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BRITISH COLUMBIA’S BEST SMALL BUSINESSES OF 2016-17 TO BE ANNOUNCED AT SMALL BUSINESS BC AWARDS CEREMONY

Small Business BC Awards Header 2017Monday, February 20, 2017 – Vancouver: The winners of the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards will be announced at the Pan Pacific Vancouver on Thursday, February 23, 2017 during an evening drinks, appetizers and networking with 500 BC business owners, industry influencers, government officials and special guests.

The Small Business BC Awards is the largest small business awards competition in the province. These awards recognize the outstanding achievements of British Columbia’s entrepreneurs and celebrate the contributions new and existing businesses registered in BC, with fewer than 50 employees, make to their local communities and the global economy.

Between October 1 and November 30, 2016, Small Business BC and the Insurance Bureau of Canada asked British Columbians to nominate their favourite small businesses for the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards. This year, 699 nominations were received from 72 communities across the province.

Those who activated their communities and received the most votes were named the Top 10 Semi-Finalists on December 12, 2016 and invited to submit a more detailed application. These applications were used to decide the Top 5 Finalists, who then pitched their business to a panel of judges to be named one of BC’s best.

Recipients of Small Business BC Awards are recognized with the Premier’s Prize in the amount of $1,500 cash, a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education, resources and experts, and one-on-one business mentorship with notable advisors from the award sponsors.

The public is invited to support these entrepreneurs at the upcoming Small Business BC Awards Ceremony. More details on the Small Business BC Awards and event tickets can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca.

Quotes

“Small businesses are the backbone of Canada’s leading economy, responsible for creating over a million jobs in B.C. That’s why we worked hard to become the most small business-friendly jurisdiction in North America. Congratulations all the Top 5 Finalists for being recognized as innovative, responsible pillars in their community.” – Premier Christy Clark

“Small businesses account for 98% of all businesses in B.C. – they drive the economy and create jobs for British Columbians. All the Top 5 Finalists for the Small Business BC Awards should be proud that their communities voted them into the top spots! Congratulations to all the Top 5 Finalists in the Small Business BC Awards.” – Hon. Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business, Red Tape Reduction and Liquor Distribution

“This year, we saw an incredible level of participation in the Small Business BC Awards. Their efforts to build a vibrant economy in B.C. deserve the respect of all British Columbians and the Small Business BC Awards are the best way to celebrate and acknowledge their success and contribution.” – George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC

“IBC is proud to support small businesses in British Columbia and across Canada. Insurers and consumers know that when small businesses succeed it promotes job creation and economic growth. That is why Canada’s insurance industry is committed to working with small business owners to make sure they have the protection and coverage they need to help them grow and prosper.” – Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, IBC

“At the BC Innovation Council we are lucky to work as an Innovation Exchange™ as we get to witness the broad reach that technology has on all industries in the province. Every day, we are able to witness the benefits our province’s innovators are able to provide to B.C. businesses. We see first-hand that tech is everywhere and we are proud to sponsor an award that recognizes this.” – Carl Anderson, President and CEO, BC Innovation Council

“We’re looking forward to meeting all the nominated employers for the Best Apprentice Training Award this year. Small businesses make up a large portion of B.C.’s economy and this community plays an important role in ensuring that skilled trades apprentices are getting the right hands-on experience on their apprenticeship journey. We’re excited to partner with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to recognize an employer that is doing their part to training B.C.’s trades industry.” – Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority

“I would like to congratulate the Top 5 Finalists for the Best Apprenticeship Training Award. Their support of KPU students and the real-world mentoring is vital to their success as apprentices. KPU recognizes the essential contribution of small business to the ecology of B.C. and Canada’s economy and are honoured to have the opportunity to celebrate this significant contribution from small businesses across the province.” – Salvador Ferreras, Ph.D., Provost and Vice-President Academic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

“We are thrilled to see such strong levels of participation and engagement in the Small Business BC Awards this year. As avid supporters of the small business community, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding businesses that have emerged as Top 5 Finalists for each of the award categories.” – Paul Struthers, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Sage Canada

“TruShield Insurance is proud to partner with an innovative organization like Small Business BC and help support the hard-working entrepreneurs of British Columbia. We’re amazed to see such impressive growth in the participation for the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards, and we look forward to honouring both the success of these finalists and their contributions to our communities. Congratulations to each of you!” – Mike Gaba, Manager, Business Development, TruShield Insurance

“UPS Canada is proud to collaborate with Small Business BC to offer the Best International Trade Award to
entrepreneurs in British Columbia. We would like to acknowledge those who were nominated, and congratulate those who are now Top 5 Finalists in the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards.” – Paul Gaspar, Director of Small Business, UPS Canada

“Small businesses are the drivers of the local economy, they innovate to create new products and services, generate jobs and help our communities thrive. We congratulate the Top 5 organizations along with those who were also nominated for the impact they are making in the communities where we live and work.” – Catherine Ludgate, Manager, Community Investment, Vancity

“Yellow Pages wishes to congratulate this year’s Top 5 Finalists. British Columbia has some successful entrepreneurs, and we’re pleased to participate in recognizing their success and contributions to the local economy.” – Sonny Magon, Senior Sales Manager, Yellow Pages

Media Contact:
Mark Blendheim
Communications Manager, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607
[email protected]

About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties. P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 120,000 Canadians, pays $8.2 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $49 billion.

