2020 Whistler Excellence Awards Winners

Innovative rising stars shared the spotlight with longtime community cultivators at the first ever virtual Whistler Excellence Awards on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.  The annual community awards gala, now in its 9th year, aired as a YouTube Premiere and has attracted over 1100 views.

Hosted by the Whistler Chamber, presented by BlueShore Financial with community partners the Whistler Arts Council, Whistler Community Foundation and AWARE, the awards honoured excellence in the areas of service, innovation, sustainability, outstanding leadership in the arts, business and community service.

“Despite not being able to celebrate in our usual style at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler this year, we enjoyed an incredibly inspiring evening of celebration.  It was an honour for all of us at the Whistler Chamber to be able to recognise the hard work, passion and dedication of our business community, particularly during these challenging times.  Every finalist enjoyed well-deserved recognition leading up to the virtual event, regardless of whether they won the award on the night,” said Whistler Chamber CEO, Melissa Pace. “The Rising Star award is one of the most exciting awards we give out.  Our community is gifted with such amazing young talent, it’s vital for all of us to recognise, support and invest in the next generation of our business community.”

The “Inspire, Empower, Celebrate” theme celebrated the legacies of long-standing members of our community, the businesses providing incredible service and making monumental contributions to Whistler, and shone a light on next generation of Whistlerites who are poised to become leaders and local legends.  Heather Paul emceed the night in her usual humorous style, all the way from Tofino, the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

The 2020 Whistler Excellence Awards Winners are:

Business Person of the Year  |  Presented by BDO Canada  |  Naoko Homma – Sushi Village

Citizen of the Year  |  Presented by Race & Company LLP  |  Dave Clark

Innovative Business of the Year  |  Presented by Beedie Living  |  Snowboard Addiction

Rising Star of the Year  |  Presented by RMOW  |  Court Larabee – Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Experience Service – Large Business  |  Presented by Whistler Blackcomb |  Whistler Public Library

Whistler Experience Service – Small Business  |  Presented by Reactive Design  |  Revolution Powersports

Sustainability in Action Business  |  Presented by Cascade Environmental Resource Group Ltd  |  ecologyst & café

Whistler Champion of Arts & Culture   |  Presented by The Whistler Real Estate Company Ltd  |  Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Above and Beyond  |  Presented by Hotel Association Whistler  |  Doug Forseth – Whistler Learning Centre