At the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, we acknowledge that local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community groups dedicate their time to growing their businesses, creating jobs, innovating, building community, and making Fernie an excellent place to work, live and play.
Join us in celebrating the enduring strength and unity of individuals and local businesses.
This award recognizes an individual who lives and volunteers in the community, consistently gives back, and helps make Fernie a great place to live. The recipient demonstrates strong leadership and has resided in Fernie for at least two years.
The winner of this award will be announced at the 2026 Business Excellence Awards Ceremony.
2026 FINALISTS
Emily Brydon Youth Foundation
Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy
Columbia Basin Family Resource Society
Award recognizes a business established in the last two years that demonstrates innovation, strong growth, and excellent customer service while significantly enhancing the business landscape in the community. The business should also show commitment to community involvement and have a clear vision for future development and sustainability. The nominee may be a business that has opened a new location in town. However, it cannot be a franchise or an existing, established business that has undergone a change in ownership or management while continuing to provide substantially the same business or service.
Nominee must be a Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
2026 FINALISTS
Kamu Sauna
FULLCOURT Athletics
White Birch Cafe & Bistro
Award recognizes a business, organization, or individual(s) that has notably contributed to the success of Fernie’s tourism industry within areas of marketing, industry development/growth, product development, market development/growth, innovation, entrepreneurship or strategic business growth.
Nominee must be a Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
2026 FINALISTS
Fernie Fix
Stag Leap Running
Vince Mo Media
Award recognizes an individual employed in a for-profit business who has made significant contributions to its success, demonstrating exemplary business standards, ethics, innovation, leadership, and active community involvement. To be eligible for the award, the business person must have held a key position within the business for at least one year. The award winner does not necessarily have to be the business owner.
Nominee must be a Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
2026 FINALISTS
Jessica Riley & Laura Frost, Spa 901
Carolyn Doyle, Big Bang Bagels
Eldho Thankachan, Eldho’s Your Independent Grocer
Nominee must be a Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
2026 FINALISTS
Yamagoya Sushi
Polar Peak Books
The Quest Outdoor Sport Rental Ltd.
Nominee must be a Chamber of Commerce member in good standing.
2026 FINALISTS
Vogue Theatre
Big Bang Bagels
Eldho’s Your Independent Grocer
July 15 – August 24 General nominations open until Sunday, August 23 at 11:59 PM
August 26 – September 3 Nominees receive and complete their Nominee Form to be considered for award. (deadline is September 3 at 11:59 PM, Nominee Forms will not be accepted after this time)
August 26 – September 9 People’s Choice Award opens for public voting
September 9 – September 14 Judging process begins by a panel of local judges* for Awards Categories (exceptions: People’s Choice, Citizen of the Year and Chamber Legacy)
September 17 – October 12 Tickets on sale
September 19 Finalists announced
October 15 Fernie Business Excellence Awards Ceremony at Cirque Restaurant
*see Judging Process for details
We invite you to nominate the people and businesses who contribute to the strength of our community, those who inspire growth in the people and in Fernie.
Anyone can nominate a business or individual for any award they feel meets the criteria outlined on the online Nomination Survey.
All nominees from each category will be contacted once the nomination period closes and asked to complete a Nominee Form that will be used by the judges to determine the finalists and winners.
Businesses and organizations nominated in all categories will be on the ballot for the People’s Choice award that the public will vote on.
People’s Choice Award
Anyone can nominate a business or individual for any award they feel meets the criteria outlined on the online Nomination Survey.
All nominees from each category will be contacted once the nomination period closes and asked to complete a Nominee Form that will be used by the judges to determine the finalists and winners.
People’s Choice award: Businesses and organizations nominated in all categories will be on the ballot for People’s Choice award the that the public will vote on.
All nominations must meet the following criteria:
– Businesses must have a valid business license (where required).
– Businesses must be Fernie Chamber members in good standing.
– Individuals must be associated with a Fernie Chamber members.
– Located or doing business in the Fernie and Elk Valley region.
– Satisfy the award criteria.
– Provide permission to use their profile/company profile/photo/logo before, during and after the event.
– Business Awards are open to companies, organizations, enterprises, and not-for-profits within the Elk Valley.
– Only individuals will be accepted for the Businessperson of the Year and Citizen of the Year.
– Businesses or organizations must have been in operation for two (2) years with the exception of the New Business of the Year Award.
– Businesses, organizations, and individuals are eligible for nomination in a maximum of two (2) categories.
– For each award category, the winner cannot have won in the previous year. Individuals who won last year are not eligible to win again in the same category this year.
The following guidelines are used to maintain a balanced process, ensuring nominees receive a fair chance of becoming a finalist or recipient in their category.
1. A local judging panel is responsible for judging the awards categories:
– The Fernie Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards judging panel is composed of sponsors, past winners, community partners and Fernie Chamber of Commerce board of directors. This panel is responsible for nine (9) of the annual awards categories;
– The Chamber Business Legacy and The Citizen of the Year awards are determined by a judging panel comprised of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce board of directors;
– The People’s Choice award is determined by public vote.
2. The determination of finalists in each category (exceptions being: Citizen of the Year, Chamber Legacy and People’s Choice) is made solely by the Nominee Form submitted by the nominee.
3. In the case that a judging panel member encounters a conflict of interest, they will no longer be able to contribute to discussions related to that area of conflict.
4. In the case that a board member of the Chamber or a sponsor of the Business Excellence Awards receives a nomination, that company will be assessed fairly, without any favorable bias.
We believe this is a balanced process, ensuring nominees receive a fair chance of becoming a finalist or recipient in their category by local authentication.
Questions related to the judging process can be emailed to events@ferniechamber.com.
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