The Tri-City News is among 41 companies to make the cut for a new business resiliency award.
The accolade — in recognition of the pressures during the pandemic lockdown this year — is part of a new category for the Tri-Cities’ Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Business Excellence Awards, of which the nominees were named this week.
Other companies shortlisted for the inaugural prize include 30 Minute Hit Port Moody, Galactic Entertainment and Westcoast SCI Physiotherapy.
In the Business of the Year (1 to 10 employees) category, won last year by Aging My Way Home Care, 37 firms are in the running like CrossFit CBC, Glen Dental Centre and In a Wink Beautique.
For Business of the Year (11 to 30 employees), snapped up in 2019 by Creative Transportation Solutions, 16 companies are on the list including Ballistic Arts, Big O Tires (Westwood) and Twin Sails Brewing.
And, in the Business of the Year (more than 30 employees) category, awarded to Coast Therapy last year, 11 companies were circled including burb, the first private recreational cannabis retailer in the Tri-Cities.
Meanwhile, the following people are up for a Business Leader of the Year award:
• Angela Calla (Angela Calla Mortgage Team)
• Angie Lam (2 Polished Beauty)
• Bill Laidler (Laidler Group)
• Brett Johnston (Community Fire Prevention)
• Brian Orrange (Orrange Kitchen + Bar)
• Fatma Taha (Big Hearts Homecare)
• Jamie Cuthbert (Rocky Point Kayak and Ice Cream)
• Jan O. Voss (Creative Transportation Solutions Ltd.)
• Jason Zanatta (Novo Textile Company)
• Joe Deobald (Full Frame Marketing Inc.)
• Julia Raeder (Protocol Environmental Solutions Inc.)
• Lisa Van Reeuwyk (Bloom Business Development)
• Malik Malikzada (Jamila’s Kitchen & Grill)
• Sandy Mann (National Kitchen and Bath Association B.C.)
• Sharon Perry (Sharon Perry & Associates)
• Susan Jarema (New Earth Marketing)
• Ted Lau (Ballistic Arts)
• Vishad Deeplaul (Backpack Buddies, ACCESS Youth, UWLM)
Calla is also up for a Community Spirit Award, presented last year to Wesbild, along with Coquitlam Centre, Gill McCullough, Joey Coquitlam, Ken Abel, Lisa Beescroft, Malik Malikzada, Mary Hill Fit Body Boot Camp, Moody Ales, Mpower Lives, Ravinder Safaya, Sandpiper Signs and Decal, Sandra Horton, The Batter Box, Tri-Cities Community Foundations, Tri-City Iranian Cultural Society and Vishad Deeplau.
Eleven organizations are in the running for the Not-for-Profit of the Year award while six businesses are shortlisted for the Environmental Steward Award.
Finally, in the category of Young Professional of the Year, the nominees are:
• Adina Diaconu (WESTPRO Physiotherapy)
• Caleb Jeffries (Rawhide Golf)
• Cassandra Curtis (Cassandra Cake Co.)
• Jessica Morrison (Squish Juicery)
• Kyle Pettie (MNP LLP)
• Mariko Baerg (Bridgewell Real Estate Group)
• Milena Canta (Vela Academy of Movement)
• Patrick Lago (Golf Academy)
• Paul Choi (Juris Notary)
• Samantha Lavoie (Samantha’s Cleaning Services)
• Yasaman Madanikia (Expressions Counselling)
“We are extremely proud of the wealth of outstanding businesses here in the Tri-Cities,” said Michael Hind, CEO of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. “Despite the challenges that the pandemic has burdened on local businesses, all of the 2020 nominees have demonstrated business excellence and a commitment to bettering our community. With over double the normal nomination count, everyone should be proud of themselves for making an impact over these past few months.”
The finalists in the nine categories will be announced Nov. 18, with the winners officially named Jan. 30, 2021.
To read the complete list of nominees, go to tricitieschamber.com/2020-bea-nominees.
