Earlier this month, we were delighted and honoured to take part in the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards. The BBEAs are an award initiative of the Burnaby Board of Trade and the City of Burnaby. The awards honour and celebrate businesses, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations for their contributions to the local economy and community.
The Burnaby Business Excellence Awards
Now in its 20th year, the BBEAs represent the highest business honour in Burnaby. The BBEA events culminate in the annual awards gala, which is one of the top business events in the city.
Tippet-Richardson received nominations for the following awards:
Burnaby Community Spirit – For a business having demonstrated outstanding commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and for the strong support of local service agencies and Not-For-Profit organizations.
Business of the Year (up to 50 employees) – For a Burnaby business employing up to 50 people which has made an outstanding contribution in the combined areas of business success, innovation and community service.
The Businesses
Both at the finalists’ luncheon and at the awards gala itself, we found we were in excellent company, as you’ll see from the list of finalists in each award category for the 2019 Burnaby Business Excellence Awards:
Business of the Year
- Gateway Casinos & Entertainment
- HUB International Insurance Brokers
- Para Space Landscaping
- PerfectMind
Business of the Year (up to 50 Employees)
- Centaur Products
- Integra Eyecare Centre
- Me-n-Ed’s Pizza Parlors Burnaby
- Royal Treatment Therapeutics
- Tippet-Richardson
Business Innovation
- Adele-Rae Florists
- Luongo Electric
- Nu Stream Realty
- Stantec Consulting
- Trainwest Management and Consulting
Healthy Workplace
- Acme Fire and Safety Co.
- Gateway Casinos & Entertainment
- Para Space Landscaping
- Park Insurance
- PerfectMind
Not for Profit Organization of the Year
- Burnaby Arts Council
- Dixon Transition Society
- Pacific Post Partum Support Society
- Progressive Housing Society
Environmental Sustainability
- BumperNow Plastic Welding
- The City of Lougheed (Lougheed Town Centre)
- Hemlock Printers
- Ricky’s Group of Family- Style Restaurants
- Simon Fraser University: Meeting, Event, and Conference Services
- Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery (SPUD.ca)
- Vancity Credit Union
Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Adele-Rae-Florists
- Inside Edge Hockey Training
- Nu-Stream Realty
- Traction on Demand
- VEER Business Advisors
Business Person of the Year
- Dr. Rehana Kassam and Dr. Rozina Budhawni, Back to Wellness Centre
- Dr. Henry Reis, Integra Eyecare Centre
- Wells Peng, Nu Stream Realty
- Leza Muir, Pacific Blue Cross
- Farid Dordar, Perfect Mind
- Rosanna Ferraro, Salon Glam
- Jenny Wun, West One Real Estate Marketing
Community Spirit
- Cockney Kings Fish & Chips
- Salon Glam
- Silver Bullet Shredding
- Tippet-Richardson
- Traction on Demand
The Gala
A highlight for us all was the musical performance and sing-a-long from Mayor Mike Hurley, himself. Then followed by some very touching and heartfelt speeches from award winners. Everyone we heard from has clearly invested time, energy, heart and soul into not only their business but into the community as a whole.
The Hilton Metrotown
The annual awards gala culminated in the induction of the Hilton Metrotown into the Burnaby Business Hall of Fame. More on that here from Burnaby Now:
The “iconic” Hilton Vancouver Metrotown has been named this year’s inductee to the Burnaby Business Hall of Fame.
The hall of fame is a joint recognition by the Burnaby Board of Trade and the City of Burnaby. Every year, the city and the board of trade name one “widely recognized Burnaby-based business that has demonstrated outstanding business success over many years and has had a positive and significant impact on the community.”
The Hilton in Metrotown first opened its doors on Nov. 3, 1999, making it the second Hilton location to open in the province.
“The Hilton is emblematic of a hotel that combines those rare qualities of hospitality and top notch service, delivered with a great deal of warmth. It provides a real sense of being a home away from home for travelers as well as the community,” said BBoT CEO Paul Holden in a statement.
“The Hilton Vancouver Metrotown’s exemplary commitment to community, as well, has made it in many ways the heart of our business community.”
Since its opening, the hotel has received several awards, including best hotel in Burnaby, best sales team and the “Connie” award, an internal corporate award for Hilton properties with high levels of guest satisfaction.
A board of trade news release said the hotel has, in its 20 years of service, “built a reputation as a hotel whose service exudes warmth, hospitality and professionalism, as well as an extraordinary commitment to community.”
Burnaby Board of Trade
The Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) is the city’s most active networking, advocacy and economic development organization, bringing together over 1000 local businesses and entrepreneurs to work at ‘making business better’. The Burnaby Board of Trade takes pride in being the champion for business by providing resources, connections and by advocating on behalf of their interests with all levels of government. They know firsthand that when business works together, we are all stronger and our efforts are more impactful.
Here are a few photos from the events, courtesy of Burnaby Board of Trade photographers: Tiffany Cooper & Cameron Bowman.
