Osoyoos Home Hardware walked away with the prize for best large business during last year’s South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. Staff members from the successful local business, which has been owned and operated by Larry and Frances Sologuk since 1985 and has been part of the retail landscape in Osoyoos since 1942. Anyone may nominate local businesses for the awards, but the deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Dec. 31. Nominations can be made by downloading the form on the SOCC website at www.sochamber.ca. This year’s awards will take place on Jan. 23. A venue hasn’t been selected. (File photo)
The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce (SOCC) is seeking nominations for its Business Excellence Awards.
Anyone may nominate local businesses for the awards, but the deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Nominations can be made by downloading the form on the SOCC website at www.sochamber.ca.
The three major categories in past years have been Small Business Excellence for businesses with up to six employees including the owners; Large Business Excellence for businesses with seven or more employees; and Entrepreneur of the Year, which is open for all business and not-for-profit leaders.
New this year is a fourth category, Best Workplace Environment, which must be nominated by staff.
Bonnie Dancey, SOCC chief executive officer, said supporting letters always help a nominated business.
A committee reviews the nominations and selects the winners, Dancey said, adding that she can’t speak about who is on the committee or how they make their decisions.
“I just think the more support letters, the better chance a business has,” she said.
The awards are presented at an awards night held in conjunction with the SOCC’s annual general meeting (AGM).
The date has been set for Jan. 23, but a venue hasn’t been finalized, Dancey said.
In last year’s awards, Osoyoos Home Hardware won the excellence award for large business, Sarsons Mechanical Services Ltd. in Okanagan Falls won for small business and Len McLean of HW McLean Construction Ltd. won for Entrepreneur of the Year.
Myers Bennett, who finishes his term as SOCC president at the AGM, said last year’s winners are good examples of the kinds of reasons businesses are chosen.
Home Hardware, he said, has been active in many community events including the many years they ran the Osoyoos Street Dances.
Sarsons is also active in the community and their new shop gives a lift to the town, Bennett said.
McLean has also been active in many community causes including a charity golf tournament fundraiser.
Bennett said the awards are a good way for the community to recognize the things that businesses do for the community.
The awards also reflect on staff members, who feel good knowing that they are part of the business’s success, Bennett said.
The Business Excellence Awards are a wonderful way to acknowledge business owners across the South Okanagan who work so hard to create employment and make their communities a better place to live, said Bennett.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
