The people and businesses that contribute to making The Elk Valley a better place were formally recognized at Chamber of Commerce Excellence Award ceremonies in Fernie and Sparwood.
Award ceremonies were held in Sparwood on Oct. 23 at the Causeway Bay Hotel and in Fernie on Oct. 24 at Bayleaf Indian Fusion Restaurant.
“This year’s Business Excellence Awards have been especially meaningful, not only because we are gathering during Small Business Week, but because the strength and dedication of our business community continue to inspire me,” said Fernie Chamber executive director Wendy McDougall.
Twelve awards were given at each ceremony to recognize the best, the new, and the most notable achievements in the business community. Following the community nomination survey period, nominees completed forms which were reviewed by a panel of local judges to determine who would be the final contenders.
In Sparwood, awards were distributed by Stormtec, SMS Equipment, Elk Valley Resources, and the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce board.
Over in Fernie, the event kicked off with opening remarks from guest speakers Deputy Mayor Ted Shoesmith and Chamber Chair Antony McElwee. Presentation of the awards was hosted by MC Sadie Rosgen.
Recipients of the 2024 Sparwood Business Excellence Awards:
Citizen of the Year
Tammy Ogden
Community Spirit Award
Lana Dortman
Outstanding Customer Service
Phoenix Tree Counselling
Retail Business
Buds & Blooms
Employer of the Year Award
Causeway Bay Hotel
Best Scarecrow
Causeway Bay Hotel
Not-For-Profit
Sparwood Trails Alliance
Industrial Business
Rayco Steel Ltd.
New Business
Doggone Adventures
Community Youth Award
Maddie Cook
Youth Employer Award
McDonalds
Chamber Business Legacy Award
EV Thrift Shop Society
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Recipients of the 2024 Fernie Business Excellence Awards:
Citizen of the Year (Sponsored by The City of Fernie)
Abi Moore
Fernie Business of the Year (Sponsored by TC Energy and Surerus Murphy Joint Venture)
Local – Wildsight Elk Valley
Community Group of the Year (Sponsored by TD Bank)
Elk Valley Family Society
New Business of the Year (Sponsored by Fernie Alpine Resort)
Ridgeline Physio
Employer of the Year (Sponsored by College of the Rockies)
Fernie Brewing Co.
Businessperson of the Year (Sponsored by Claris Media)
Jeff Johnson – Ski Base
Youth Employer of the Year (Sponsored by Western Financial Group)
GearHub
Community Tourism Achievement (Sponsored by Tourism Fernie)
Fernie Brewing Co.
Environmental Sustainability (Sponsored by Fernie Brewing Co.)
Wildsight Elk Valley
Outstanding Customer Service (Sponsored by The Free Press)
Barkside Pets
Chamber Business Legacy (Sponsored by Columbia Basin Trust)
Big Bang Bagels
People’s Choice (Sponsored by Rockies Law)
Fernie Strength Collective
Elkford Chamber of Commerce Business Award’s Ceremony will be covered in a second article.
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