Business Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the 2024 Business Excellence Awards Winners 

Marketing and Communications Award

Sponsored by: Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association


Winner: oGo Float


oGo Float has demonstrated ingenuity and creativity, generating engaging content that highlights their passion for float therapy. Their playful marketing strategies have extended their reach far beyond their local base, sharing the transformative benefits of floating with the wider community. 


Finalists: Concepta Socials, SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society.

Hospitality Excellence Award

Sponsored by: Travel Penticton


Winner: Detonate Brewing


Detonate Brewing’s rapid growth is a testament to the strong support from their community, which they reciprocate through fundraising events, local sponsorships, and donations. Their spirit of giving back continues to leave a positive mark on Penticton.


Finalists: Neighbourhood Brewing, Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery.

Not-for-Profit Excellence

Sponsored by: Omland Heal Chartered Professional Accountants


Winner: The Discovery House


Discovery House plays a crucial role in the community by providing compassionate, evidence-based care to men seeking recovery from addiction. Their holistic approach fosters healing and connection, creating a safe space where lives are transformed.


Finalists: Dragonfly Pond Society, South Okanagan Women in Need Society.

Service Excellence Award

Sponsored by: Doane Grant Thornton LLP


Winner: Belich's AG Foods


Belich’s AG Foods is known for offering fresh, local products and exceptional customer service. Their inviting atmosphere and commitment to helping customers find exactly what they need make them a community favorite. 


Finalists: Super Spotless Building Maintenance Inc., The Wienery.

Community Builder Award

Sponsored by: Penticton Western News


Winner: Graphically Hip


Graphically Hip has earned recognition for their creative marketing solutions and deep commitment to the community. Their focus on supporting youth, food security, and kindness initiatives reflects their dedication to making Penticton a better place.


Finalists: Barley Mill Brew Pub, Omland Heal LLP.

Workplace Culture Excellence

Sponsored by: South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services


Winner: Tickleberry's


Tickleberry’s is more than just an iconic Okanagan destination; it’s a model of an inclusive and fun workplace. With perks like unlimited time off, free ice cream, and a welcoming atmosphere for all employees, Tickleberry’s sets the standard for an ideal first job experience.


Finalists: Penticton Dental Arts, The Concorde Retirement Residence - Verve Senior Living.

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union


Winner: Stillfood Bistro and Cappuccino


Stillfood Bistro has quickly gained popularity for its sustainable ingredients, innovative menu, and warm, inclusive atmosphere. Their commitment to community engagement and exceptional service has made them standout in Penticton’s business landscape.


Finalists: Amuzing Fun Rentals, Freebird Hair Co.

Young Professional of the Year

Sponsored by: JCI Penticton and Brown Benefits


Winner: Katie O'Kell of Serendipity Winery


Katie O’Kell’s leadership at Serendipity Winery and her dedication to the community make her a rising star in the South Okanagan. Her involvement on several local boards and her work growing organic food to address food insecurity reflect her passion for both business and community service.


Finalists: Amanda Locke of Wordplay Therapy, and Lindsey Richardson of Interior Law.

Business Leader of the Year

Sponsored by: TD Canada Trust


Winner: Kevin Smith of Kettle Valley Memorial Services


Kevin Smith’s unwavering commitment to supporting local charities and organizations has made him a standout leader in Penticton. Through his generosity and collaborative spirit, he continues to inspire community involvement and strengthen ties among residents and businesses alike.


Cassandra Ford of Grizzly Springs Water, and Colin Powell of IGA Penticton.

Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen


Winner: Okanagan Hockey Group


With over six decades of excellence, the Okanagan Hockey Group has become a cornerstone of Penticton’s economy through its year-round training programs and major events. Their dedication to athlete development and community impact makes them a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.


Finalists: Kettle Valley Memorial, Valley First - a division of First West Credit Union.

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David Kampe Legacy Award

Presented by: Todd and Anona Kampe


Presented to: The Family of Jerome Abraham


The David Kampe Legacy Award was created to posthumously honour leaders in our community who  made it their purpose to better our community.


Jerome’s journey, first as a client of the Discovery House to becoming the Executive Director, saw him work tirelessly to help those struggling with addiction, and as a result, inspired others to do the same.

Congratulations to the 2023 Business Excellence Awards Winners 

Service Excellence Award

Sponsored by: Kettle Valley Memorial


Winner: The Concorde Retirement Community


The Service Excellence Award recognizes businesses that consistently provide outstanding customer service experience. This award honours businesses that demonstrate an exceptional dedication to service excellence through their commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, fostering customer loyalty, and engaging with the community. 

