In recognition of family-owned businesses on Vancouver Island, the local chapter of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise is accepting nominations for its 2016 Family Enterprise of the Year Award.
The annual award by CAFE was started in an effort to honour, celebrate and promote the achievements and contributions of Canadian family businesses. CAFE is CanadaB次元官网网址檚 only national not-for-profit that celebrates and supports family business.
Past Vancouver Island recipients include Country Grocer, Accent Inns, McCall Brothers Funeral Directors, Capital Iron, the Canada Homestay Network, Pacific Sands Resort, RobinsonB次元官网网址檚 Outdoor Store and Monk Office.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 extremely important to recognize the contributions family businesses make to the economy,B次元官网网址� said managing director Bernadine Rudichuk, B次元官网网址渁nd the best way we find of doing that is to honour someone locally who has done well as a family business.B次元官网网址�
Rudichuk said CAFE places importance on family businesses because they support the local economy through job creation and often give back to their communities.
B次元官网网址淰ancouver Island has a very high percentage of family businesses, and many of them have been around for many generations,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e appreciate the fact that not only do they contribute to the economy, but they provide employment and theyB次元官网网址檙e local. ItB次元官网网址檚 always a great feeling to support local businesses.B次元官网网址�
Additionally, the recipients of the local awards from CAFEB次元官网网址檚 11 chapters will be entered to win the national Family Enterprise of the Year Award. In 2014, VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Capital Iron won the national award, making them the first Vancouver Island recipient of the accolade.
B次元官网网址淚t was amazing B次元官网网址� it was the first time itB次元官网网址檚 happened for us,B次元官网网址� said Rudichuk. B次元官网网址淚t was just great.B次元官网网址�
Nominations are being accepted until Dec. 15, with the Vancouver Island celebration gala taking place on Feb. 11 at the Victoria Golf Club. Residents can nominate eligible businesses that they feel are worthy of recognition in their community.
Eligible businesses must be family owned, defined by several criteria, including ownership or operation by different generations of a family, potential ownership to be passed on to a younger generation, more than one family member with active employment, and a head office located in Canada.
Nominations are being accepted until Dec. 15, with the Vancouver Island celebration gala taking place on Feb. 11 at the Victoria Golf Club. Residents can nominate eligible businesses that they feel are worthy of recognition in their community.
To nominate a family business (self-nominations are welcome) or for more details on the nomination process, visit cafecanada.ca/chapters/vancouver-island and fill out the form, or contact Rudichuk at 250-532-2402 or email vancouverisland@cafecanada.ca.
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