Burnaby's top entrepreneurs were dressed in their finest attire Thursday night for the 15th annual Business Excellence Awards Gala.
Hosted by the Burnaby Board of Trade, the West Coast themed event held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown Hotel recognized organizations across nine categories.
Paladin Security took home the accolade for Business of the Year. The company launched in 1976 with only four employees and has since grown to one of the largest security companies in Canada.
Elsewhere, the Down Syndrome Research Foundation won both awards in the categories it was nominated for - winning the honours of Family Friendly Business and Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year.
"This is a testament to what we do in Burnaby, what we do for the families we support, with very frugal management of expenses and lots of fundraising," said executive director Dawn McKenna.
Electronic Arts was the recipient of the Burnaby Community Spirit Award, while SFU Ancillary Services received the Environmental Sustainability Award. BCjobs.ca got the nod for entrepreneurial spirit and Still Creek Press won the Business of the Year Award (up to 50 employees). Business Person of the Year went to Kazuko Komatsu of Pacific Western Brewing. The Business Innovation Award was handed out to Schneider Electric Canada. The evening closed with the induction of the Hart House into the Burnaby Business Hall of Fame.
The number of nominees this year was significantly higher than in the past, according to the board's president and CEO, something he credits to Burnaby's blooming business community.
"We had a really good mix of businesses who are known globally, businesses who some may not have heard of, and some businesses who maybe fly under the radar a little, but are doing some phenomenal innovative things," Paul Holden said.
Other highlights from the event included a video introduction by Mayor Derek Corrigan, with a cameo appearance by Michael Bublé.
