BC's best small businesses of 2015-16 to be announced at 13th Annual Small Business BC Awards Ceremony

VANCOUVER, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Between October 1 and November 30, 2015, Small Business BC, the province's premier resource centre for entrepreneurs, asked British Columbians to nominate and vote their favourite small businesses for the 13th Annual Small Business BC Awards.

On Thursday, February 25, 2016, British Columbia's top small businesses across 10 categories and winners of this year's Small Business BC Awards competition will be announced at the 13th Annual Small Business BC Awards Ceremony at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel.

"Small Business BC is delighted at the outpouring of support for this year's competition from the BC business community," says George Hunter, CEO at Small Business BC. "The participation of greater numbers of nominees from even more communities across the province will make for an entertaining and very high-spirited event. We're looking forward to announcing the Top 5 and celebrating not only the winners, but all entrepreneurs at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony."

This year marked the biggest year yet for the Small Business BC Awards competition with a total of 626 nominations and 535 total published nominees from 71 communities across British Columbia.

The businesses with the highest number of votes in each award category were announced as the Top 10 Semi-Finalists on December 11, 2015. The Top 5 Finalists will be announced on January 29, 2016 and invited to present a 10-minute pitch to the internal and external judges to prove themselves as BC's best.

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.

More details on the 13th Annual Small Business BC Awards Ceremony can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca. The public is invited to support these entrepreneurs at the upcoming event.

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

"I want to congratulate all of this year's Small Business BC Awards finalists and to thank you for showcasing the loyal communities that support your businesses. We're working hard to create a culture of entrepreneurship by ensuring small businesses have the tools they need to innovate and succeed." – Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch

"On behalf of Insurance Bureau of Canada and its members, I congratulate all those who were nominated for this year's Small Business BC Awards. IBC is proud to be a part of this marquee event, recognizing the hard work of the province's entrepreneurs who are the economic drivers of British Columbia's economy." – 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.

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]