The nominees for the first in-person Whistler Excellence Awards since the pandemic began have been unveiled.
Whistler’s black-tie business and community awards ceremony returns to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler this fall, recognizing the resort’s best and brightest.
In the Citizen of the Year category, Carol Leacy, chair of the Whistler Health Care Foundation; Stella Harvey, author and founder of the Whistler Writers Festival; and Dave Williamson, principal and co-founder of environmental consulting firm Cascade Environmental, will vie for Whistler’s longest-runnning award.
Up for Business Person of the Year are Norm Mastalir, GM of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler; Jackie Dickinson, executive director of the Whistler Community Services Society; and Ian Ritz, founder of Chromag Bikes.
Vying for Rising Star of the Year, which recognizes an individual under 40 who has demonstrated outstanding performance and career progression in a management or leadership role, are Shea Emry of the Whistler Racket Club; Moody Dan from the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre; and Alistair Cray, from Whistler Cooks, Hunter Gather, Fridge Full, and Cranked.
In the Emerging Business of the Year category, Alpine Learning, Picnic Whistler and Creekside Health were nominated, while Alpine Learning, Whistle Ride, and Stinger Boards & Foils are up for the Innovative Business of the Year Award.
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Moguls and Velvet Underground were nominated in the Sustainability in Action Business category, which recognizes companies demonstrating ethical environmental business practices.
In the Champion of the Arts category, which this year recognizes businesses instead of individuals, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Audain Art Museum and regular arts booster Sushi Village were nominated.
In the Service Excellence for Large Business category, Quattro Restaurant, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and Blueshore Financial are up for the award, while Coast Mountain Brewing, Slope Side Supply and Cutting Edge Signs will vie for top honours in the Service Excellence Small Business category.
The Whistler Excellence Awards are slated for Oct. 20 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Tickets are available at whistlerchamber.com.
