Salt Spring Island
4th Annual Business Excellence Awards
Winners are now postedPlease Click Here to view a full winners listing
Here is your opportunity to nominate a business or citizen you feel deserves to be recognized. There are eight Business Awards and the Citizen of the Year Award - Spirit of Salt Spring award.
Nominations may be made via the Chamber Web Site (Below), forms are also available at the Visitor Information Centre, Chamber of Commerce, Windsor Plywood, and Driftwood office.
Business of the Year Award (8 or more employees)
Sponsored by Mouat's Trading
This award is presented to a business that has demonstrated sound business practices, leadership, involvement in the community and exceptional employee relations. The recipient will meet any or all of the following criteria:
- Community Involvement (sponsorship of sports teams and or associations, contributes to worthy causes, representation on community based boards)
- Demonstrates an all around excellence in business
- Committed to safety in the workplace
- Displays proven excellence in customer service
- Has proven career advancement opportunities for their employees, training programs that improve employee skills, appraisal systems, and incentive and benefits programs
- Shows a history of long term employees and fosters diversity in the workplace that maximizes the potential of all people
Small Business of the Year Award (less than 8 employees)
Sponsored by Island Star Video / TJ Beans
This award is presented to a small business operating a minimum of 3 years on Salt Spring Island that has demonstrated a generous level of community involvement and makes an effort to purchase supplies locally.
The recipient will meet any or all of the following criteria:
- Is involved in the community (membership in local organizations, sponsorship of sports teams and or associations, representation on community based boards, contributes to worthy causes)
- Proven to provide leadership and opportunities to its employees
- Has an Owner(s) present at day to day operations
- Committed to safety in the workplace
- Excels in customer service
Business Ambassador of the Year Award
Sponsored by Salt Spring Air
This award will be presented to a business that attracts positive attention and interest to Salt Spring Island through their product or service. The business will sell their product both on Salt Spring and off-Island attracting interest in the "Salt Spring" brand, while promoting potential opportunities and quality of life on Salt Spring Island.
The recipient will meet any or all of the following criteria:
- A commitment to the broader community
- Product line or service provided to off-Island markets is known to be from Salt Spring Island
- Community Involvement (membership in local organizations, sponsorship of sports teams and or associations)
New Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by Thrifty Foods
This award is presented to a business that, in its first three years of operation on Salt Spring Island, is demonstrating business excellence in any or all of the following areas:
- Growth and success within first three years of operation
- Created new employment opportunities and future growth potential
- May have renovated or built a new facility
- Sound employee relations and excellence in customer service
Agricultural / Farm Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by The Wine Cellar
The agricultural and/or farm business that consistently shows excellence and quality in service and/or product.
The recipient will meet any or all of the following criteria:
- Produces and/or grows a product to supply one or more local industries or businesses
- Demonstrates an environmentally friendly focus within its operations
- Plays a role as a supplier to other local agricultural/farm operations
Green Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by Island Savings Credit Union
This business has made a conscious effort to make their business environmentally friendly and sets an example for the business community on Salt Spring Island.
The recipient will meet any or all of the following criteria:
- Practices water and energy conservation
- Practices recycling, reducing, and reusing in their daily business
- Makes an effort to reduce their carbon footprint
Citizen of the Year Award - Spirit of Salt Spring
Sponsored by Salt Spring Insurance Services
This award is presented to an individual who deserves recognition for their personal contributions on Salt Spring Island through volunteerism, building community spirit, advocacy, and showing a continuing interest in the well being of Salt Spring Island.
The recipient will meet any or all of the following criteria:
- Possesses a capacity to bridge the gap between environmental and developmental concerns
- Preservation of nature areas and wildlife, historical structures and archival materials
- Advocate or community fundraiser, volunteer
- Desire to make a positive impact on Salt Spring Island
- Through volunteer efforts, has benefited the quality of life on Salt Spring Island
Building or Construction Trades Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by John Cade - Royal LePage
This award is presented to a building or construction trade business including contractors, any sub-trades, excavators, or landscapers that reside on Salt Spring Island and practice business solely on the Island, meeting any or all of the following criteria:
- Uses the facility and influence of their business to provide a service or product when volunteering for a community project
- Makes an effort to buy the majority of their supplies locally
- Reputation for providing quality workmanship and/or products to their customers and industry peers
- WCB registrant
- Provides career growth and/or apprenticeship opportunities for its employees
Market Vendor of the Year Award
Sponsored by Salt Spring Island Cheese
This award is presented to a vendor that inspires new and potential vendors to participate in the Market, thereby giving the Market a broader appeal to Salt Spring residents and visitors alike.
The recipient will meet all of the following criteria:
- Is personally present at least 20 out of the 30 Market Saturdays in the year
- Makes, bakes, or grows a superior product that represents the best of the creative artisan spirit of the Island
- Promotes and contributes to the co-operative and collaborative nature of the Market