Marketing and Communications Award

Sponsored by: Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association


Winner: Graphically Hip


The Marketing & Communications Award recognizes businesses or organizations that demonstrate innovation in their marketing and promotional efforts, effectively reaching their target audience. This award acknowledges those who excel in creating relevant, engaging, and appropriate content while showcasing excellence and originality in both traditional and new-media marketing strategies. 

Hospitality Excellence Award

Sponsored by: Travel Penticton


Winner: Barley Mill Brew Pub


The Hospitality Excellence Award recognizes businesses in the South Okanagan Region that actively contribute to the development of the local hospitality and tourism industry while enhancing the overall visitor experience. These businesses play a vital role in making the region a preferred destination and contribute to its growth and prosperity.

Not-for-Profit Excellence

Sponsored by: Omland Heal Chartered Professional Accountants


Winner: Community Foundation of the South Okanagan


The Not-for-Profit Excellence Award recognizes non-charitable or not-for-profit organizations that demonstrate excellence in projects, services, and/or events that positively impact the community. These organizations align their efforts with their mission and contribute to the social and cultural well-being of their community.

Community Support Excellence

Sponsored by: Penticton Western News


Winner: IGA Penticton


The Community Support Excellence Award recognizes socially responsible businesses and their employees that actively contribute to the community by supporting sports, recreation, events, arts, charitable organizations, and non-profit initiatives. These businesses go above and beyond in returning value to the community through their personal time and/or resources.

Workplace Culture Excellence

Sponsored by: South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services


Winner: OneSky Community Resources


The Workplace Culture Excellence Award recognizes businesses and organizations that excel in creating an exceptional workplace culture. These exemplary entities go beyond the norm to establish an inclusive and welcoming environment, effectively breaking down barriers for all individuals involved. By prioritizing health and safety, team development, and overall well-being, these organizations cultivate a loyal and thriving workforce.

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union


Winner: The HUB on Martin


The New Business Award celebrates the achievements of a recently established business that has been operating for less than three years as of September 1, 2023. This award recognizes outstanding business performance achieved within a short period and serves as an inspiration for other new businesses.

Young Professional of the Year

Sponsored by: JCI Penticton and Seven Elk Shipping Inc.


Winner: Dr. Shayna Laird of Penticton Chiropractic and Co.


The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a business professional who has achieved success not only in their business endeavors but also stands out for their creativity, community involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit. This award honours individuals aged 40 years or younger as of September 1, 2023, who have been actively engaged in business or management for more than two years.

Business Leader of the Year

Sponsored by: TD Canada Trust


Winner: Jane Long-Haggerty of Long-Haggerty Chartered Professional Accountant Inc.


The Business Leader of the Year Award recognizes a business professional who has achieved exceptional success in the ownership or management of a local business. This award honours individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, balanced workplace values, exemplary customer service, community engagement, and a pursuit of excellence.

Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen


Winner: Blaze King


The Business of the Year Award recognizes outstanding businesses that have been operating for a minimum of three years as of September 1, 2023. These businesses have consistently displayed exceptional performance in various areas, including leadership, innovation, management, marketing, and customer service. Not only do they provide high-quality products or services, but they also serve as inspiring corporate citizens in the community.

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David Kampe Legacy Award

Presented by: Vickie Kampe


Presented to: The Family of Harry McWatters


The David Kampe Legacy Award recognizes another person with a genuine love for humankind and who had a desire to serve the community of Penticton, using their resources to help those in need, whether that be in ways of volunteerism or donations, and dedicated their life to the betterment of society through both their business and personal dealings. 

2023 Business Excellence Awards Sponsors

David Kampe Legacy Award - 2023


Each year at the Business Excellence Awards, the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce presents the David Kampe Legacy Award to celebrate and honour the life of an individual who has passed away and was an exceptional role model, philanthropist, and leader. 


David Kampe was a remarkable man who started Peters Bros. Construction in 1981. Through the success of his company in which he was known to make business decisions not on the amount of profit he would make but on how his employees would be affected, he chose to support countless causes and events out of a love for this City and its residents. The Peters Bros. name can be seen as a major sponsor at Penticton's annual Peach Festival and with the Penticton Vees, as well as  numerous bursaries and scholarships. David also supported Penticton's Regional Hospital with  new equipment like a permanent MRI and a SPECT-CT, and contributed $7.9 million towards the hospital's expansion with the new tower being appropriately named the 'David E. Kampe Patient Care Tower'.


