For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Richmond’s Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating the city’s businesses in-person.
The Richmond Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, now in their 44th year, will once again be an in-person gala event when they take place tonight (Nov. 25) at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel.
Last year’s awards took place virtually.
Dan Baxter, chamber president and CEO, said the event being in-person again is “a small recognition that things are slowly returning to normal.”
“Businesses of all sizes have shown great resiliency over the last 18 months, not just in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic but environmental challenges like the recent flooding and mudslide cutting off supply chains.”
This year, the chamber awards are celebrating the perseverance of Richmond’s businesses.
“Richmond business needs a night to celebrate and to be celebrated for all they have gone through and will go through on the road to recovery,” said Baxter, who is celebrating his first Business Excellence Awards since taking on his current role at the chamber.
“From the businesses who pivoted to keep their teams, to businesses that saw their usual business model completely upended, tonight’s finalists truly showcase the perseverance of the broader Richmond business community.
As with past years, this year’s business awards will be handed out in 10 categories: small business, mid-size and large business of the year, business leadership, innovative enterprise, green business, young entrepreneur, new business, outstanding workplace and association of the year.
The 2021 finalists in each category are:
Association of the Year
- Touchstone Family Association
- Richmond Multicultural Community Services
- Richmond Orchestra & Chorus Association
Outstanding Workplace of the Year
- Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
- Advantage Speech Language Pathology
- Symphony Hill Properties
New Business of the Year
- AB Coast Aviation Services
- Liv’EZ Co. (Live Easy)
- Canadian Ecosystem Institute
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- Dr. Romi Fung, Naturopathic Doctor
- Liv’EZ Co., Angel Lam (Live Easy)
- Promochrom Technologies, Ian Wan
Innovative Enterprise of the Year
- WJ Packaging
- Bright Ideas Events
- Broadway Sound and Stage Lighting Inc.
Business Leadership of the Year
- Herbaland Naturals
- Terra Nova Medical Clinic
- Advantage Speech Language Pathology
Green Business of the Year
- Hemlock Harling Distribution
- Electric Co
- WJ Packaging
Small Business of the Year
- Seafair Gourmet Meats Ltd
- Chatham Dental Centre
- Sher-E Punjab Radio AM 600
Mid-Size Business of the Year
- Promochrom Technologies
- Steveston Seafood House
- 505 Junk
Large Business of the Year
- Herbaland Naturals
- Layfield Group Ltd.
- Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd.
