Parksville’s business community honoured its own on Thursday night.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the annual Business Achievement Awards during a sold-out awards gala night at the Parksville Centre.
The event was emceed by Dave Graham and Jeannie Maltesen, with with category winners and a Community Spirit Award handed out.
The Service Excellence Award went to Chris Grundmann of Island Automotive (finalists: Jason Hastings and KirstenRuryk, Taste Café & Bistro; Marie Lloyd Jones, McDonald’s Restaurants).
The Small Business of the Year honour was won by Ground Zero Acoustic Lounge (finalists: Robert Held Art Glass; Rusted Rake Farm).
The Large Business of the Year award went to Harris Oceanside Chevrolet, Buick, GMC (finalists: OspreyElectric; Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre).
Outstanding Workplace – Employer of the Year was Weather-Wise Cedar Products (finalists: Cultivate Garden & Gift; Parksville Home Hardware).
“Honoured and humbled to have Weather-Wise represent this incredible community while working alongside such a professional mindful team,” said manager Greg Matheson after accepting the award.
Young Professional of the Year honours went to Hollie Quiring, RBC Royal Bank (finalists: Bradd Tuck, Yates Memorial Services; Melisa Beatty, Coastal Community Credit Union).
The Not for Profit of the Year award went to Parksville Beach Festival Society (finalists: Concord Lodge No. 79; North Island Wild Life Recovery Centre).
And the chamber was pleased to announce the recipient of the Community Spirit Award, sponsored by the Society of Organized Services, which went to Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre. The Community Spirit Award recognizes a business or individual that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to developing and encouraging community spirit and pride.
“Hosting the Business Achievement Awards is an honour for the chamber,” said executive director Kim Burden. “It represents months of work to make it just right and something our members can be proud of, but in the end, it is worth it. Finalists, winners, their families and colleagues are so supportive and it’s just a pleasure to be a part of. It’s important to us that we honour and support the great businesses in our community.”
For more information on the festivitis, visit www.parksvillechamber.com.