British Columbia - The 2015 Small Business BC Awards opened for nominations on October 1, 2014 attracting more than 307 British Columbia-based small businesses who have been nominated so far.

Among the nominees are three local businesses in Courtenay - My Tech Guys Inc., nominated for Best Community Impact, Manatee Holdings Ltd., nominated for Best International Trade, and The Guerrilla Food Company, nominated for Premier’s People’s Choice.

Since its inception in 2003, the annual Small Business BC Awards have become one of the largest and most widely-recognized contests in British Columbia. Last year, 470 local small businesses were nominated, from 55 communities, across the province.

The awards acknowledge the contribution that over 400,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs in our province make to their local communities and the global economy. After all, 98 percent of businesses in BC are small businesses, responsible for $14.4 billion of the province’s exported goods and services, and Vancouver Island is home to about 70,300 of them.

Nominations and voting for will remain open until November 30, 2014. Businesses can enter the competition through self- or third-party nomination in one of ten categories:

Best Company
Best Workplace
Best Concept
Best International Trade
Best Employer
Premier’s People’s Choice
Best Online Marketer
Best Community Impact
*Best Immigrant Entrepreneur
*Best Emerging Entrepreneur
*This year’s new award categories

To prove that they are truly among the best in BC, nominated companies must gain as many votes as possible. Top 10 finalists will then submit an extended application to narrow down the competition.

The Top 5 will then face a Dragon’s Den-style panel of judges to pitch why they should be named the best in BC. Winners will receive the Premier’s Prize of $1,500 cash, a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education and resources, and one-on-one business mentorship opportunities with notable advisors from the award sponsors.

The public is encouraged to nominate and vote for their favourite small businesses, between October 1 and November 30, for a Small Business BC Award.

More details on the Small Business BC Awards and nominees can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca

Quick Facts

- This year, Small Business BC introduced two new award categories for Best Emerging Entrepreneur and Best Immigrant Entrepreneur.
- 210 companies in BC were nominated during the first month of the contest.
- Over 2,600 entrepreneurs have participated in this province-wide awards competition.
- Small Business BC is pleased to have the support of the BC Government and Premier Christy Clark for the second year through the Premier’s People’s Choice Award, and the Premier’s Prize of $1,500 cash given to each of the award category winners.
- The contest is free to enter to all new and existing small businesses in BC.

Quotes

“Small Business BC takes great pride in celebrating entrepreneurs and helping them to become more successful. While individually small, these businesses have a big reputation across Canada and around the world. I am delighted to see Courtenay’s vibrant business community entering the Small Business BC Awards to be recognized for their achievements and impacts both locally and globally." - George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC

“It is encouraging to see so many nominations for the Small Business BC Awards already. With almost a month left to submit nominations, we encourage everyone to get involved and support small businesses in their area. Small businesses are key economic drivers in British Columbia and across the country, which is why IBC has been proud to support this event for the past six years.” - Bill Adams, VP, Western and Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada

About Small Business BC

Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.

To view press releases and other information, visit Small Business BC’s website at www.smallbusinessbc.ca . Follow SBBC on Twitter @smallbusinessbc or like us on Facebook

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The private P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes and levies to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $48 billion.

Media Contact:
Mark Blendheim
Communications Manager, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607 | Cell: 604-339-4759
[email protected]