The Noble Pig is Business of the Year and Joshua Knaak of Arpa Investments is Business Person of the Year in the 2022 Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce and MNP LLP Business Excellence Awards.
The awards were handed out at a gala held on Oct. 27 at the Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Centre in Aberdeen.
Business excellence awards were handed out in 16 categories, with the Business of the Year Award going to one of the businesses nominated as finalists in the other 15 categories.
The 2022 gala also marked the first year of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Indigenous Business Excellence Award, with Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops-Lashed by Natalie taking home the trophy. While accepting her award, owner Natalie Wolfe spoke of the importance of representation.
Chamber executive director Acacia Pangilinan spoke of the extension area the chamber — which recently added “Kamloops and District” — covers.
“The Chamber exists to amplify the business community that we serve and I am thrilled to see representation from Sun Peaks, Kamloops and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc at tonight’s gala,” Pangilinan said. “I am overjoyed with tonight’s program and congratulate all the winners.”
Added MNP LLP partner Jessy Sra: “At MNP, we believe in supporting the communities where we live and work and being part of these awards over the years has been an incredible opportunity to support our community's local businesses. Every day we work with local entrepreneurs to help them realize their business dreams and it is exciting to see businesses being recognized for the great work they do in this community.”
Here is the complete list of winners at the 2022 Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce and MNP LLP Business Excellence Awards:
• FIT Financial Business of the Year Winner: The Noble Pig
• Abbott Wealth Management – Harbourfront Wealth Management Business Person of the Year Award Winner: Joshua Knaak, Arpa Investments
• City of Kamloops Community Service Award Winner: Blackwell Dairy Farm Inc.
• Andre’s Electronic Experts Retailer of the Year Award Winner: Tumbleweed Toys •
People in Motion Service Provider 1-10 Staff Award Winner: Vertical Café
• Kamloops This Week Service Provider 11+ Staff Award Winner: The Noble Pig Brewhouse
• Rocky Mountaineer Environmental Leadership Award Winner: Kamloops Food Policy Council
• CAPP Excellence in Trades Award Winner: Weymac Electric
• Open Door Group Inclusive Leadership Award Winner: Far + Wide
• BCLC Innovation Award Winner: We Are One Composites
• Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Indigenous Business Excellence Award Winner: Lash & Glow Bar Kamloops- Lashed by Natalie
• Surerus Murphy Joint Venture Not-For-Profit of the Year Award Winner: United Way British Columbia
• Community Futures Thompson Country Emerging Business of the Year Award Winner: Friendly Composting Inc.
• CFDC of CIFN Employer of the Year Award Winner: Abbott Wealth Management-Harbourfront Wealth Management
• Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner: Alexandra O’Daly, Aspect Film Works
• Venture Kamloops Small Business of the Year Award Winner: Maxwell Mechanical
Sponsors of the event:
• Premier sponsor: MNP LLP, Accounting Consulting & Tax
• Production: GK Sound •
Production Partner: Ray’s Lock & Key Service
• Experience partners: RBC, Scotiabank, Dearborn Ford, Futurpreneur
• Prizes: WestJet
• Recognition sponsor: CN
• Wine sponsor: Sagewood Winery
• Coat Check sponsor: Kelson Group-City Gardens
• Media Sponsors: CFJC-TV, 98.3 CIFM, B100, Castanet
