Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Awards

  • Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Awards

Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Awards

Presented by RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate

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.

This year’s Squamish Business Excellence Awards are presented by RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate and will be held on Friday, December 6th at the beautiful Cheakamus Centre in Paradise Valley.

Event Schedule: 

  • 5:30 – 6:30 | Doors Open, Registration, Coat Check
  • 6:00 – 7:00 | Sparkling Reception
  • 7:00 – 9:15 | Dinner & Awards Ceremony
  • 9:15 – 11:30 | After Party with DJ Steintology

Meet the 2024 Squamish Chamber Business Excellence Award Finalists:

Arts & Entertainment

  • Act Alive Academy
  • Brackendale Art Gallery Theatre Teahouse
  • Gather Bookshop

 

Bill Manson Citizen Award

  • Antje Cavanagh
  • Glenne Campbell
  • Murray Soverign

Business Innovation

  • Carbon Engineering
  • Skin Focus Regenerative Medicine Inc.
  • TAG Panels Ltd.

 

Business Leader Award

  • Felipe Angel – Squamish Connector
  • Karen Berrisford – Squamish Helping Hands Society
  • Shannon Lorenz – Bespoke Market

Community Builder

  • PearlSpace Support Services Society
  • Squamish Community Foundation
  • Squamish Search and Rescue

Emerging Entrepeneur

  • Allen Edwards – Trickster’s Hideout
  • Cierra Rohde- Dance Directions
  • Emily Shimwell – Graze Wilder/Dine Wilder

Environmental Impact

  • Celerity Craft
  • Mother Made Canada
  • Porcupine Mechanical
  • Squamish Climate Action Network Society

 

Indigenous Business Award

  • Deanna Wampler – Social Media Strategist & Educator
  • FLEURESCENT Blooms + Rentals
  • Spirit School

 

Medium – Large Business

  • Carbon Engineering
  • Sea to Sky Gondola
  • Squamish Dance Centre
  • Sunflower Bakery & Noshy

 

New Business Award

  • Arrow Wood Games
  • Create Makerspace
  • Seed Studio

Small Business Award

Workplace Award

2024 Nominations & Voting

3 Round Process:

  1. NOMINATION ROUND: [September 15 – October 6] Anyone can nominate, and a business only needs to be nominated once to go through to the vetting round. The nominations do not count as votes.

     

  2. VETTING ROUND: [October 7 – October 31] All nominees will first be vetted by The Chamber and must meet the award criteria to be considered. They will then be considered by a qualified judging committee who will choose a shortlist of three finalists per category. The shortlist will be determined using both qualifying specifications as well as the information you provide, so please don’t skip on your reasons for making the nomination.

     

  3. VOTING ROUND: [November 1 – November 15] The public will vote on the shortlisted finalists in each category to determine the winner.

     

  • Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on December 6th 

Meet the Judging Committee

Kieran Hale

Community Futures Howe Sound

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

PearlSpace

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 Coccarro

WealthSense Financial Group

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.

Kirby Brown

Sea to Sky Gondola

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 Van Capelle

Blue Water Concepts

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.

Award Categories / Descriptions

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! 

Business Eligibility Requirements

All nominations must meet the following criteria: 

  • Businesses must have a valid business license (where required) 
  • Businesses must be Squamish Chamber members in good standing 
  • Individuals can be past, current, or future Squamish Chamber members 
  • Located or doing business in the Squamish and Howe Sound region  
  • Satisfy the award criteria  
  • Provide permission to use their profile/company profile/photo/logo before, during and after the event 

General Award Criteria

  • Business Awards are open to companies, organizations, enterprises, and not-for-profits within the Sea to Sky Corridor.

  • Individuals only will be accepted for Young Entrepreneur Award and Bill Manson Citizen Award.

  • Businesses or organizations must have been in operation for three (3) years with the exception of the New Business Award.

  • Businesses, organizations, and individuals are eligible for nomination in a maximum of two (2) categories.
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OUR 2024 SPONSORS

(email lj@squamishchamber.com to become a supporting sponsor of the BEAs!)

TITLE SPONSOR

DINNER SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

SPARKLING RECEPTION SPONSOR

AFTERPARTY SPONSOR

REGISTRATION SPONSOR

PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

SIGNAGE SPONSOR

DECOR SPONSOR

AWARD SPONSOR

THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

2023 Award Winners

Arts & Entertainment Award - presented by Mountain FM

Act Alive Academy

Bill Manson Citizen Award - presented by Sea to Sky Gondola

Jose Oreamuno

Business Innovation Award - presented by Race & Company LLP

Bueno Custom Furniture

Community Builder (For-Profit) Award - presented by Bosa Developments

Groms Physio + Co

Community Builder (Non-Profit) Award - presented by RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate

PearlSpace

Environmental Impact Award - presented by GFL Environmental

Blue Water Concepts

Indigenous Business Award - presented by Britannia Mine Museum

Sḵwálwen Botanicals

Medium-Large Business Award - presented by Tourism Squamish

Squamish Valley Golf Club

New Business Award - presented by The Squamish Chief

Outbound Station

Small Business Award - presented by Blue Shore Financial

The Little Bookshop

Young Entrepreneur Award - presented by Cold Water Communications

Rebecca Bolkowy - Local Roots Farm

2023 BEA Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor 

RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate

 

Gold Sponsor

Fortis BC

Woodfibre LNG

 

Registration Sponsor

Squamish Motorsports

 

Sparkling Reception Sponsor

LandSea Camps

 

After Party Sponsor

Euphoria Natural Health

 

Silver Sponsor

Futurepreneur

Squamish Terminals

 

Table Sponsor

WealthSense Financial

 

Media Sponsor

Mountain FM

Squamish Chief

 

Signage Sponsor

Century Signs

 

Award Sponsors

Race & Company LLP

GFL Environmental

Bosa Developments

Sea to Sky Gondola

Britannia Mine Museum

Tourism Squamish

Blue Shore Financial

Cold Water Communications

 

Photographer 

Martin Perkins

 

Caterer

Bermudez Catering

 

Entertainment 

Taylor James

 

Decor

Billie's Flower House

2022 Award Winners

Large Business Award - presented by Nesters Market​

The Squamish Connector

Small Business Award - presented by BlueShore Financial

Euphoria Natural Health

New Business of the Year - presented by Community Futures Howe Sound

The Little Bookshop

Workplace of the Year - presented by Mountain FM​

Stark Architecture

Green Business of the Year - presented by GFL Environmental​

Eco Living Club

Community Builder of the Year - presented by RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate​

Pride Squamish

Business Innovation - presented by Race & Company LLP​

Penny AI

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

2022 BEA Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate

 

Gold Sponsors

Race & Company LLP

BlueShore Financial

Fortis BC

Telus

Nesters Market Squamish

 

Registration Sponsor

RBC

 

Champagne Reception Sponsor

LandSea

 

Afterparty Sponsor

Euphoria Natural Health

 

Gift Sponsor

Tourism Squamish

 

Media Sponsor

The Squamish Chief

Mountain FM

2021 Award Winners

Innovation and Resilience - presented by Race & Company

99 North Cannabis Store

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

Pearl's Value & Vintage

Service Excellence - Small Business - presented by Nesters Market Squamish

Sḵwálwen Botanicals

Videos / Photos

Check out the 2023 BEA

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