View Last Year's Winners and finalists
Take a look at this year's Individual Awards Categories, and Criteria in detail below.
Business Person of the Year, presented by BDO
Description
This Whistler business person has had a major impact on the landscape of the local business community. They are an exemplary leader, and exhibit vision and passion. They have an innovative brand and they continuously give back by supporting community initiatives and projects.
Requirements
An eligible candidate must:
- Have been in operation for a minimum of five years
- Exercise care and empathy with employees
- Create a work environment that fosters growth and encourages development of employees
- Be an exemplary leader and demonstrate passion, vision and positive moral character
- Emphasize the importance of delivering high levels of customer service to all clients
- Be a leader in their industry
- Have leading products and/or services
- Have a major impact on the landscape of the local business community
- Give back to the community by supporting local initiatives and projects
Innovative Business of the Year, presented by Beedie Living
Description
This Whistler business or organization has shown recent innovative talent in developing a new product or service. It is creative, cutting edge, unique and out of the ordinary.
Requirements
Eligible Business must have:
- Originated in Whistler
- Been in business for minimum of one full year beginning June 1, 2024
- Successfully implemented an innovative concept (and possibly sold the innovation or business) and can demonstrate measurable success as a result
- Made a considerable positive impact in their industry or on a business and this is in some way transformational
- Potential to address an issue or critical barrier to progress in the field
- Be creative and cutting edge in a local, provincial, national or international context
Rising Star of the Year, presented by the Hotel Association of Whistler
Description
This Whistler business person is starting to make an impact beyond their years. They show outstanding success at a young age, give back by supporting the community, and are on a clear leadership track. They should have a culture of trail blazing and a solid plan for future career and performance development.
Requirements
An eligible candidate must:
- Be age 39 or under on June 1, 2025
- Be in ownership, management or another leadership capacity within a Whistler business organization
- Exhibit outstanding performance and definite career progress – demonstrated through measurable results
- Be highly active in the community and committed to making a difference
- Demonstrate a pattern of risk taking or trail blazing
- Have future plans for career and performance development
- Have been in business or role for less than five years – if someone in this age category has been in their role or business for over five years then we would recommend the business person of the year award
- Open to both current Whistler Chamber Members or employed by a Member of the Whistler Chamber
Sustainability in Action Business, with AWARE, presented by Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd.
Description
This Whistler business has demonstrated considerable positive impact in advancing sustainability in their business, sector and the local community. It has implemented sustainability strategies and practices that protect the environment, improve individual and community wellbeing, and contribute to our vibrant economy.
Requirements
An eligible candidate must have:
- Implemented environmental, social and economic sustainability practices and/or strategies that support the success of their business and demonstrates improvement.
- Made a considerable positive impact in progressing their business' sustainability efforts
- An understanding of what to do to further progress toward sustainability through future plans or 2019 Big Moves Climate Strategy objectives
- Communicated the story and rationale of their sustainability practices/strategies to their customers
The Pat Kelly Champion of the Arts Award, presented by Arts Whistler, supported by Julie Kelly and their family foundation
Description
This award recognizes individuals, organizations, artists, and local businesses who have contributed significantly to the development of arts and culture in Whistler.
This award alternates annually between acknowledging:
- The Arts Sector - an individual or an organization that creates, supports or fosters arts experiences in Whistler
- The Business Sector - an individual or business that invests in the arts community, helping it thrive.
For the 2025 Whistler Excellence Awards, the recipient will be The Business Sector.
Requirements
An eligible candidate must suit at least one of the criteria below:
- A business leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership, creative vision, and commitment in encouraging and developing partnerships between business and the arts.
- A Business that has made significant contributions to support and/or sponsor arts, culture, and heritage in Whistler or that has made significant contributions to arts education.
*nominees do not have to be Members of the Whistler Chamber to be eligible for this award in 2025.
Service Excellence: Small Business (up to 34 employees), presented by Reactive Design Inc.
