The Summerland Chamber of Commerce is looking for outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses for the annual Business and Community Awards.
The 77th annual awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Summerland Waterfront Resort.
As in previous years, there are 11 categories.
Sophia Jackson of the Summerland Chamber said there were seven nominations for the Citizen/Volunteer of the Year category last year.
The Rising Star award, for new businesses, also received several nominations, Jackson said.
The other award categories are Sustainability Leader, Technology and Innovation, Professional Services Excellence, Trade Services Excellence, Manufacturing/Industrial Excellence, Retail Excellence, Tourism and Hospitality Excellence and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
In addition, the Mayor’s Award of Excellence will be presented. This award is presented by they mayor, not the chamber.
Jackson said the awards allow the community to recognize outstanding effort.
“It’s a great way to honour people,” she said. “It’s inspiring. They work incredibly hard.”
In past years, many of the nominees and recipients have been those with a long history of business or community excellence, but Jackson said the awards should not be seen as a recognition of lifetime achievement.
The focus is on accomplishments over the past year, she said.
Nomination forms are available at the chamber’s website at summerlandchamber.com and at the Summerland Review office.
The deadline for nominations is Jan. 23.