Business
Business Excellence Awards names recipients
By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Published 2:51 PST, Fri December 3, 2021
Last Updated: 10:29 PST, Mon December 20, 2021
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The 44th annual Richmond Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards has concluded, naming 11 recipients that represent the success of local business.
“The Business Excellence Awards gave us so many great examples of employers who worked hard to adapt and persevere throughout the pandemic,” says the chamber’s chief executive officer Dan Baxter.
“One of our finalists, the Layfield Group, began manufacturing personal protective equipment for the Canadian market Our Innovative Enterprise of the Year recipient, Sharon Bonner from Bright Ideas Events actually founded an industry association and literally ‘wrote the book’ on virtual event planning to overcome challenges to her sector. Steveston Seafood House, our Mid-Size Business of the Year, stepped up to keep their doors open by pivoting to take-home service, and even expanding their operation to meat pies. In every corner of Richmond, we see our local organizations using their creativity and expertise to succeed.”
And although last year’s virtual awards ceremony was still a success given the different format, Baxter says it was great to be able to reunite in person. About 300 guests were at the Nov. 25 event, with mask and vaccination protocols in place.
“There’s a certain indescribable energy generated by crowd of people that you just can’t recreate virtually. There was tremendous excitement in the room,” says Baxter.
The full list of finalists and recipients is below:
Association of the Year: Touchstone Family Association
• Finalist: Richmond Multicultural Community Services
• Finalist: Richmond Orchestra & Chorus Association
Green Business of the Year: Hemlock Harling Distribution
• Finalist: Electric Go
• Finalist: WJ Packaging
Innovative Enterprise of the Year: Bright Ideas Events
• Finalist: WJ Packaging
• Finalist: Broadway Sound and Stage Lighting Inc.
Business Leadership of the Year: Terra Nova Medical Clinic
• Finalist: Herbaland Naturals
• Finalist: Advantage Speech Language Pathology
New Business of the Year: Canadian Ecosystem Institute
• Finalist: AB Coast Aviation Services
• Finalist: Liv’EZ Co. (Live Easy)
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: PromoChrom Technologies, Ian Wan
• Finalist: Dr. Romi Fung, Naturopathic Doctor
• Finalist: Liv’EZ Co., Angel Lam (Live Easy)
Outstanding Workplace of the Year: Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
• Finalist: Advantage Speech Language Pathology
• Finalist: Symphony Hill Properties
Small Business of the Year: Sher-E Punjab Radio AM 600
• Finalist: Seafair Gourmet Meats Ltd.
• Finalist: Chatham Dental Centre
Mid-Size Business of the Year: Steveston Seafood House
• Finalist: PromoChrom Technologies
• Finalist: 505 Junk
Large Business of the Year: Herbaland Naturals
• Finalist: Layfield Group Ltd.
• Finalist: Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd.
Hall of Fame Inductee: Pajo’s Fish & Chips