Panorama Mountain Resort hosts a room full of winners!
October 20th, 2016: The 18th Annual Columbia Valley Chamber Business Excellence Awards was hosted for the first time ever at Panorama Mountain Resort and as always it was a sold-out event! Congratulations to the 77 finalists and the 13 winners! With the help of Inspire Floral Boutique the Panorama Mountain Resort team transformed the Great Hall into an elegant mountain chic banquet room. With over 190 guests the evening was an evening full of celebration and laughter. Starting with a wine tasting reception hosted by the College of the Rockies followed by a family style dinner prepared by Panorama’s culinary team and a variety of presentations before the awards and entertainment. College of the Rockies President David Walls shared the new vision and successes of the College including advising the audience that the CVCC advocacy for a 2-year fulltime hospitality program that will also address workforce shortages that tourism businesses experience in the busy seasons is currently being designed. Dee Conklin a member of the CVCC board and on the fund-raising committee for the CV Community Centre showed an inspiring video about the new centre scheduled to open in 2017. After the awards presentations Steve Paccagnan President and CEO of Panorama Mountain Resort generated several rounds of applause when he announced the January booking numbers for the resort and the crowd did not miss the economic impact of a sold out ski hill on the rest of the Valley’s economic outlook. The evening finished with the edgey comedic stylings of Lori Ferguson-Ford who filled the room with laughter.
But the reason we were all there was to celebrate business excellence in the Columbia Valley, handcrafted, unique pieces of art created by the Bavin Family were awarded to thirteen very deserving individuals. The selection committee didn’t have an easy task but they were able to select the following winners:
| Recipient | Award | Sponsor |
| Maxwell Realty Invermere | PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | Community Futures East Kootenay |
| Bighorn Meadows Resort | Tourism / Hospitality | Fairmont Hot Springs Resort |
| Black Forest Restaurant | Food and Beverage | Bighorn Meadows Resort |
| AG Valley Foods | Retailer of the Year | Rocky River Grill |
| Amped Up Electrical Service | Trade Services | Invermere Hardware and Building Supplies |
| Palliser Printing & Publishing Ltd. | Small Business Excellence | Fairmont Business Association |
| Fairmont Creek Property Rentals | Business Excellence 10+ | Green Andruschuk LLP |
| Christina Boucher | Employee of the Year | Fairmont Mountainside Vacation Villas |
| Hospice Society of The Columbia Valley | Not For Profit Organization | Columbia Valley Community Foundation |
| Leanne Tegart | Young Entrepreneur | College Of The Rockies |
| Michael Anderson | Business Leader | Ski Home Ltd. |
| Om Organics | New Business of the Year | Imagine Kootenay |
| Main Street Fun & Games | Family Friendly Business | Family Dynamix |
“It was a great evening and the CVCC Board of Directors congratulates all the nominees, finalists and recipients and we look forward to another strong year of business growth and success do to the excellent products and services provided by businesses and their employees throughout the valley.” Stated Chamber President Peter Smith.