UPDATE: Nominees added.
The South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce's 23rd Annual Business Excellence Awards gala dinner ceremony at 100 Mile Community Hall on March 4 was a great success.
The hall was packed with community members excited to see which of the businesses and organizations nominated for awards would take home the best of the best for 2016.
Whether folks were decked out in suits with bowties or fancy dresses or a bit more subdued and subtle in their styles, Chamber president/Master of Ceremonies Leon Chretien noted to the crowd the annual gala is "the closest folks here get to black tie" at a local event.
Everyone enjoyed a delicious roast beef buffet as well as a silent auction, a comedy act and the social swing of the cocktail hour that all kept the crowd entertained in between the speeches by local dignitaries and award presentations.
District of 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall, Cariboo Regional District Chair Al Richmond, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett and Chretien also gave speeches on the value of these businesses in the excellence they exhibit to their community.
The Iron Horse Pub & Grill did a great job of catering and the usual enthusiasm and positive energy was rebounding across the hall as attendees warmed up to vote for their favourite amongst the top four nominees in each category.
Then thunderous applause broke out when Citizen of the Year Bruce Madu was announced as selected by a panel of his peers made up of past winners and chaired by Barnett.
Bruce Madu has volunteered for his community for decades, much of it in executive roles, including his years at the (Lodge) Community Garden, Canadian Red Cross, 100 Mile & District Performing Arts, 100 Mile Festival of the Arts, Eclectica Community Choir, Royal Canadian Legion and 100 Mile Wranglers.
He has also volunteered for Ten Thousand Villages, 100 Mile & District Arts Council, fundraising for student scholarships and other organizations.
The Business Excellence Awards winners for their contributions to the business community, to 100 Mile House and to the surrounding communities are:
• The Community Impact Award, sponsored by Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre, was won by Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza.
• Greatest Improvement 2016, sponsored by Sunrise Ford Sales Ltd., was awarded to Prospector's Roadhouse.
• Tourism/Recreation Award, sponsored by Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, was presented to 100 Mile Nordics-99 Mile Ski Trails.
• Best Marketing & Promotion Award, sponsored by the 100 Mile House Free Press, was awarded to CaribooRadio.com.
• Professional Services Award, sponsored by 108 Mile Supermarket, was won by 100 Mile Vision Care Centre.
• Best Home Based Award, sponsored by Bank of Montreal, was presented to Rainer's Health House.
• Best New Business 2016 Award, sponsored by Williams Lake & District Credit Union, went to Iron Horse Pub & Grill.
• Non-Profit Organization Award, sponsored by Cariboo Radio.com, was awarded to Cedar Crest Society.
• Community Based Business Award, sponsored by PMT Chartered Professional Accountants, was given to 108 Mile Supermarket.
• Resource Based Award, sponsored by Norbord, was presented to Spring Lake Ranch.
• Customer Service Award, sponsored by Country 840, was won by Our Kitchen Corner.
• People's Choice Award, sponsored by Tim Hortons, was awarded to Iron Horse Pub & Grill.
Nominees were:
Community Impact Business Award
Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza, Safeway, Sunrise Ford and Williams Lake & District Credit Union
Greatest Improvement in 2016 Business Award
Remax 100 Mile, Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza, Prospector's Roadhouse and Dr. Specs Optical
Professional Services Business Award
Valley Dental, PMT Chartered Professional Accountants LLP, 100 Mile Vision Care Centre and Village Hair Studio
Tourism/Recreation Business Award
100 Mile Nordings - 99 Mile SKi Trails, Flying U Guest Ranch, CanLan - South Cariboo Rec Centre and Chris Harris Studio Gallery
Best Marketing & Promotion Business Award
Rustic Elements, Central GM, CaribooRadio.com and Timber Mart
Best Home-Based Business Award
Two With Nature Foods, Rainer's Health House, Vitality Pure and Weston Roofing
Best New Business Award
Three R's Construction, Valley Dental, Iron Horse Pub & Grill and Pet Valu Pet Store
Non-Profit Organization Business Award
Big Brothers, Big Sisters 100 Mile House, Cedar Crest Society, P.A.R.T.Y. Program and 100 Mile House Wranglers
Community Based Business Award
Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza, 108 Mile Supermarket, CaribooRadio.com and Horton Ventures Inc.
Resource Based Business Award
Spring Lake Ranch, Circle H Ranch, J. Hinsche Contracting and Rod Dillman Contracting
Customer Service Business Award
Three R's Construction, Dr. Spec's Optical, Our Kitchen Corner and Whimsey Gifts
People's Choice Award Best Business
Mt Timothy Ski Society, Rustic Elements, Iron Horse Pub & Grill and Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza
Citizen of the Year Awards
Christian Samson, Bruce Madu, Bev Fry, Ulli Vogler, Lea Smirfitt, Shawn Nelson, Debbie Dengel and Daniel McCollom