2020 Creston Valley Business Awards Gala

Huge Thanks To Our Platinum Sponsors 

Thanks to Columbia Basin Trust for being a silver sponsor 

Question: When are the awards?

Answer: Saturday, Feb 15, 2020. Doors open at 5:30, with supper served at 6:30. Supper will be buffet style, and catered by the Wee Grill. As much as possible, all food will be locally sourced!

At 8 pm, the Awards Ceremony will proceed, hosted by Chamber VP, Brian Lawrence. DJ  will follow at 9 pm, with the evening finishing at 11pm. 

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Question: Where are they?

The Awards Gala will be located at the Creston Rec Centre in the Creston Room. 

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Question: How many awards will there be? What are the categories? 

Answer: Eleven, which is two more than last year. For category, and criteria for each award, please scroll to the bottom of this page. 

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Question: What businesses are eligible for the awards?

Answer: All businesses that are part of "The Creston Valley", within the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce boundary (Yahk up to Kuskanook) are eligible for all awards except the Chamber Business Excellence Award, which will be only given to a Chamber Member, and will only be voted on by Chamber Members through a special E-Mail ballot. 

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Question: How does a business get nominated for an award?

Answer: Any person can nominate any business by going to the Chamber of Commerce website (www.crestonvalleychamber.com) and filling out the online form.

Question: Who picks the final nominees for each award?

Answer: The people of Creston will choose the nominees through our online nomination process. The top three businesses in each category (by number of nominees) will be the finalists for each award.

Question: How will the winners be chosen?

​On February 15th, 2020, the night of the Gala, each person attending the Gala will be given a ballot to decide the winners of each award from the three finalists. Those votes will be counted by an independent third party, and the winners will be decided, and awarded, that night by those attending the Awards Gala. 

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In regards to the voting process, Chamber Manager, Vern Gorham, had this to say: "We trust the people of the Creston Valley in choosing who the winners of each award will be; after all, who would be more qualified to pick deserving recipients of each award, than the people of the Creston Valley?”

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Question: Can I Nominate More Than Once?

No. The online process only allows one vote per person. And, at the Business Awards Gala on Feb 15th, each person attending will only receive one ballot.

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Question: Where do I get Tickets to Attend? 

Answer: There are four ways to order tickets:

1) You can order online at the top of this page

2) Drop by the Chamber of Commerce at 121 NW Blvd during office hours (9-5 Mon and Wednesday, and 10-3 on Friday. Tuesday and Thursday have sporadic hours. Please call first.

3) Call us with your credit card during office hours, and we will reserve them for you: 250-428-5151

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Question: Can Anyone Attend? Or is it limited to Chamber of Commerce Members?

Answer: Everyone is welcome to attend. 

Question: How Much Are Tickets?

Answer: $35 per ticket, or $240 for a table of 8.

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Question: What Choices Do I Have For Supper?

Answer: Supper will be buffet style. There will be chicken, beef, and vegan options. Most items will also be gluten free aside from the dinner rolls. Please ask in advance if you have any dietary concerns.  

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Question: Are Their Opportunities to Support This Event?

Answer: Yes. If you would like to partner with us, or sponsor any part of the event, please contact us. 

Question: What About the Silent Auction?

Answer: For those who wish to donate to the silent auction, we welcome your support. If you donate a good or service that is worth more than $100, you will receive one free ticket to the Gala.

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Question: I have a question that hasn't been answered here. What do I do?

Answer: Call us at 250-428-5151, or email 

Question: What are the categories for the awards?

1.      Business Excellence – An award for a Chamber Member voted on by Chamber members (the only award exclusive to Chamber Members; the remainder are inclusive of all business located in the Creston Valley, with the boundaries of the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce)

2.      Hospitality and Tourism

3.      Arts and Culture

4.      Trades and Services

5.      Customer Service

6.      Professional Services

7.      Non-Profit of the Year

8.      Employer of the Year

9.      Real Estate Agent of the Year (new for 2020)

10.  Home Based Business of the Year (new for 2020)

11.  Agricultural Business of the Year (new for 2020)

Criteria For Business Awards.

Best In Customer Service – A retail business that provides its customers with a consistent excellence in service that goes beyond customer expectations. It also encourages its staff to meet the changing customer needs and stands behind its product or service with minimum customer inconvenience.

Best in Professional Services – This accredited business must exemplify professionalism, and integrity. This category is limited to the professional company, not the individual employee or contractor.

Best in Hospitality and Tourism - This business has demonstrated a superior ability to satisfy visitor’s expectations through their services and/or products.  This business provides and promotes an outstanding visitor experience and actively encourages the growth of the Creston Valley 

Best in Trades and Service – Awarded to a Trade and Service business that has demonstrated superior quality in all aspects of business operation, and shows a commitment to the community through its involvement.

Best in Arts and Culture – This award will be presented to the individual, organization or business that has demonstrated sustained support of arts, culture and heritage during the past year.

Non-Profit of the Year - A not-for-profit organization that has recognized a need within our community, and who through community responsibility, innovation, growth, sound business practices and community partnerships has served our community with vision and integrity.

Employer of the Year - A business owner or manager who creates a positive, fair and supportive environment for all employees, while maintaining and even exceeding employment standards and safety policies. This employer models integrity and excellent communication skills. 
(Nominations should be accompanied by your comments as to why this employer deserves this award)

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Real estate agent - High principles of integrity, Great support for civic and/or service and/or charitable activities, excellence in sales/marketing

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Home Based Business of the Year - Business should demonstrate good business practice and have been in business for at least three years. Business should be easy to contact and offers excellent customer service. Business should be easy to locate and accessible to local traffic. Business strives to improve the climate of home based businesses

Agricultural Business of the Year- The Agricultural Producer Excellence Award is presented to a farming or food processing business that has distinguished itself and shown leadership by promoting the betterment of agriculture and food production in our community. 

Chamber Business Excellence - A business that has been in operation for more than 2 years and has consistently offered outstanding service and/or product to its customers and displays a strong commitment to community involvement. A business that contributes to the social, recreational, cultural, and overall well-being of the community.

(Only Chamber Members Can Vote on This Award Through A Special Email Ballot)

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