On Friday October 23, nearly 150 people filled the Clubhouse restaurant at the Fernie Golf and Country Club to celebrate the Community and Business Excellence Awards. The evening started with welcomes from MP Elect Wayne Stetski, MLA Minister Bill Bennett, Mayor Mary Giuliano and
Chamber Board President Sheila Byers.
Derrick Emsely, CEO and co-founder of tentree apparel, shared his story with the crowd on being authentic and an agent for change. The Clubhouse prepared and excellent meal and the crowd was entertained by the band Wild Honey before and after the presentations.
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Community and Business Excellence Awards
Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by the City of Fernie
Rick Ganter
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by the Free Press
Kevin McIsaac
Spirit of Fernie – Sponsored by Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge
Emily Brydon Youth Foundation
Community Tourism Achievement – Sponsored by Tourism Fernie
Spa 901
Outstanding Customer Service – Sponsored by Fernie Alpine Resort
Healing Hollow
New Business of the Year – Sponsored by Majic, Purdy Law Corporation
The Chopstick Truck
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Community Futures East Kootenay
Nourish Through Nature
Employee of the Year – Sponsored by EK Employment and Work BC
Deanne Milley, Evolution Health and Fitness
Employer of the Year – Sponsored by College of the Rockies
Super 8 Fernie
Fernie Business of the Year – Sponsored by Telus
Super 8 Fernie
Chamber Business Excellence – Sponsored by Fernie Chamber of Commerce
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
People’s Choice Award – Sponsored by Park Place Lodge
Three Sisters Day Spa
Chamber Legacy Award – Sponsored by Fernie Chamber of Commerce
Ingrid Sombrowski
Business Leadership Award – Sponsored by Finning
Claris Media
The Chamber of Commerce thanks the many businesses and individuals who help organize and sponsor these awards. Including Telus, ISL Engineering, BC Hydro, Super 8 Fernie, Fernie Brewing Company, Western Financial Group, Fernie Fix, Freshies, The Bridge Bistro, White Ladder Painting, Fernie Home Hardware Building Center, Ann’s Independent Grocer, Fernie Ford, Lilac Media, 6:8 Photography and Clawhammer Press.
The Fernie Chamber of Commerce represents over 260 business in Fernie and the Elk Valley. Its mission is to strengthen commerce in the Fernie area and is guided by principles of membership, integrity, bestpractices, business excellence, and non-partisanship. The Fernie Chamber of Commerce is “The Voice of Business in Fernie.”