Forty-five businesses and people are finalists in this year's Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
Headlining the event is the Businessperson of the Year award, with hotel owner John Hampel up against NRI Distribution's Peter McKenna and iCompass Technologies owner Todd Stone - now a candidate for the B.C. Liberal party here. The award is sponsored by Excel Personnel.
A new entrant in the tourism and hospitality award is Tree Top Flyers, the zipline that opened in Chase Creek Canyon this summer.
"Definitely it's cool to hear," said Ron Betts, one of four entrepreneurs who owns the business based in Chase. "Just like the Oscars - it's good to be nominated."
Tree Top Flyers is up against Hotel 540, Scott's Inn and Restaurant and South Thompson Inn and Conference Centre in the category.
Betts said the nomination is a validation the work that's gone into making the tourist attraction a success in its first year.
Nominations for the TD Bank-sponsored awards come from businesses and the public. More than 168 businesses and people were nominated in 15 categories this year.
Hampel, a hotelier, recently opened one of Kamloops newest properties, Best Western Plus in Sahali. He also owns a hotel in Prince George and recently sold Clearwater Lodge.
Best Western Plus won last year's tourism and hospitality award.
Tim Rodgers, general manager of Best Western Plus, said awards and nominations are a credit to staff and provide a boost for any business.
"You don't win because you apply," he said. "It's because your customers say they like you. In business there's nothing better than customers saying you're doing a good job."
Forty-five independent selection committee members will now research and interview finalists. Winners will be announced at a gala on the evening of Oct. 13.
2012 Business Excellence Awards finalists.
City of Kamloops Community Service Award
ˇ Abbott Wealth Management
ˇ Canadian Western Bank
ˇ Radio NL
Venture Kamloops Resource Industry Award
ˇ Highlands Irrigation Ltd.
ˇ Plateau Construction Ltd.
ˇ River City Fiber Ltd.
Berwick on the Park Service Provider Award 1-10 Staff
ˇ Brain Train International
ˇ Rest Assured Home
ˇ Summit Gourmet Meats
BC Hydro Green Award 1-10 Staff
ˇ Dr. Preety Desai - Laser Implant Periodontal Specialist
ˇ Snug Glee Bumz Diaper Service
ˇ Think Green Painting
Kamloops Lincoln Service Provider Award 11+ Staff
ˇ Excel Personnel Inc.
ˇ Kamloops Home Hardware Building Centre
ˇ Smith Chevrolet Cadillac Ltd.
RBC Green Award 11+ Staff
ˇ Best Western Plus Kamloops Hotel
ˇ Stantec
ˇ Thompson Rivers University
KGHM Ajax Mining Inc. Home Based Business of the Year Award
ˇ Social Fire Consulting
ˇ TLC for Pets
ˇ ZERO Tolerance DD's Service Ltd.
Aberdeen Mall Retailer Award 1-10 Staff
ˇ Portfolio Interiors (formerly Black & White Décor)
ˇ Designs for You Baskets
ˇ Findlay's Vacuum and Sewing Machine World
BCLC Technology Innovator Award
ˇ Netshift Media Inc.
ˇ ROI Media Works Corp.
ˇ Scorpion Technologies Ltd.
Underwriters Insurance Brokers Retailer Award 11+ Staff
ˇ Kamloops Ford Lincoln
ˇ Surplus Herby's
ˇ Wholesale Outfitters
Tourism & Hospitality Award
ˇ Hotel Five 540 Forty
ˇ Scott's Inn and Restaurant
ˇ South Thompson Inn and Conference Centre
ˇ Tree Top Flyers
BDC Business Development Bank Manufacturer Award
ˇ Northern Trailer
ˇ TDC Manufacturing Ltd.
ˇ Trout Creek International Homes
Excel Personnel Business Person of the Year Award
ˇ John Hampel - Best Western Plus Kamloops Hotel
ˇ Peter McKenna - NRI Distribution Inc.
ˇ Todd Stone - iCompass Technologies Inc.
Kamloops Business Magazine
Young Entrepreneur Award
ˇ Isabelle Hamptonstone - Brain Train International
ˇ Krishna Lakkineni - ROI Media Works
ˇ Sabrina Sinclair - Fit by Design Consulting
Home Hardware First Nations Business of the Year Award
ˇ Heartbeat Consulting
ˇ Sun Ridge Equipment Ltd.
ˇ 2 Dz Boutique
