86 Local Businesses in Vancouver Nominated for 13th Annual Small Business BC Awards

VANCOUVER, Nov. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Small Business BC, the province's premier resource centre for entrepreneurs, opened nominations and voting for the 13^th Annual Small Business BC Awards on October 1, 2015. Eighty-six small businesses in Vancouver have been nominated.

The Small Business BC Awards are the most visible awards program in BC for small business owners and entrepreneurs. A key part of the Awards' mission is to celebrate the contributions new and existing businesses registered in BC, with fewer than 50 employees, make to their local communities and the global economy.

"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." says George Hunter, CEO at Small Business BC. "I am delighted to see Vancouver's vibrant business community entering the Small Business BC Awards to be recognized for their achievements both locally and globally." 

Recipients of Small Business BC Awards will be recognized with the Premier's Prize in the amount of $1,500 cash. The winners will also be offered a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education resources and experts, and one-on-one business mentorship opportunities with notable advisors from award sponsors.

The contest is open for nominations and voting until November 30, 2015. The public is invited to nominate their favourite small businesses for a Small Business BC Award.

Nominated business owners will be tasked with gaining as many votes as possible through social media, word of mouth, e-mail or any other means possible by November 30, 2015.

The businesses with the highest number of votes in each award category will be announced as the Top 10 on December 11, 2015. These nominees will submit a detailed application that judges will use to determine the Top 5 finalists from each award category, announced on January 29, 2016. The Top 5 finalists will then be invited to present a 10-minute Dragons' Den-style pitch to the judges to prove themselves as one of BC's best.

The winners of each category will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony on February 25, 2016 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel.

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

Other Quotes

"Small businesses are the backbone of communities across BC. The Premier's People's Choice Award is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate a small business that goes the extra mile for its neighbours." – Premier Christy Clark.

"IBC is proud to once again be a part of the Small Business BC Awards. Small businesses are the economic drivers of our province and these awards recognize the hard-working and resourceful entrepreneurs in BC. On behalf of IBC, I wish all the skilled nominees good luck in this year's competition." – Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, IBC

Quick Facts

• Over 3,500 entrepreneurs have participated in the Small Business Awards since its inception
• There is a new award category for Best Apprentice Training sponsored by Industry Training Authority
• The Province of British Columbia and Premier Clark support for the Small Business BC Awards through the Premier's People's Choice Award, and the Premier's Prize of $1,500 cash given to each winner.
• The contest is free to enter to all new and existing small businesses in BC.

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.

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.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

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