Community & Business Excellence Awards

How to Get involved

Award Nominations

Now’s your chance to recognize the businesses, leaders, and organizations that make Smithers & the Bulkley Valley shine! Let’s celebrate their hard work and dedication! Your vote helps highlight those who go above and beyond to support our community.

***Nominations have now closed***

Vote

Chamber Members we ask you to help us recognize the businesses that are outstanding in the community by voting.

Chamber Members check your inbox for details about how to vote, or reach out to us at info@smitherschamber.com for more information.

***Watch for 2026 Voting Opportunities***

Reserve your Spot

Join us for an unforgettable evening dedicated to celebrating the people, businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations, and community leaders who help make the Bulkley Valley such a vibrant and resilient place to live, work, and grow.

More than just a gala, the Community & Business Excellence Awards is the Chamber’s only annual fundraiser and plays an important role in supporting the year-round advocacy, business support, community development, events, and economic initiatives happening behind the scenes to strengthen our local economy.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge | 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Guests can expect a vibrant evening filled with celebration, storytelling, networking, community pride, live entertainment, and recognition of local excellence across multiple award categories.

If you are a chamber member *Call/email for the Online Member Discount Code.

Purchase your tickets now!

Want to see the Full 2025 Nomination List ??

2025 Nomination List

Previous CBEA Winners

Business of the Year- Sponsored by Doane Grant Thornton: WINNER – Bulkey Valley Credit Union

Business Person of the Year- Sponsored by Edmison Mehr: WINNER – Avi Ranjan, Smithers Lumber Yard
Citizen Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by RBC Smithers: Stacy Dupuis
Customer Service Excellence – Business – Sponsored by Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge: Smithers Home Hardware
Customer Service Excellence – Individual- Salvation Army – Leona McEwen, Nature’s Pantry
Excellence in Education- Sponsored by Nature Pantry; Derek Willmott, Heartwood, Climb High,EdGE Learning Centre, and Smithers Secondary
Family Friendly Business of the Year- Sponsored By Bulkley Valley Credit Union: Bulkley Valley Regional Pool and Recreation Centre
Home Based Business of the Year- Sponsored by Smithers Lumber: Bulrushes and Blooms Floral Studio
Major Contributor to the Arts and Culture- Sponsored by Scotiabank: Camus Photography
Public Service Excellence- Sponsored By Aspen Motor Inn: Northern Society for Domestic Peace
Tourism Excellence Award- Sponsored by Tourism Smithers: Runway Cafe & Bar
Young Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored By Bulkley Valley Credit Union: Mahi & Nadia Louise’s Kitchen
Zero Waste Circular Economy Business of the Year- Sponsored by Bulkley Valley Wholesale: Replay Outdoors
Resource and Mining Excellence – Sponsored by Rugged edge Holdings: Seabridge Gold David Mckenzie Community Champion Award- Sponsored by Rotary Smithers: Glen Greene
Telkwa Business Leadership- Sponsored by Village of Telkwa: Michelle Finch, MTB Lures
Best Residential Development – Sponsored by Town of Smithers: 3037 Meadow Place – Carey Cholwezi Pott
Best Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Development – Sponsored by Town of Smithers: 2941 and 2949 19^th Ave – Treeline Wood Products (2014) LTD / DKG Ventures Ltd – Owned by Dan and Kelly Groot
Best Mixed-Use Development – Sponsored by Town of Smithers: 3860 Third Ave – Monstra Holdings Ltd

Business of the Year – Sponsored by Interior News	Riverside Kitchen
Business Person of the Year – Sponsored by Edmison Mehr Chartered Professional Accountants	Peter & Jill Krause, McBike & Sport
Citizen/Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by RBC Smithers	Mark deHoog
Customer Service Excellence- Business Sponsored by Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge	Smithers Feed Store
Customer Service Excellence- Individual Sponsored By Smithers Toyota	Wilfred Dykstra, Smithers Lumber Yard Ltd.
Excellence In Education – Sponsored by Nature’s Pantry	Heather Lee, Smithers Secondary School
Family Friendly Business of the Year – Sponsored by Bulkley Valley Credit Union	Dan’s Sports
Home-Based Business of the Year – Sponsored by Smithers Lumber Yard	Rustica Bakery
Major Contributor to Arts & Culture – Sponsored by Scotiabank	Smithers Community Radio Lounge Car Sessions, CICK
Public Service Excellence – Sponsored by Aspen Inn & Suites	Northern Lights Wildlife Society
Tourism Excellence – Sponsored by Tourism Smithers	B & T Adventures
Young Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsered by Bulkley Valley Credit Union	TJ Perrier, OK Tire
Zero Waste Circular Economy Business of the Year – Sponsored by Riverside Kitchen	Nature’s Pantry
Resource and Mining Excellence Award – Sponsored by Rugged Edge Holdings	Smithers Exploration Group
Resource, Mining & Exploration Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by Newmont	Harvey Tremblay
Community Impact Legacy Award – Sponsored by Smithers District Chamber of Commerce	Violet Marie Gellenbeck

