The finalists are set. The Fernie Chamber of Commerce announced this week that the close to 100 businesses and organizations nominated for the Fernie Business Excellence Awards have been pared down to three per category.
The three finalists were determined by an independent panel of judges from the Fernie area, and selected the winners as well.Winners will be announced on Thursday, October 12 at the awards gala at the Best Western Fernie.
The exceptions to this were the People’s Choice Award, the Chamber Legacy Award, and the Citizen of the Year. Any business or organization that was nominated for an award was in the running for the People’s Choice Award, with over 700 votes cast. The Chamber Legacy Award and the Citizen of the Year were selected by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce board of directors and will be announced at the awards event. Chamber Executive Director Wendy McDougall says she was impressed by the buy in from businesses and residents.
“This is my first Business Excellence Awards as the Fernie Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, and I am blown away but the extraordinary participation, support and involvement of the business and not-for-profit community in this event. We certainly have a lot to celebrate as Fernie continues to grow, evolve and adapt to the changing economy. Fernie is such a resilient community, it was a real treat to read and hear how businesses and innovating, becoming more sustainable and giving back to the community. On behalf of the Fernie Chamber, I want to sincerely congratulate all nominees and finalists.” There are limited tickets available for the awards gala and priority will be given to finalist businesses, allowing a maximum of two attendees per business.
If you wish to purchase more than two tickets, please email events@ferniechamber.com with the names of the individuals and they will be added to a wait list. Tickets are $115 + tax for Fernie Chamber members and $130 + tax for non-members. Tickets include a beverage upon arrival and a full buffet dinner and are available for sale at www.ferniechamber.com through the event page.
The full list of finalists is below:
Citizen of the Year
Sponsored by the City of Fernie Announced at the awards gala
Community Group of the Year
Sponsored by Columbia Basin Trust
• Elk Valley Dolphins Swim Club
• Fernie Pride Society
• Twin Meadows Animal Rescue Society
New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Fernie Alpine Resort
• Wild Wapiti Playschool
• Tunnel49
• Stemhouse Floral Studio
Community Tourism Achievement
Sponsored by Tourism Fernie
• AmbassadorWILD
• Tunnel49
• Fernie Trails Alliance
Employer of the Year
Sponsored by College of the Rockies
• College of the Rockies
• Eldho’s Independent Grocer
• Fernie Fox Hotel
Environmental Sustainability Award
Sponsored by Fernie Brewing Company
• Community Energy Association
• Wapiti Music Festival
• Fernie Fox Hotel
Businessperson of the Year
Sponsored by Claris Media
• Jeff Johnson - Ski Base
• Megan Lohmann – Community Energy Association
• Dennis Djonlich – Vogue Theatre
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Sponsored by Western Financial Group
• Barkside Pets
• Fernie Heritage Library
• Island Lake Lodge
Business Innovation Award
Sponsored by StellarVista Credit Union
• Fernie Brewing Company
• Stemhouse Floral Studio
• GearHub Sports
Chamber Business Legacy Award
Sponsored by Peacock Hospitality Group
Announced at the awards gala
Fernie Business of the Year
Sponsored by TC Energy & Surerus Murphy
• Edge of the World
• Fernie Brewing Company
• Ski Base
People’s Choice Award
Sponsored by The Fernie Free Press
Announced Friday, September 21