Prince George's business community celebrated ten local leaders at Saturday's 2015 Business Excellence Awards.
"I think it is important to spend time recognizing those people and those businesses for the amazing work they do because they put their heart into it every single day," Christie Ray, CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event.
More than 350 people came out to the Saturday night affair that asked attendees to don dresses and suits inspired by mobster style of the 1920s.
The event wrapped up small business week, celebrated across Canada. Most of the chamber's members represent small and medium-sized businesses in Prince George, Ray said.
"The small business community really helps make up the culture of Prince George and of downtown and the entire community, really," Ray said.
"I think that there's a lot of people doing some innovative and great things and together it makes for a diverse businesses community and a very successful one."
That diversity was represented in the types of businesses it recognized.
Nancy O's Restaurant was named Business of the Year and UNBC Students Pave the Way campaign was recognized for Environmental Leadership.
One of the most touching moments happened when Reza Akbari, owner of Shiraz Cafe and Restaurant, stood up to accept business person of the year.
"Really it was just a heartfelt thank you to everybody in the room that helped make... his restaurant a success and to allow something that was a little bit different for Prince George and to welcome it with open arms," Ray recalled Sunday after the event.
Ray called Akbari an inspiration for coming to Prince George as an international student and building that business.
"He was very emotional and it was just moving to watch."
For the second year, the chamber also handed out a Hell Yeah Prince George Ambassador Award to recognize people doing positive work to promote the city. Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual was this year's winner, garnering the most votes from the Facebook page.
People really got involved with the theme, Ray said.
"There were a lot of fun games and activities that everyone participated in and really just made the event hopping," said Ray, adding the fun also makes for good relationship building.
"It does allow business people to network in a less formal setting and have some fun doing it really get to know people in another way and build those up those relationships."
This 2015 Business Excellence Award winners were:
Business of the Year -- Nancy O's
Restaurant
Business Person of the Year -- Reza Akbari - Shiraz Caf and Restaurant
Community Impact Award -- 2015 Canada Winter Games
Environmental Leadership -- UNBC Students Pave the Way
Service Excellence -- Speedee Your
Office Experts Ltd
Micro Business of the Year -- Livework Communications
Tourism Impact -- Northern BC Tourism Association
Entrepreneur of the Year -- Greg Pocock, Prince George Cougars
Outstanding Corporate Culture -- Integris Credit Union
Corporate Citizen of the Year -- Prince George Cougars
Hell Yeah Prince George Ambassador Award -- Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual
