The Chilliwack Chamber's Business Excellence Awards turned 21 this weekend, and celebrated in style.
The theme was Rat Pack in the Wack, and the evening was filled with great music, food and laughter.
"It was just an amazing night," says Fieny van den Boom, executive director of the Chamber. She said the planning committee really outdid themselves, and that the entire night went off without a hitch.
"There was a flow to it, and the emcees really knocked it out of the park."
Emcees were Kirk Dzaman, Chamber president, and Kevin Gemmell, past president, who crooned Vegas-style parodies and kept the audience entertained throughout the event at Tzeachten Hall.
But most importantly, 18 local businesses, organizations and individuals were awarded for excellence.
"It's very important that businesses are celebrated for their excellence," van den Boom says. "It doesn't mean the other nominees don't do that, but it's the same as with the Oscars — there's always one that just stands out.
"They need to be recognized in a celebratory way, so everyone can see what they're doing," she says. In that way, business owners can learn what's working, and be inspired to improve their own day-to-day operations.
Here are the winners, with a few words as mentioned about them at the awards ceremony.
Professional Service Award – KPMG LLP
KPMG is a national and local leader in delivering audit, tax and advisory services.
They lead by example, respect the individual, seek the facts and provide insight, are open and honest in their communication, are committed to their community and act with integrity.
Employee of the Year - Don Armstrong (Salvation Army)
Don is an extremely hard worker who goes above and beyond to ensure the success of the Food Bank; always willing to explore creative and innovative partnerships or opportunities.
He exemplifies the values of the Salvation Army in everything he does; driven to ensure the best possible client service and provision, keen to develop positive relationships with donors, staff and volunteers.
Agricultural Excellence - Southern Irrigation
The culture at Southern Irrigation is built on a commitment of respect, integrity, quality and service.
Their motto “Intelligent Water Solutions” is practiced throughout their own sustainable building located in Chilliwack. They thrive on helping people be successful in their efficient use of water, by providing high quality, up to date products and design.
Development Excellence - Creekside Mills at Cultus Lake
Creekside Mills at Cultus Lake was created for a rich outdoor lifestyle, enjoyed year round by its owners. This is the first ever Farm to Table community in B.C., incorporating a recreational agricultural theme. Most of the contractors and trades that work on these houses and community come from Chilliwack.
Creekside Mills may even become a landmark and template for future developments of this kind.
Chamber Award – Hofstede’s Country Barn
Richard Procee and his staff go above and beyond as a Chamber member. They are a sponsor of the Chamber golf tournament and will never say no when asked to donate either their time or a donation from their store. Richard will promote the Chamber wherever he goes and is always positive about the Chamber.
Inclusive Employer Award - Downtown Chilliwack BIA
The BIA has been a leader in employing people with disabilities; Harold Zinke has been employed for approximately 20 years and is a great addition to the downtown.
Recently they have hired another person to help Harold with his duties and they are seen at all events helping set up and keeping the streets clean and safe.
Retail Excellence Award – Fred’s Custom Tackle
Fred Helmer, owner of Fred’s Custom Tackle grew up fishing with his family and friends in this area. They are proud to research and test all of the products they sell, along with manufacturing and branding specific tackle for our local fisheries. They also take pride in custom build fishing rods for individual customer requirements. Not only do they provide competitive pricing and a great selection of product, they also provide outstanding customer service.
Directors Award – Undine Miller
The 2015 Director Award recipient is a small business owner. She has been a member of the board of the Chamber for the past two years, but has been a significant supporter for their entire business career. This director comes to meetings prepared; participates in many committees at the Chamber level; is a member of other non-Chamber-related committees and groups within the city. She is also an avid participant in All chamber activities. You will see and hear this Director working hard to promote the Chamber movement in Chilliwack and abroad.
Sustainability Award – All Things Being Eco
All Things Being Eco offers organic, eco-friendly, and fair-trade products online and at their retail store. They also host seminars and events where customers can learn about natural products to help them make environmentally-responsible product decisions. They also have sustainable operating practices, such as: energy saving measures for lighting and heating systems, water conserving fixtures, waste reduction, reuse and recycling programs, and environmentally-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products.
