Tickets are selling well to Abbotsford's premier business event, but your opportunity to pick some up ends Nov. 12.
The 18th annual Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce's Business Excellence Awards are fast approaching, and according to event coordinator Carole Jorgensen, about 350 tickets have already been sold. She's confident the organization will reach its 500-plus goal by next week.
The event is always a popular draw in the business community, and the largest in the region, regularly attracting more than 500 people. This year's event will be held at Tradex on Nov. 20 and will recognize businesses and owners who stand out from the crowd in 11 categories. A total of 91 nominees have been listed.
The entertainment for this year is Vancouver's Drum Cafe, which is making a return to Abbotsford after a six-year absence. This high-energy group is Canada's premier interactive drumming company, and includes the audience in its shows by handing out small drums for each attendee.
"They're amazing," said Jorgensen. "It's energetic and fun."
Tickets are selling for $68 per person, or $520 (plus GST) for a table of eight. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event ends at 9:30 p.m. To purchase tickets call 604-859-9651.
Following is the list of the categories and nominees.
• Home Based Business Excellence (sponsored by RDM Lawyers LLP)
Go Mac
Heidi Turner, Writer
Securities Services
Theresa Chevalier Creative Services
Tina's Daycare
• Retailer Excellence (sponsored by Prospera Credit Union)
Abbotsford Paint & Decorating Centre Inc.
Champagne & Lace
Launch Menswear
Say it with Cake
Sherwin-Williams
Timemaster Jewellers Ltd.
Valley Sleep Centre & Furniture Gallery
• Manufacturing & Production Excellence (sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada)
Gesundheit Bakery Ltd.
Magnum Trailer & Equipment Inc.
Vanderpol's Eggs Ltd.
• Agricultural & Agri-Business Excellence (sponsored by TD Bank)
Commercial Banking
Abbotsford Farm & Country Market
Clearbrook Grain & Milling
Homestead Nursery/and
KPD Consulting Ltd. dba Manure Systems Inc.
Krahn Group
Willow View Farms
• Consumer Services Excellence (sponsored by Sevenoaks Shopping Centre)
Abby Locksmith Ltd.
BrainFood Group
Cameron Wilson-RBC Dominion Securities
Clearbrook Animal Hospital
Clearwest Solutions Inc.
Dance In Motion
Fraserglen Golf Course and Training Centre
Fusion Hair Design & Esthetics
Innovative Fitness
Jojo's Fish & Chips Bana Restaurant
Just About Pets Wei/ness Centre
Medora Dental Care
Mitch Miller's Canadian Grill
RDM Lawyers LLP
Ricardo's Pizza
Sunrise Toyota
The Scruffy Tail Pet Food & Supplies Ltd.
Vi-La Palace Vietnamese Restaurant
• Business Services Excellence (sponsored by Best Western Plus Regency Inn & Conference Centre)
Abbotsford Downtown Business Association
Ace Tank Services
Blancco Canada
FirstPage Marketing
Marcus Ortner-Personal Real Estate Corporation
Ocean Stationery & Office Supplies
• Eric Vanderham Young Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by The Rotary Clubs of Abbotsford)
Abbotsford Matsqui Rotary Club
Adi Desai
Cherri-Anne Williams
Sophia Suderman
Vik Moudgill
• Non-Profit Organization of the Year (sponsored by Baker Newby LLP)
Abbotsford Arts Council
Abbotsford Community Services
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley
Canuck Place Children's Hospice
FH Canada
Fraser Valley Child Development Centre
Mennonite Central Committee BC
MSA Museum Society
St. John Ambulance Abbotsford Branch
Talia 's Closet
The Reach Gallery Museum
The Salvation Army Centre of Hope
• New Business of the Year (sponsored by Tradex)
Badesha & Narang Notaries
Bosley's Pet Food Plus
Chantel Funk Design Inc.
Energy Tech Ventures
Jelly Marketing Inc.
Kealy Beverage Company Inc.
KP Fitness Studio
Megabulk Foods
Merle Norman Cosmetics & Day Spa
Mexico Sabroso
Parallel Yoga
Redemption Salon
Spruce Collective
Sunsera Salons
The Book Man
Twigz Creations
• Established Business of the Year (1-19 employees) (sponsored by KPMG Enterprise)
181 on the List Promotion Inc.
Barr Plastics Inc.
Cascadia Chiropractic Centre
Ears Hearing Clinic
Kosmetae Academy of Spa Aesthetics & Hair Design
Power Hydraulics Corp.
Re!Max Little Oak Realty
She's My Florist
The Goddess Movement
The Tent Guys Rentals Ltd.
Valhalla Pure Outfitters Abbotsford
• Established Business of the Year (20+ Employees) (sponsored by The Abbotsford News)
Columbia Cabinets Ltd.
Crystal Vision Hearing Centre
Vitalus Nutrition Inc.