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Parksville chamber honours outstanding businesses with annual achievement awards

Ceremony held virtually, due to COVID-19 restrictions
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Aki and Penny Shah, owner operators of Tablet Pharmacy in Parksville, presented with the Small Business of the Year Award by by Sheena Peterson, RBC Branch Manager, and Margaret Morrison, RBC Manager Mortgage Specialist, North Vancouver Island . (Submitted photo)

The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce held its Business Achievement Awards on June 18, but in virtual fashion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awards ceremony was scheduled to take place on March 19 but had to rescheduled.

The popular event, co-sponsored by The PQB News, was held via Zoom and it was emceed by Dave Graham and Bill Dean.

Kim Burden, executive director of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce said it was a welcome interruption to its traditional routine.

‘The Business Achievement Awards is an annual highlight for the chamber, and we had to figure out a way to recognize our finalists and winners,” said Burden. “We’ve worked to make a virtual event for the business community, and I think something special for the finalists that shows our appreciation for our sponsors, staff and board of directors. As always, it is important for us as a chamber to honour and support the great businesses in our region.”

RELATED: PQBeat: Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Kim Burden

Jean Maltesen, president of the board of directors, called the modified ceremony a great success.

It’s a very memorable experience for finalists and their supporters and we are happy to have been able to host this wonderful community event,” said Maltesen.

The seven category winners and a special Community Spirit Award and Chamber Award recipients are:

Service Excellence Award Winner — M&N Mattress & Sofa

Small Business of the Year — Tablet Pharmacy

Large Business of the Year — Cascadia Martial Arts

Outstanding Workplace, Employer of the Year — Sarina Tryon, Paradise Child Care Centre

Young Professional of the Year — Breanna Quinney, LaVida Lashes & Boutique

Not for Profit of the Year — Arrowsmith Health Care Society

Tourism & Hospitality – Destination PQB — North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre

The Community Spirit Award, sponsored and selected by the Society of Organized Services, was presented to Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation. The Community Spirit Award recognizes a business or individual that demonstrated exceptional commitment to developing and encouraging community spirit and pride.

The Chamber Award, sponsored by Namaskar Yoga Studio and Parksville Community Centre was presented to ‘chamber cheerleader’ Bill Rutledge of Thrifty Foods.

— NEWS Staff, submitted

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Michael Briones

About the Author: Michael Briones

I rejoined the PQB News team in April 2017 from the Comox Valley Echo, having previously covered sports for The NEWS in 1997.
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