A number of local businesses will be recognized for their efforts over the past year, when the Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 2012 Business Excellence Awards on February 25 at the Highliner.
On Thursday, February 9, the top five finalists in each category were named at the Lester Centre of the Arts, where a Nominees Reception for the Business of Excellence Awards was held. Although five finalists were named, only three are still eligible in each category to take home awards.
In the Rookie Business of the Year category, the finalists are Muskeg Press, Neat and Tidy Eco Friendly Cleaning, and Power n Passion For Life.
Businesses that have been recognized for their Community Involvement consist of Hawk Air, Northern Savings Credit Union, and Pac 10 Tutoring, who are the three contenders.
The Aboriginal Business of the Year finalists includes Pac 10 Tutoring, Rainforest Books, and Raven’s Professional Piercing.
The finalists for Chamber Member of the Year are Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest, Jason Scherr, and TD Canada Trust.
There will be three winners in the Small Business of the Year, the first of which being from the industry, manufacturing and transportation area. The remaining contenders are Adventure Tours, The Electrician and Papa Mobile Taxi. For hospitality and tourism, the finalists are Kathy’s Hair Design, Pac 10 Tutoring and the Pioneer Hostel.
Finalist for the retail Small Business of the Year award includes City Furniture, Cowpuccino’s and Mackenzie Furniture.
Groups being acknowledged for their volunteering efforts, which are the final three in the Volunteer Organization of the Year category are the Prince Rupert Wildlife Shelter, the Rotary Club and the Salvation Army.
Local businesses that are finalists in the Excellence in Customer Service portion include the Crest Hotel, Homework and TD Canada Trust.
This year, finalists included in the finalist for the Newsmaker of the Year category include Glen Saunders who was responsible for the Paint Prince Rupert Program last summer, the Prince Rupert Port Authority and Ridley Terminals.
The finalists for Business of the Year are the Crest Hotel, Hawk Air and Ridley Terminals.
Businesses Eco Management, Neat and Tidy Eco Friendly Cleaning and the Prince Rupert Port Authority were recognized for their green-effects, being the three finalists in the Green Award category.
Finally, the finalists for the Excellence in Innovation Award are CityWest and Valley I T Solutions.
Anyone wishing to get tickets to attend the Business Excellence Awards ceremony can do so by calling the Chamber, or reserving tickets online.