To date, the recipients of this award include the families of Harry McWatters (2023), Bruce Schoenne (2022), LeAnne Jakubeit (2021), Neil Jamieson (2020), and Bruce Johnson (2019).

Highlights from 2023's 360° Camera

Congratulations to the 2022 Business Excellence Awards Winners 

Service Excellence Award

Sponsored by: Kettle Valley Memorial


Winner: Elevation Woodworks Inc.


The Service Excellence Award recognizes businesses that consistently provide outstanding customer service experience. This award honours businesses that demonstrate an exceptional dedication to service excellence through their commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, fostering customer loyalty, and engaging with the community. 

Marketing and Communications Award

Sponsored by: Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association


Winner: Travel Penticton


The Marketing & Communications Award recognizes businesses or organizations that demonstrate innovation in their marketing and promotional efforts, effectively reaching their target audience. This award acknowledges those who excel in creating relevant, engaging, and appropriate content while showcasing excellence and originality in both traditional and new-media marketing strategies. 

Hospitality Excellence Award

Sponsored by: Travel Penticton


Winner: The Nest


The Hospitality Excellence Award recognizes businesses in the South Okanagan Region that actively contribute to the development of the local hospitality and tourism industry while enhancing the overall visitor experience. These businesses play a vital role in making the region a preferred destination and contribute to its growth and prosperity.

Not-for-Profit Excellence

Sponsored by: Omland Heal Chartered Professional Accountants


Winner: South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services (SOICS)


The Not-for-Profit Excellence Award recognizes non-charitable or not-for-profit organizations that demonstrate excellence in projects, services, and/or events that positively impact the community. These organizations align their efforts with their mission and contribute to the social and cultural well-being of their community.

Community Support Excellence

Sponsored by: Penticton Western News


Winner: Fountain Tire


The Community Support Excellence Award recognizes socially responsible businesses and their employees that actively contribute to the community by supporting sports, recreation, events, arts, charitable organizations, and non-profit initiatives. These businesses go above and beyond in returning value to the community through their personal time and/or resources.

Workplace Culture Excellence

Sponsored by: South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services


Winner: Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union


The Workplace Culture Excellence Award recognizes businesses and organizations that excel in creating an exceptional workplace culture. These exemplary entities go beyond the norm to establish an inclusive and welcoming environment, effectively breaking down barriers for all individuals involved. By prioritizing health and safety, team development, and overall well-being, these organizations cultivate a loyal and thriving workforce.

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union


Winner: Penticton Global Grocers


The New Business Award celebrates the achievements of a recently established business that has been operating for less than three years as of September 1, 2022. This award recognizes outstanding business performance achieved within a short period and serves as an inspiration for other new businesses.

Young Professional of the Year

Sponsored by: JCI Penticton


Winner: Jacob George of Coyote Cruises


The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes a business professional who has achieved success not only in their business endeavors but also stands out for their creativity, community involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit. This award honours individuals aged 40 years or younger as of September 1, 2023, who have been actively engaged in business or management for more than two years.

Business Leader of the Year

Sponsored by: TD Canada Trust


Winner: Cherry Fernandez of SOICS


The Business Leader of the Year Award recognizes a business professional who has achieved exceptional success in the ownership or management of a local business. This award honours individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, balanced workplace values, exemplary customer service, community engagement, and a pursuit of excellence.

Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Community Futures Okanagan Similkameen


Winner: Nor-Mar Industries Ltd. | Brutus Truck Bodies


The Business of the Year Award recognizes outstanding businesses that have been operating for a minimum of three years as of September 1, 2023. These businesses have consistently displayed exceptional performance in various areas, including leadership, innovation, management, marketing, and customer service. Not only do they provide high-quality products or services, but they also serve as inspiring corporate citizens in the community.

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David Kampe Legacy Award

Presented by: Todd and Anona Kampe


Presented to: The Family of Bruce Schoenne


The David Kampe Legacy Award recognizes another person with a genuine love for humankind and who had a desire to serve the community of Penticton, using their resources to help those in need, whether that be in ways of volunteerism or donations, and dedicated their life to the betterment of society through both their business and personal dealings. 

The Business Excellence Awards Mardi Gras Gala presented by Total Restoration Services was held on October 22nd, 2022, at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre. Click here to see a collection of photos from the Gala. This event was also streamed via Facebook Live.

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