Year - presented by Mountain FM
Green Business of the Year - presented by GFL Environmental
Community Builder of the Year - presented by RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate
Business Innovation - presented by Race & Company LLP
Young Entrepreneur of the Year - presented by Futurpreneur
Nadine Manson
Business Person of the Year - presented by the Squamish Chief
David Arnott
Bill Manson Citizen of the Year - presented by Sea to Sky Gondola
Carl Halvorson
RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate
Race & Company LLP
BlueShore Financial
Fortis BC
Telus
Nesters Market Squamish
RBC
LandSea
Euphoria Natural Health
Tourism Squamish
The Squamish Chief
Mountain FM
Innovation and Resilience - presented by Race & Company
Green Business of the Year - presented by GFL Environmental
The Nook Refillery
Young Entrepreneur of the Year - presented by Woodfibre
Mike Van Capelle, Blue Water Concepts
Service Excellence - Large Business - presented by Blue Shore Financial
Service Excellence - Small Business - presented by Nesters Market Squamish