Nominees have been announced for the 30th annual Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards, which will recognize businesses and organizations in the Abbotsford community. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre.

The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and the Abbotsford News present the awards. Organizers said this year’s nominees demonstrate the innovation, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Abbotsford businesses. The milestone edition continues an event that has celebrated local people and organizations for 30 years, according to organizers.

Nominees span business sectors

The Home Based Business Excellence nominees are Just Breathe Pilates, SoapScapes and Beyond Hypnotherapy. Columbia Kitchen Cabinets Ltd., Innovative Mining Services Inc. and Mainland Machinery are nominated for Manufacturing and Industrial Excellence.

Business award event associated with the Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards
Business award event associated with the Abbotsford Business Excellence Awards.

Bos Sod Farms Inc., The Meat Shoppe and Rossdown Farm are nominated for Agriculture and Agri-Business Excellence. The Tourism Excellence nominees are Silverbrook Farm, Lakeland Flowers, Taves Farms and Estate Cidery, Abbotsford International Airshow Society, Mango Market and Zuvreet Kaur PREC*.

AirVantage Heating & Cooling, McConkey Arborist Services and Ranallo’s Pizza & Gelato are nominated for Consumer Services Excellence. The Business of Doing Good Award nominees are Catering Services, Mamba Security Ltd., Flooring Canada, Yes Chef, MCC Centre Thrift, Sunny Sharma Real Estate, Hugs in a Mug, Hereafter Pets, Western Community College and Hyland Properties.

LIFE Recovery Association, BeMorr Society, Hope for Korah, Care For Women Foundation, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice – Dave Lede House, BC Blueberry Council, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation and The Abbotsford Legion are nominated for Non-Profit Organization of the Year.

Entrepreneurs and established businesses recognized

The Indigenous Business of the Year nominees are Ajijaak Contracting Ltd., Hungerford Properties for the Xchange and Dream Catchers Thrift Store. GrowEasy Solutions – Saboor Meherzad, Heritage Carpets & Flooring Ltd – Srikanth Mogulala and Troubleshoot Now – Chhayank Kaushik are nominated for the Company of Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award.

The New Business of the Year nominees are Mag Windows, SWIFT AI Group Inc., The Scream Machine, Simply Golf – Abbotsford Indoor Golf, Northpoint Realty Inc, Fast Air Ltd, Ornae and Spirit Hair Studio, and Unique Minds Consulting. Ledgeview Golf Club, Flair Airlines, Remax Elevate Realty, Hudson Service Group, WildFrog Systems and Clearway Rentals are nominated for Established Business of the Year.

For Entrepreneur of the Year, nominees are Lully’s – Andrew “Skully” White; Diesel Doctor – Jordan and Sara De Jong; Cassiar Film Co – Adam Wormwald; and Cassiart Farmhouse Brewing – Colleen Neels and Dan Neels.

The Women in Business Excellence Award nominees are Biggar Diamonds – Alison Biggar; Honeycomb Studios – Nicole Hobbis; Mamba Cycle Abbotsford – Keira Allen; The Goddess Movement – Aryn Savard; Pavilion Business Services – MaryAnne Carrier; Harrison Albert & Co Law LLP – Sara Albert; Red Lotus Spa & Laser Inc – Sundeep Gill; ProMed Eye Health – Linda Berti; and Fraser Valley Hypnosis – Angela Nyhuis.

A 30-year milestone

“Abbotsford’s business community continues to raise the bar,” said Alex Mitchell, the Abbotsford chamber CEO. Mitchell said nominees were creating jobs, investing in the community, taking risks and building organizations that strengthen the economy.

Shaulene Walsh, regional publisher for Black Press Media, called the 30-year milestone “an incredible” achievement. Walsh said the awards recognize the dedication, innovation and contributions of local businesses. She said those businesses serve the community, create opportunities and make a difference.

The source announcement lists the complete nominee categories and says the event will take place Nov. 12. Readers can find the event details through the original nominee announcement. The award program’s local-business focus also connects with coverage of an entrepreneur-week award, small-business support and a film-industry business proposal.