VICTORIA, BC – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the finalists for The Chamber’s 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards.

The finalists, listed below, have distinguished themselves in many categories and many ways, including excellent customer service, sustainable business practices, young entrepreneurship and business leadership. 

The Chamber’s 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards shine a light on hard-working businesses, business people and community leaders in 14 categories worth celebrating.  Finalists were chosen by an independent panel of prominent business leaders who served as judges.

“The finalists announced today all are shining examples of leadership and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “There is not a single business that has not been affected by the pandemic over the past year. Each of these businesses have a unique story to tell on how they overcame challenges and went the extra mile to ensure that, despite facing adversity, their business continues to thrive.”

The Chamber previously announced that Frank Bourree will receive the Governors’ Award of Distinction, and that John Espley has been named The Chamber’s 2021 Member of the Year.

The Governors’ Award of Distinction honours an individual for his or her outstanding leadership and accomplishments over the decades. The Chamber Member of the Year award recognizes an individual who has served as a volunteer at The Chamber, has taken an active role with the board or committees, fosters relationships with the community and advocates on behalf of business.
The Chamber’s 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards will be broadcast May 15, on CHEK TV.

The Chamber’s mission is to serve Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community. We work with our members, including our Chamber Champions, to make life better in Greater Victoria through advocacy, networking events, professional development and other unique activities. Find out more at VictoriaChamber.ca.
 
Media Contact:
Jim Zeeben                                                                                        
Communications and Project Manager
250 360-3471
communications@victoriachamber.ca
 
 
The Chamber 2021 Business Awards Finalists (listed alphabetically)
 
Community Builder; sponsored by Coast Capital Savings

• Accent Inns Inc.
• Imagine Studio Café 

 
Innovation; sponsored by University of Victoria, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business

• Rockland Scientific Inc.
• StarFish Medical

 
Outstanding Customer Service; sponsored by Innov8 Digital Solutions Inc.​

• Current Taxi
• Thrifty Foods

 
Sustainable Business Practices; sponsored by Camosun College

• Cascadia Seaweed
• Mike Geric Construction

 
New Business; sponsored by South Island Prosperity Partnership

• Dumpling Drop
• Pilothouse Digital

 
Business Person of the Year; sponsored by Canadian Tire

• Adam & Daisy Orser - Root Cellar Village Green Grocer
• Ian Tostenson - BC Restaurant & Food Services Association

                                               
Emerging Business Person of the Year (Under 35); sponsored by Royal Roads University

• Brandon Laur - The White Hatter - Personal Protection Systems Inc. 
• Jarid Taylor - Brandigenous 

 
Outstanding Workplace of the Year sponsored by Ralmax Group of Companies

• Brentwood Bay Resort
• Pacific Coast Health Services

                                   
Non-Profit of the Year; sponsored by Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island

• Our Place Society
• Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society

 
Business of the Year (1-10 Employees); sponsored by City of Victoria 

• Moduurn
• Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission

 
Business of the Year (11-39 Employees); sponsored by Newport Realty

• Orca Masonry
• Tutti Delivery

Business of the Year (40+ Employees); sponsored by Chard Development Ltd.

• CHEK Media Group
• Seaspan Victoria Shipyards

 
Chamber Member of the Year; sponsored by Air Canada

• John Espley, Connection Skills

 
Governors’ Award of Distinction; sponsored by Times Colonist

• Frank Bourree

VICTORIA, BC – This week marks an annual celebration of chambers of commerce and boards of trade that takes on new significance this year. Chamber Week in B.C. begins on Feb. 15, celebrating the value of the business community to our province, and the role of chambers in helping our economy thrive.

Chamber Week has been proclaimed by the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich, the City of Langford, the District of Oak Bay, the Township of Esquimalt and the Town of View Royal.

“There has been a spirit of collaboration and willingness to work together that makes this year’s celebration especially important,” says John Wilson, chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “From the earliest days of the pandemic, we’ve seen how vital chambers have been as the voice of business that truly has the ear of government. The advocacy that was done directly with decision makers at all levels of government helped shape the relief programs that have kept our economy in relatively good shape through these uncertain times.”

The Chamber has been advocating for Greater Victoria’s economic prosperity for 158 years, and has helped businesses get through previous critical moments in history. Many of the services and benefits offered by The Chamber today are designed to make our members more resilient and productive in good times and bad.

“Chamber Week is typically our chance to toot our own horn and take a moment to reflect on the tireless work being done by organizations like ours across the province,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. “But this year we know there’s still a lot of businesses that need help so we’re hoping to draw attention to the work needed to get these sectors through until better times return.”

Chamber Week features social media posts celebrating Chamber Champions, as well as updates on advocacy efforts including federal, provincial and municipal budget consultations. The Chamber is also kicking off three events with provincial ministers as part of our virtual Business Restart Series:

• Feb. 18: Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
  
• Feb. 23: Hon. David Eby, BC Attorney General and Minister for Housing
  
• March 2: Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
  

Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Big Wheel Burger, CHEK News, CIBC, Kinetic Construction, Knappett Projects, MNP, RBC, Seaspan, TELUS, and the University of Victoria. Find out more at VictoriaChamber.ca.  
 
Media can arrange an interview by contacting: 
Jim Zeeben                                                                                          
Communications and Project Manager 
250 360-3471 
communications@victoriachamber.ca