The Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce took a fresh approach to the Business Awards this year. The awards were broken into 2 categories, Community and Business Awards. Voting was done entirely by the community online rather then by closed vote. Winners receive a 'Salty Award' and over 50 awards will be given out in the two different areas this week. This new awards approach replaces the Salt Spring Business Excellence Awards with a process that has Salt Spring residents and fans nominating and voting for the winners!
Along with Island Savings Credit Union, the Chamber is hosting Small Business Week events this week to thank Salt Spring for being such a great community!
Community awards were given out at the Chamber event last night and Business Awards will be given out this coming Thursday.
With very special thanks, the Salt Spring Exchange was awarded your favourite local media choice. Thank you to all those who voted for us and who support the Salt Spring Exchange. Thank you to our moderators, writers, account managers, designers and developers who all work to make the Salt Spring Exchange 24/7/265. Thank you especially to our local business advertisers who support the Exchange. We couldn't deliver this dedicated local service to the island without you. And many thank yous again to Suzanne Little for the indelible contributions you made to the Exchange over so many years. This service wouldn't be what is has become without you.
Christopher Roy and Phillip Reece, Salt Spring Exchange
Favourite 'Local Media Choice' Awarded to the Salt Spring Exchange
Here's the full list of winners from the Community Awards.
| 1 | Transportation of Choice | Car |
| 2 | Top Ferry Run | Fulford Harbour to Swartz Bay |
| 3 | Server Extraordinaire | Sam Chan - Golden Island |
| 4 | Favourite Non-Profit | Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary |
| 5 | Best Local Band | The Barefoot Thieves |
| 6 | Favourite Artisan | Julie MacKinnon |
| 7 | Funniest Person on Salt Spring | Arvid Chalmers |
| 8 | Salt Spring’s “Know it All” | Banana Joe Clemente |
| 9 | Favourite Hippy | Sally Sunshine |
| 10 | Person “Who Goes the Extra Mile” | Rob LeMarchant - Country Grocer |
| 11 | Most Loyal Customer | Rene Valcourt |
| 12 | Greatest Teacher Ever | Jason Donaldson |
| 13 | Where to Spend your Last $10 | Barb's Bakery & Bistro |
| 14 | Top First Responder | Mitchell Sherrin |
| 15 | Your Volunteer of Choice | Sandy Harkema |
| 16 | Top Live Show | Billie Woods |
| 17 | Best Menu Item on Salt Spring | Duck Wings - Moby's Pub |
| 18 | Local Media Choice | Salt Spring Exchange |
| 19 | Top Boating or Fishing Experience | Pender Bluffs |
| 20 | Favourite Writer on the Island | Arthur Black |
| Favorite Swimming Area | St. Mary Lake | |
| Top Kayak Destination | Chivers Point | |
| Favorite Sport to Play | Disc Golf | |
| Place to Watch the Sunset | Vesuvius Beach | |
| Top Trail for you or your dog | Duck Creek |
Thank you to all event sponsors: The Salt Spring Island Chamber wishes to thank the following event sponsors: Island Savings, Windsor Plywood, Salt Spring Exchange, Thrifty Foods, Driftwood Publishing, Moby's Pub, Country Grocer, Mouat's Trading, Auntie Pesto's, Connor Property Management, Salt Spring Inn, Ion Accounting and Tax Solutions, PCS Pest Control
Thank you for the support from: Alchemy Farms, Celebrity Accents, Ehren McPhee, Fishbowl Magazine, Salt Spring CNC and the The Glass Foundry
...and the members of the Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce!
