The Whistler Chamber of Commerce has announced the list of finalists for the upcoming Whistler Excellence Awards, presented by Blueshore Financial, and exciting new details about the gala event.
“The Whistler Excellence Awards aren’t just a celebration of the winners, but a recognition of all the exceptional work and service from local businesses every day of the year. We couldn’t be more proud to stand behind Whistler businesses and shine a light on how they uplift the community through their work year-round,” stated Louise Walker, Whistler Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
The 2024 Finalists
Service Excellence: Small Business (up to 34 employees), presented by Reactive Design Inc.
- A Little Bud Whistler
- Alpine Café
- Pasta Lupino Gourmet Ltd.
Service Excellence: Large Business (35 or more employees), presented by Whistler Blackcomb
- Caramba Restaurant
- Forecast Coffee
- Sundial Hotel
Business Person of the Year Award, presented by BDO
- Doug MacFarlane (Whistler Blackcomb)
- Kaoru & Hidemi Ono (Senka Florist)
- Roger Soane (Whistler Sport Legacies)
Innovative Business of the Year, presented by Beedie Living
- Be Beauty Laser & Esthetics
- Blackcomb Façade Technology (Blackcomb Glass)
- Innovation Building Group
Rising Star of the Year, presented by the Hotel Association of Whistler
- Lisa Coulter (Whistler Community Services Society)
- Nicki McKeon (Wild Vedas)
- Sam Knox (Nita Lake Lodge)
Sustainability in Action Business, presented by Cascade Environmental Resource Group
- Naked Sprout Café and Eatery
- Re-Build-It Centre and Re-Use-It Centre
- Sea to Sky Sourdough BReD Inc.
Whistler Champion of Arts & Culture (Business/Organization), presented by Arts Whistler
- Laugh Out LIVE!
- The Point Artist-Run Centre
- Whistler Museum & Archives Society
Emerging Business of the Year, presented by Capilano University
- Alto Marketing and Management
- Barbex Cleaning
- Filthy Jordan’s Weekly Waste Removal
The Citizen of the Year, presented by Race & Company LLP
- Ashlie Girvan (100 Women Whistler)
- Carol Leacy (Whistler 360 Health)
- Charalyn Kriz (Mature Action Community)
Finalist Selection
The chamber said this past June, a call for nominations was made, and applications poured in from Whistler businesses, organizations, and individuals. Finalists for the Awards were then evaluated by a committee of past winners, with the Service Excellence Awards (Large and Small Business) being announced after the Chamber’s Secret Shopper Program was completed.
The Sundial Hotel and A Little Bud have earned top spots in the Chamber’s Secret Shopper program. The Secret Shopper program is a mystery shopping program run by the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, where unidentified individuals pose as real customers and evaluate customer service. The highest scorers from winter and summer automatically became finalists.
Winners in all categories will be announced at the October 17 Gala.