Press Release

BRITISH COLUMBIA’S BEST SMALL BUSINESSES OF 2016-17 TO BE ANNOUNCED AT SMALL BUSINESS BC AWARDS CEREMONY

Small Business BC Awards Header 2017Monday, February 20, 2017 – Vancouver: The winners of the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards will be announced at the Pan Pacific Vancouver on Thursday, February 23, 2017 during an evening drinks, appetizers and networking with 500 BC business owners, industry influencers, government officials and special guests.

The Small Business BC Awards is the largest small business awards competition in the province. These awards recognize the outstanding achievements of British Columbia’s entrepreneurs and celebrate the contributions new and existing businesses registered in BC, with fewer than 50 employees, make to their local communities and the global economy.

Between October 1 and November 30, 2016, Small Business BC and the Insurance Bureau of Canada asked British Columbians to nominate their favourite small businesses for the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards. This year, 699 nominations were received from 72 communities across the province.

Those who activated their communities and received the most votes were named the Top 10 Semi-Finalists on December 12, 2016 and invited to submit a more detailed application. These applications were used to decide the Top 5 Finalists, who then pitched their business to a panel of judges to be named one of BC’s best.

Recipients of Small Business BC Awards are recognized with the Premier’s Prize in the amount of $1,500 cash, a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education, resources and experts, and one-on-one business mentorship with notable advisors from the award sponsors.

The public is invited to support these entrepreneurs at the upcoming Small Business BC Awards Ceremony. More details on the Small Business BC Awards and event tickets can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca.

Quotes

“Small businesses are the backbone of Canada’s leading economy, responsible for creating over a million jobs in B.C. That’s why we worked hard to become the most small business-friendly jurisdiction in North America. Congratulations all the Top 5 Finalists for being recognized as innovative, responsible pillars in their community.” – Premier Christy Clark

“Small businesses account for 98% of all businesses in B.C. – they drive the economy and create jobs for British Columbians. All the Top 5 Finalists for the Small Business BC Awards should be proud that their communities voted them into the top spots! Congratulations to all the Top 5 Finalists in the Small Business BC Awards.” – Hon. Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business, Red Tape Reduction and Liquor Distribution

“This year, we saw an incredible level of participation in the Small Business BC Awards. Their efforts to build a vibrant economy in B.C. deserve the respect of all British Columbians and the Small Business BC Awards are the best way to celebrate and acknowledge their success and contribution.” – George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC

“IBC is proud to support small businesses in British Columbia and across Canada. Insurers and consumers know that when small businesses succeed it promotes job creation and economic growth. That is why Canada’s insurance industry is committed to working with small business owners to make sure they have the protection and coverage they need to help them grow and prosper.” – Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, IBC

“At the BC Innovation Council we are lucky to work as an Innovation Exchange™ as we get to witness the broad reach that technology has on all industries in the province. Every day, we are able to witness the benefits our province’s innovators are able to provide to B.C. businesses. We see first-hand that tech is everywhere and we are proud to sponsor an award that recognizes this.” – Carl Anderson, President and CEO, BC Innovation Council

“We’re looking forward to meeting all the nominated employers for the Best Apprentice Training Award this year. Small businesses make up a large portion of B.C.’s economy and this community plays an important role in ensuring that skilled trades apprentices are getting the right hands-on experience on their apprenticeship journey. We’re excited to partner with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to recognize an employer that is doing their part to training B.C.’s trades industry.” – Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority

“I would like to congratulate the Top 5 Finalists for the Best Apprenticeship Training Award. Their support of KPU students and the real-world mentoring is vital to their success as apprentices. KPU recognizes the essential contribution of small business to the ecology of B.C. and Canada’s economy and are honoured to have the opportunity to celebrate this significant contribution from small businesses across the province.” – Salvador Ferreras, Ph.D., Provost and Vice-President Academic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

“We are thrilled to see such strong levels of participation and engagement in the Small Business BC Awards this year. As avid supporters of the small business community, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding businesses that have emerged as Top 5 Finalists for each of the award categories.” – Paul Struthers, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Sage Canada

“TruShield Insurance is proud to partner with an innovative organization like Small Business BC and help support the hard-working entrepreneurs of British Columbia. We’re amazed to see such impressive growth in the participation for the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards, and we look forward to honouring both the success of these finalists and their contributions to our communities. Congratulations to each of you!” – Mike Gaba, Manager, Business Development, TruShield Insurance

“UPS Canada is proud to collaborate with Small Business BC to offer the Best International Trade Award to
entrepreneurs in British Columbia. We would like to acknowledge those who were nominated, and congratulate those who are now Top 5 Finalists in the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards.” – Paul Gaspar, Director of Small Business, UPS Canada

“Small businesses are the drivers of the local economy, they innovate to create new products and services, generate jobs and help our communities thrive. We congratulate the Top 5 organizations along with those who were also nominated for the impact they are making in the communities where we live and work.” – Catherine Ludgate, Manager, Community Investment, Vancity

“Yellow Pages wishes to congratulate this year’s Top 5 Finalists. British Columbia has some successful entrepreneurs, and we’re pleased to participate in recognizing their success and contributions to the local economy.” – Sonny Magon, Senior Sales Manager, Yellow Pages

Media Contact:
Mark Blendheim
Communications Manager, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607
[email protected]

About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties. P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 120,000 Canadians, pays $8.2 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $49 billion.

We respectfully acknowledge our place of work is within the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and that we serve the Peoples of the many Nations throughout British Columbia.