While the 2024 Business Excellence Awards are still a few months away, the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce has released the list of nominees, which includes more than 75 local businesses and professionals.
The nominees span 10 different categories celebrating everything from environmentalism to non-profits and beyond. There are also three new categories this year for Micro Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, and Environmental Leadership.
Executive director Kristi Maier explained that the list was revealed at the chamber’s recent holiday party, which she said had more than 100 attendees.
“This year we wanted to make it more of a fun networking event,” said Maier.
The chamber even held a gingerbread-making event and handed out certificates to every BEA nominee who attended.
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The 2024 BEA nominee list includes:
Micro Business of the Year – Lizziebear Hugs and Hair Care, Oak and Ivory Collective, Grace Dignified Women’s Clothing, TMB Business Management Ltd., Midtown Skin Studio, 7 True Coffee, Buttons and Bows, Coco Nails, Capture Photography Studio, Lash Freak, Fraser Medical Aesthetics, Gina’s Sandwich and Coffee, Alina Cafe and Eatery, HyperStealth Biotechnology Corp., and One for the Road Mobile Bar
Small Business of the Year – Maple Washing, Vanilla Bean Bake Shop, Taco Fan, LAWHUB, Center Point Massage Therapy, Capri Italian Bakery, Foamers’ Folly Brewing Co., Kanaka Creek Coffee, Iron Butcher, and MacDonald Meechan Notaries
Medium Business of the Year – Pacific Star Electric, Amsterdam Garden Centre, Macdonald Realty, Roots Natural Organic Foods, and Delta Kayaks Ltd.
Large Business of the Year – Waypoint Insurance, Kingfisher’s Waterfront Bar and Grill, Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club, Hopcott Farms, Little Willows Early Learning Childcare, Pitt Meadows Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Ltd., Sammy J’s Bar and Grill, E-One Moli/Molicel, MNP LLP, Supreme Structural Transport Ltd., Barricades and Signs, and Enermax Mountain Manufacturing Ltd.
New Business of the Year – Picasso Bakery, Lizziebear Hugs and Hair Care, Caffe Delish, Steve’s Poke, and Bruce’s Pet and Farm Supply
Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Nick White (ATA Maple Ridge), Amanda Griffin (Maple Washing), Taylor Livesey (Vanilla Bean Bake Shop), Lucy Koenig Meechan (MacDonald Meechan Notaries), Kyla Aiken (Empowered By Nature), and Jeffrey Cawker (Empire CPA)
Environmental Leadership Award – Maple Ridge Climate Hub, Haney Bottle Depot, Maple Ridge New and Used Building Materials, Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, Advanced Self Storage, and Fraser Plastics Ltd.
Non-Profit of the Year – Fraser North Farmers Market, Pathfinders Youth Centre Society, PosAbilities, Meadowridge School, Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation, Maple Ridge Community Foundation, and Ridge Meadows Community Services
Ridge Meadows Community Spirit Award – Kim Dumore (School District 42), Sandra Taylor (Westgate Flower Garden), Kevin Nosworthy (Maple Ridge Community Foundation and APG Benefits), Thais Aratangy (Canadian Mental Health Association), Michael Morris (Work BC)m Hedi Einhorn (Coast Capital), Ariane Jaschke (Capture Studio), Cheri Hamm (The Place to Mortgage), Jessica Saial (The Nut Coffee Shop), Noami Corr (Town and Country Vintage Home), and Lucy Meechan (MacDonald Meechen Notaries)
Business Leader of the Year – Ernie Daykin (Maple Ridge Community Foundation), Nikita Lafleur (Carter Litigation), Teri Holland (Teri Holland Co.), Rayne Beveridge (Yellow House Farm and Sunflower Cafe), and Frank So (E-One Moli/Molicel)
“It’s great to have even five nominees per category, but having 8 to 10 in each category is absolutely insane,” said Maier.
The chamber staff are deep in the middle of their planning for the upcoming BEA gala, explained Maier.
“Last year, with Dara [Buker] and I only starting in October, we didn’t have a ton of time to get everything ready,” she said.
Currently, the staff is preparing the nominee packages and sending them to the voting committee.
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Maier said she’s especially excited for the awards gala in March, and shared that she’s expecting quite the turnout.
“I’m anticipating this year to surpass last year’s event,” said Maier. “Last year, we had about 220 people, and this year, we’re expecting around 300.”
While many of the gala details are still under wraps, Maier did reveal that the event will have a space theme, which she hopes will be a big hit.
“We’re putting everything into this to make it as special as possible.”
Anyone interested in sponsoring the BEA gala can submit inquiries to kristi@ridgemeadowschamber.com.
Tickets to attend the awards show and dinner are $140 for chamber members and $160 for non-members and can be purchased at www.business.ridgemeadowschamber.com/events.
The 2024 BEA gala will take place on Saturday, March 9, at the Albion Community Centre.