This fall, Kelowna’s tourism community is glowing with pride as area businesses and industry members earn recognition on both local and national stages.
Big White Ski Resort has been named a finalist for Business of the Year at the Canadian Tourism Awards. This award category recognizes a business that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, serving as an example of all-around business excellence in the tourism industry. Big White is the only Kelowna-based business, and one of three BC-based businesses, to be nominated at the awards.
Closer to home, Big White's Senior Vice President and Tourism Kelowna Board Member, Michael J. Ballingall, has been named 2025 Business Leader of the Year by the Kelowna Chamber. Ballingall will be honoured at the 38th Annual Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards, set to take place on October 30 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort.
Big White is also a finalist for the awards' Excellence in Tourism category, alongside fellow finalists Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery and Holly Jolly Travel Co. The award, sponsored by Tourism Kelowna, recognizes a business that has demonstrated exceptional performance in the tourism or hospitality sector and shows a commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and sustainable tourism practices.
Other tourism-related businesses, including several Tourism Kelowna members and vendors, and one of its Board members, that are finalists for the awards include:
- Excellence in Agriculture: Days Century Growers and Helen's Acres
- Excellence in Arts & Entertainment: New Vintage Theatre
- Indigenous Business of the Year: Kekuli Cafe Coffee-West Kelowna
- Mid-Size Business of the Year: Kelowna Concierge and GreenStep Solutions
- Rising Star Business of the Year: Cabin 5 Granola and Löyly Floating Sauna
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Jillian Haller - Kelowna Concierge
These local and national honours spotlight the incredible businesses and people that make Kelowna’s visitor economy thrive year-round. We invite you to join us in congratulating and celebrating these finalists for their dedication to quality, collaboration, and community, values that help keep Kelowna’s tourism industry vibrant and resilient. Their hard work and dedication are what make our destination truly shine.
About the Canadian Tourism Awards
The Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), recognize the best and brightest in Canada’s tourism industry. From outstanding teams and organizations to individual luminaries who surpass all expectations, exemplifying a commitment to provide nothing short of exceptional tourism experiences from coast to coast to coast.
About the Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards
The Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards, presented by Lawson Lundell LLP and BEEM Credit Union, celebrate the innovation, leadership, and impact of businesses and organizations across the Central Okanagan. The awards recognize the work of small startups, long-standing community leaders, and teams making waves in their industries.