Business Excellence Awards

This business leader:

• Is the founder, owner, CEO, President, or senior executive of a business.
• Demonstrates outstanding leadership and a positive economic or social impact.
• Leads by example through community involvement and volunteerism.
• Has earned a reputation for integrity, leadership, and commitment to improving the community.

This business:

• Demonstrates strong leadership, innovation, and business excellence.
• Shows measurable growth, stability, and long-term success.
• Makes meaningful contributions to the community through corporate citizenship.
• Maintains a strong reputation and positive workplace culture.
• Actively supports and engages with the local business community.

Business must have operated for a minimum of two years.

This business:

• Demonstrates outstanding growth through innovation, expansion, or strategic planning.
• Has invested in its people, products, or services.
• Shows measurable growth over the past 12–24 months.
• Demonstrates long-term sustainability and future potential.

This business:

• Invests time, resources, or financial support into community initiatives.
• Demonstrates a strong culture of giving and community involvement.
• Makes a lasting positive impact on the quality of life in Kitimat.
• Is recognized for its commitment to community betterment.

Optional: Include one letter of support from a non-profit, community organization, sports association, or service agency that has benefited from the business.

Business must have been operating for less than 18 months.

This entrepreneur:

• Owns and actively operates the business.
• Has identified an innovative market, product, service, or opportunity.
• Demonstrates creativity, initiative, and calculated risk-taking.
• Has built a profitable business with strong future potential.

This home-based business:

• Operates within the Kitimat or Kitamaat area.
• Demonstrates professionalism and sound business practices.
• Provides excellent customer service.
• Is accessible and easy for customers to locate and contact.
• Successfully operates and grows from a home-based environment.

50+ employees

This business:

• Delivers exceptional products or services.
• Demonstrates innovation and continuous improvement.
• Invests in employee development and training.
• Provides outstanding customer service.
• Offers a unique value within its industry.

11 - 49 employees

This business:

• Delivers exceptional products or services.
• Demonstrates innovation and continuous improvement.
• Invests in employee development and training.
• Provides outstanding customer service.
• Offers a unique value within its industry.

1–10 employees

This business:

• Delivers exceptional products or services.
• Demonstrates innovation and continuous improvement.
• Invests in employee development and training.
• Provides outstanding customer service.
• Offers a unique value within its industry.

This organization:

• Has been incorporated as a society or charity for at least two years.
• Delivers significant benefits to the community.
• Demonstrates leadership, collaboration, and volunteerism.
• Builds strong partnerships with businesses, organizations, and community groups.
• Inspires others through its impact and service.

This trades business:

• Provides certified, high-quality trade services.
• Demonstrates excellence in workplace safety.
• Has earned a reputation for integrity and professionalism.
• Invests in continuous improvement and quality workmanship.
• Builds strong relationships with clients and employees.

Eligible trades include automotive, welding, plumbing, electrical, instrumentation, refrigeration, heavy mechanical, piping trades, power engineering, welding, and other recognized skilled trades.

Hospitality & Food and Beverage

This business:

• Delivers exceptional customer service.
• Creates positive employee and customer experiences.
• Demonstrates passion, professionalism, and integrity.
• Promotes Kitimat through outstanding hospitality.

This business:

• Provides an outstanding tourism product or visitor experience.
• Delivers exceptional customer service to visitors.
• Contributes to local tourism and economic growth.
• Positively promotes Kitimat as a destination.

This business:

• Consistently exceeds customer expectations.
• Demonstrates exceptional product or service knowledge.
• Goes above and beyond to create positive customer experiences.
• Has earned a reputation for outstanding service.

This entrepreneur:

• Has built a successful business through creativity and artistic talent.
• Effectively markets their products or services.
• Demonstrates innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Enriches the community through arts, culture, or creative experiences.

Will not be sent to round 1 judges. This one will be voted on by the community on the Chamber site

The People's Choice Award recognizes the business or not-for-profit that consistently delivers exceptional customer service and demonstrates an outstanding commitment to the Kitimat community.

The recipient is selected through a public vote from the eligible nominees.