Credit: Paul Duchart
Coralee Oakes, MLA Caribou North, Opposition critic small business; Maureen Czirfusz, BCEDA incoming chair; Sue Kenney, BCEDA current chair; and Andrew Wilkinson, BC Liberal leader
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) and FortisBC announced the winners of the 2019 BC Economic Development Awards at the annual banquet at the Westin Wall Centre Richmond. Guests enjoyed a networking reception with a silent auction prior to dinner, a live auction and an awards ceremony.
Now in their 30th year, the awards honour association members working on community-based economic development projects in B.C. and recognize individuals and groups that produce outstanding work in economic development that has helped make a difference in supporting and expanding local economies.
The BCEDA is the leading professional association of economic development practitioners in British Columbia. The association currently has over 450 members from communities throughout the province. It provides services that help member communities grow and expand new and existing businesses; attract new business investments; and work toward strategic infrastructure investment, land-use planning and community enhancement.
Credit: Paul Duchart
Christine Thompson, City of Grand Forks councillor; Diane Heinrich, City of Grand Forks chief administration officer; and Cathy Korolek, City of Grand Forks councillor
Credit: Paul Duchart
Ellen McAvany, District of Chetwynd economic development officer/parks manager; Sharon Smith, Granisle chief administration officer
Credit: Paul Duchart
Isher Lehal, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development community wildlife recovery officer regional economic operations; Christina Doll, City of Prince George workforce development officer economic development; and Emily Colombo, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development regional manager regional economic operations
Credit: Paul Duchart
Trevor Cootes, Member of Huu-ay-aht Council, Huu-ay-aht First Nations; Frederique Murphy, Mountain Moving Mindset founder; and John Powell, District of Tumbler Ridge director of economic development and tourism
Credit: Paul Duchart
Joshua Ludgate, Small Business BC VP operations; and Sara Clark, Small Business BC VP strategic projects
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From the City of Vernon: Roy Nuriel, economic development planner; Victor Cumming, mayor of Vernon; and Kevin Boole, manager of economic development and tourism
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The cocktail reception
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John Farrell, Community Futures of the Pacific Northwest GM; Eli Kelly, Prince Rupert business development officer; Bonnie McLean, Community Futures Peace Liard business analyst; and Brittany Pederson, Prince Rupert Port Authority
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John Perrot, City of West Kelowna economic development officer; and Greg Goodwin, BC provincial government executive director
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Schaun Goodeve, City of Kimberley manager of economic development; and William George, Merritt economic development and tourism manager
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Joanne Norris, Futurpreneur Canada interim regional director/ThriveNorth project manager; and Seppe Mommaerts, Destination BC destination development manager
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Terry Van Horn,Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation executive director; and David Bennett, , FortisBC director of communications and external relations
Credit: Paul Duchart
Christina Doll, City of Prince George development officer, ; Melissa Barcellos, City of Prince George manager of economic development; Keenan Hopson, City of Prince George development officer; and David Bennett, FortisBC, director of communications and external relations
Credit: Paul Duchart
David Bennett, FortisBC, director of communications and external relations, presents the Economic Development Marketing Award (community less than 20,000) to Donna Wilchynski, Christina Gateway Community Development Association community coordinator
Credit: Paul Duchart
David Bennett, FortisBC, director of communications and external relations, presents the Economic Development Marketing Award (community more than 20,000) to Lilia Hansen, City of Fort St. John councillor
Credit: Paul Duchart
David Bennett, FortisBC, director of communications and external relations, presents the Stan Rogers Memorial Award to Bob Long, Township of Langley councillor
Credit: Paul Duchart
Maureen Czirfusz, BCEDA incoming chair
Credit: Paul Duchart
The silent auction items
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The silent auction items
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Sue Kenney, BCEDA current chair
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Sue Kenney, BCEDA current chair, addresses the crowd
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Andrew Wilkinson, BC Liberal leader
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Dale Wheeldon, BCEDA president and CEO; and Sue Kenney, BCEDA current chair
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Laith Wardi, ExecutivePulse president
Credit: Paul Duchart
Dale Wheeldon, BCEDA president and CEO; Christina Doll, City of Prince George development officer; Melissa Barcellos, City of Prince George manager of economic development; Keenan Hopson, City of Prince George development officer; and David Bennett, FortisBC director of communications and external relations
Credit: Paul Duchart
Laith Wardi, ExecutivePulse president; Sue Kenney, BCEDA current chair; and Dale Wheeldon, BCEDA president and CEO