Business of the Year- Sponsored by Interior News	Foodie Heaven
Business Person of the Year- Sponsored by Edmison Mehr	Ryan Hinds, Silver King Helicopters
Citizen Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by RBC Smithers	Brandy Hughes
Customer Service Excellence – Business – Sponsored by Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge	Freelance Automotive
Customer Service Excellence – Individual- Salvation Army	Avi Ranjan, Panago
Excellence in Education- Sponsored by Nature Pantry	Brennan Anderson, Telkwa Elementary School
Family Friendly Business of the Year- Sponsored By Bulkley Valley Credit Union	Smokescreen Graphics & Embroidery
Home Based Business of the Year- Sponsored by Smithers Lumber	Riverside Kitchen
Major Contributor to the Arts and Culture- Sponsored by Scotiabank	Smithers Art Gallery
Public Service Excellence- Sponsored By Aspen Motor Inn	BC Wildfire
Tourism Excellence Award- Sponsored by Tourism Smither	Hudson Bay Mountain Resort
Young Entrepreneur of the Year- Sponsored By Bulkley Valley Credit Union	Shannon West, Steller Jay Coffee Ltd.
Zero Waste Circular Economy Business of the Year- Sponsored by Rejar Zero Waste	Out of Hand
David Mckenzie Community Champion Award- Sponsored by Interior News	Carnan Graf
Telkwa Business Leadership- Sponsored by Village of Telkwa	Ridgeline Physiotherapy
Best Residential Project- Sponsored by Town of Smithers	Slopeside, Wade Lubbers
Best Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Project- Sponsored by Town of Smithers	Ski-Hi Industrial Site, Daniel Groot
Best Mixed-Use Project- Sponsored by Town of Smithers	3895 Fourth Avenue, Lloyd Tran

Business of the Year	Natures Pantry
Business Person of the Year	Emilie Schmidt, Rejar Zero Waste
Citizen Volunteer of the Year	Lauren Williams
Customer Service Excellence – Business	Smithers Feed Store
Customer Service Excellence – Individual	Austin Motz, Smithers Home Hardware
Excellence in Education	Jordan Daviel
Family Friendly Business of the Year	Roi Theatre
Home Based Business of the Year	Nadine Husiman, Bloom Esthetics Boutique
Major Contributor to the Arts and Culture	Kira Westby, Bulkley Valley Museum
Public Service Excellence	Smithers Skate Board Park Society
Tourism Excellence Award	Cycle 16 Society
Young Entrepreneur of the Year	Martin Rozario, Foodie Heaven
Zero Waste Circular Economy Business of the Year	Bulkley Valley Hive & Honey

Business of the Year	Smithers Brewing Company
Business Person of the Year	Meg Roberts, Rustica Wood Fired Bakery
Citizen Volunteer of the Year	Inderjit Grewal
Customer Service Excellence – Business	heartstrings Home Decor
Customer Service Excellence – Individual	Deborah Townsend, Smithers Brewing Company
Excellence in Education	Inderjit Grewal, Smithers Secondary School
Family Friendly Business of the Year	Smithers Bowl
Home Based Business of the Year	Bulkley Valley Hive & Honey
Major Contributor to the Arts and Culture	Raven Tacuara Arts Collective
Public Service Excellence	BV Distric Hospital/ Narth Health Care Workers
Tourism Excellence Award	Camus Photography
Young Entrepreneur of the Year	Olivia Hunter, Olivia’s Cafe
Zero Waste Circular Economy Business of the Year	Riverside Kitchen

Business of the Year	Smithers Feed Store
Business Person of the Year	Scott Olesiuk, Glacier Toyota
Citizen Volunteer of the Year	Luke Smith
Customer Service Excellence – Business	Heartstrings Home Décor
Customer Service Excellence – Individual	Mary Ann Miller, Smithers Home Hardware
Excellence in Education	Perry Rath
Family Friendly Business of the Year	UFO (Ukrainian Food Owesome)
Home Based Business of the Year	Chef Brandi (Riverside Kitchen
Major Contributor to the Arts and Culture	CICK Radio
Public Service Excellence	Salvation Army Food Bank
Tourism Excellence Award	Oscar’s Fly & Tackle
Young Entrepreneur of the Year	Emilie Schmidt, ReJar Zero Waste
Zero Waste Circular Economy Business of the Year	ReJar Zero Waste