Manufacturing Award – Lustre Products
If you have ridden an elevator or an escalator in North America or Europe you likely have touched or seen Lustre Products components. They produce unique, beautiful, and stunning designs found in average to high end buildings.
Hand rails, guides, signs including braille signs. And for your safety – engineered products to assist inspectors to gauge rope-cable wear. A unique industry in our backyard with products around the world.
Recreation, Leisure & Hospitality Award – Mt. Waddington’s Outdoors
Mt. Waddington’s Outdoors is an outdoor equipment and guide outfitter. What began as a retail store has now grown to be a leader in offering advice in outdoor adventures, providing guided backcountry tours, and presenting Speaker's Series and film festivals for outdoor enthusiasts, all the while encouraging locals and visitors to Chilliwack alike to experience all that nature has offer. Through the new Excellence in Recreation, Leisure & Hospitality Award, the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Mt. Waddington's contributions to the local tourism industry and efforts to promote recreational opportunities in the Fraser Valley.
Not-for-Profit Service Award – Chilliwack Society for Community Living
Chilliwack Society for Community Living is serving Chilliwack since 1954. Created by a group of families who wanted to provide educational opportunities for their sons and daughters with special needs and became a role model for full community inclusion. Individuals requiring living support, employment support, access to community recreation and leisure, and a variety of other needs are supported through CSCL’s wide array of services. CSCL is a change agent in our community, advocating for full inclusion of citizens with disabilities in community life.
Stan Rogers Legacy Award - Marilyn Vik
When you think of Marilyn Vik, immediately the word community comes to mind. Marilyn believes that she cannot expect anything of her community unless she supports her community and its programs whole heartedly as a volunteer. Marilyn brings this belief to every planning meeting, to every task, to every event and to every team member she works side by side with.
For some people volunteering is about giving, but for the likes of Marilyn it is a way of living.
Dining Excellence Award - Younies Restaurant
Younies is a casual dining restaurant which has served Chilliwack for many years with good food, excellent friendly service and a variety of dishes reasonably priced.
They employ 38 people and provide a great service to the people of Chilliwack.
Young Entrepreneur Award – Bonnie Friesen - Faspa and Company
Bonnie provides a new approach to dining in Chilliwack. No mass production, but with a vision of farm to fork sourcing and dining with her own spin and a unique passion and style to create and present delicious meals. Becoming an entrepreneur has proven to be a difficult, yet rewarding road where her greatest challenge is to overcome the apathy towards food and demonstrate a greater appreciation for where the food we eat comes from.
New Business of the Year Award - Little Village Shoe Boutique
Providing an excellent customer experience is just one of the many reasons, Nalla Steigvilas and Little Village Shoe Boutique have seen great success in these first few years in business. Offering high-quality, stylish brands of shoes and boots that cannot be found elsewhere in Chilliwack, Little Village Shoes has established itself as a shopping destination in the downtown; certainly contributing to the revitalization of Mill Street.
Aboriginal Business of the Year - Bravo Restaurant
There is no need to travel to Vancouver to enjoy a high quality dining experience. Bravo in downtown Chilliwack focusses on dinners as their speciality, with most ingredients sourced locally.
They take pride in being a community partner at fund raising events by preparing traditional Metis and First Nations foods to tantalize your taste buds.
They also are a training ground for student chefs who have completed their initial training at UFV.
They offer high quality products at the best possible prices.
Business of the Year – Intuitive Rehabilitation Services
At Intuitive Independence Rehabilitation Services we are dedicated to delivering quality care to assist in the recovery, rehabilitation, and health promotion of all their clients. They are a special company developed from a passion to deliver evidenced based rehabilitation to a very complex caseload.
They grew on the firm belief that the client outcomes dictate future referrals. By providing a good workplace, flexibility and services to ensure wellness, the team is equipped to go and assist the community with reaching their goals, thus creating a positive outcome for them and their wellness. To further ensure profitability and growth, the clinic owner often completes presentations at insurance companies, law firms, and through physician offices to ensure new referral source options.