This spring, the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce introduced a new way for members to participate more fully in chamber events: a tiered membership structure.
Members may participate at four different levels of support and participation. Early results have produced major sponsors for some high profile chamber events. We are pleased to welcome Diamond Sponsors for 2011: Island Savings for the 2011 Crystal Awards; The Smith Manoeuvre for the annual Golf Classic; Peninsula Co-op for Starry Night Dinner & Auction. At the Executive Sponsor level, Horizon Power will sponsor the Tour of Industry for mayors and councils.
Congratulations Island Savings Crystal Awards Finalists. It’s been another banner year for Saanich Peninsula business, judging from the calibre of 2011 Crystal Awards applications. The judging committee pored over a stack of applications that represented a diverse cross-section of Peninsula business success stories. The judging committee’s deliberations were rigorous and difficult.
The Peninsula Chamber is pleased to announce the Crystal Awards finalists for 2011 (listed in alphabetical order):
Business of the Year, 1 – 10 Employees
Finalists: Melinda’s Biscotti Company Inc.
Wendy L. Everson Law
Business of the Year, 11–30 Employees
Finalists: Beacon Law Centre
Truffles Catering
Business of the Year, 31+ Employees
Finalists: The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa
Sidney Senior Care
Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year,
Finalists: Mary Winspear Centre
Power to Be Adventure Therapy Society
Contribution to the Community
Finalists: Panorama Recreation Centre
Salon J Hair Studios
Environmental Responsiveness
Finalists: BC Hazmat Management Ltd.
Sidney Bottle Depot
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Finalists: 5252 Motorsports Ltd.
Melinda’s Biscotti Company Inc.
New Business
Finalists: Lolly Gobble Sweet Shop
Wendy L. Everson Law
Tourism Excellence
Finalists: Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
Oceanside RV Resort
Employer of the Year
Finalists: Deep Cove Market
The Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa
High Tech or Scientific Innovation
Finalists: Applied Bio-nomics Ltd.
Novaera Fuels Ltd.
Land-based Business of the Year
Finalists: Michell Brothers Farms
Smyth Market Gardens
Newsmaker of the Year (for 2010)
Finalists: Pronautic Custom Interiors
Victoria Costumes
This year, the Peninsula Chamber added a new dimension to the awards. The Business Hall of Fame will recognize long-term contributions to the business community by individual business people and civic officials. The chamber is pleased to announce the first inductee (posthumous) into the Business Hall of Fame: Jennie Butchart, founder of The Butchart Gardens.
The Peninsula Chamber gratefully acknowledges Island Savings support of this year’s Crystal Awards. Thanks and appreciation also go to the individual sponsors in each of the awards categories. Awards recipients will be announced at the Island Savings Crystal Awards Gala on April 13 at The Butchart Gardens. Dave Cowen, General Manager of the Butchart Gardens, is the guest speaker. The event is sold out.
All Candidates Meeting
The Peninsula Chamber, the Peninsula News Review and Mary Winspear Centre, with support provided by the Canadian Federation of University Women-Saanich Peninsula, will co-host an all candidates meeting, on Wednesday, April 20, at Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.
Federal candidates standing for election in the Saanich-Gulf Islands constituency will be in attendance. Stephen Andrew, A Vancouver Island News, will moderate the proceedings.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. the meeting will startpromptly at 7 p.m.
Eileen Leddy is executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at eleddy@peninsulachamber.ca.