Description
These Whistler businesses have industry-leading service delivery and have made an impact on the Whistler guest experience. They have introduced and implemented service strategies that allow them to deliver exceptional customer service and consistently exceed customers' expectations.
Requirements
An eligible candidate must:
- Have 34 employees or less for the small business award – If you have access to resources from a parent organization or head office that you do not pay for, then you're considered a large business!
- Deliver industry leading service
- Make an impact on the Whistler guest experience
- Implement successful service strategies across the business ensuring customer expectations are exceeded
- Implement the ABC's of Service Excellence in their workplace:
- Accountable: We are dependable and deliver on promises
- Bold: We take initiative and fulfill customer requests efficiently
- Connected: We share our ‘Whistler Wow' and personalize the experience
Service Excellence: Large Business (35 or more employees) presented by Whistler Blackcomb
Description
These Whistler businesses have industry-leading service delivery and have made an impact on the Whistler guest experience. They have introduced and implemented service strategies that allow them to deliver exceptional customer service and consistently exceed customers' expectations.
Requirements
An eligible candidate must:
- Have 35 employees or more for the large business award
- Deliver industry leading service
- Make an impact on the Whistler guest experience
- Implement successful service strategies across the business ensuring customer expectations are exceeded
- Implement the ABC's of Service Excellence in their workplace:
- Accountable: We are dependable and deliver on promises
- Bold: We take initiative and fulfill customer requests efficiently
- Connected: We share our ‘Whistler Wow' and personalize the experienes
Emerging Business of the Year
Description
This Whistler business has recently emerged in our community and demonstrates exceptional promise for continued growth. It is actively involved with the Whistler community and has made an impact since it emerged.
Requirements
An eligible business must have:
- Been in operation between 1 and 3 years as of June 1, 2025
- The business must have a reputation for integrity and a high level of customer service
- Developed expanding positive reputation and has good growth potential
- Demonstrates leadership and resilience
The Citizen of the Year, with Whistler Community Foundation, presented by Race & Company LLP
Description
Created in 1969, the Citizen of the Year award is Whistler's longest standing celebration. The Whistler Community Foundation is honored with the task of selecting the annual recipient of this prestigious award. The Whistler Citizen of the Year is an outstanding community member who contributes significantly to enhancing the quality of life in Whistler. This individual demonstrates extraordinary leadership and community service for the betterment of the community. Well-respected in the community, they inspire others with their caring and positive attitude and spirit of cooperation.
Requirements
This award has a slightly difference process and timeline:
- Nominators should complete the form in full.
- The Whistler Community Foundation selection committee will review all forms.
- The Whistler Community Foundation will announce the winner at the 2025 Whistler Excellence Awards.
An eligible candidate:
- is an individual*;
- resides in B.C.;
- is of any age;
- makes recent and significant volunteer contributions within the community of Whistler;
- actively participates in positive change for the benefit of the community;
- empowers others to build community strength and resilience; and
- includes community members in a way that builds trust and promotes a sense of belonging.
*At the discretion of the selection committee, a collective (of two or more volunteers) may be considered an individual, when the collective is focused on one or more shared initiatives that have significant impact on the community.
Above & Beyond Award Of Excellence
Description
The Above & Beyond award recognizes a local individual or collective that has made an outstanding contribution or accomplishment eclipsing normal individual and/or company boundaries that will benefit our community in unique and meaningful ways. The nominee has positively impacted the community, and has demonstrated best business practices. In addition, their mission/objective/goals reflect a defined community need. The nominee is a passionate role-model of continual improvement in quality, wellness, and innovation. Candidates for this award may be employed by a Whistler business/organization, may be a volunteer in one of Whistler's many agencies, and be a member of the community who has made a difference.
Requirements
An eligible nominee must:
- Have consented to nomination, publication of their name and be willing to summarize to enable knowledge transfer
- Be employed or volunteer at a Whistler business / organization
- Be highly active in the community and committed to making a difference
- May be of any age
- Be an exemplary role model who displays honesty and integrity
- Continuously inspire others to give to the community
