VANCOUVER, Sept. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Small Business BC, the province's premier resource for entrepreneurs, and Insurance Bureau of Canada will open nominations and voting for the 14^th Annual Small Business BC Awards competition on October 1, 2016 at 12:00 AM PST.

The Small Business BC Awards is the largest small business awards competition in the province. These awards recognize the outstanding achievements of BC's entrepreneurs and celebrate the contributions new and existing businesses registered in BC, with fewer than 50 employees, make to their local communities and the global economy.

This year's Small Business BC Awards will introduce two new award categories to the competition: Best Innovation, presented by the BC Innovation Council; and Best Marketer, presented by Yellow Pages.

Entrepreneurs are invited to nominate their business and the public is encouraged to nominate their favourite small businesses in any of this year's 10 categories:

Recipients of Small Business BC Awards are recognized with the Premier's Prize in the amount of $1,500 cash. The winners are also offered a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education, resources and experts, and one-on-one business mentorship opportunities with notable advisors from the award sponsors.

Nominated business owners will be tasked with gaining as many votes as possible through social media, word of mouth, e-mail or any other means by November 30, 2016 to make it to the Top 10 in each category. The Top 10 will be announced as finalists on December 12, 2016.

The winners of each category will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony on February 23, 2017 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel.

More details on the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca.

Quotes

"The Small Business BC Awards are about celebrating the people who help make communities across the province thrive – entrepreneurs. By creating jobs and making neighbourhoods flourish, small business owners are the backbone of B.C.'s growing and diverse economy." – Premier Christy Clark

"It's important to recognize small businesses for what they do for B.C. – grow the economy, create jobs and, most importantly, be the heart and soul of B.C.'s communities. I invite all small businesses across B.C. to apply for the Small Business BC Awards, so that you can be celebrated for all your hard work, you deserve it." – Hon. Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business, Red Tape Reduction and Liquor Distribution, Province of British Columbia

"Small businesses are playing an increasingly vital role in the social well-being and health of small communities and the overall BC economy. Their efforts deserve the respect of all British Columbians and the Small Business BC Awards are the best way to celebrate and acknowledge their success and contribution." – George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC

"IBC is proud to support small businesses in British Columbia and across Canada. Insurers and consumers know that when small businesses succeed it promotes job creation and economic growth. That is why Canada's insurance industry is committed to working with small business owners to make sure they have the protection and coverage they need to help them grow and prosper." – Bill Adams, Vice-President, Western and Pacific, IBC

"The BC Innovation Council recognizes that small and medium-sized enterprises have a significant impact on economic growth, jobs and innovation. They make up the majority of companies in our thriving technology sector. We're very proud to be presenting the Best Innovation Award in this year's Small Business BC Awards competition." – Shirley Vickers, President and CEO, BC Innovation Council

"BC's economy wouldn't be where it is today without the contributions of all the small businesses across the province. Hiring and training apprentices are integral pieces of growing and sustaining businesses of all sizes and strengthening BC's trades community. We are excited to recognize a champion employer with the Best Apprentice Training Award this year in partnership with Kwantlen Polytechnic University." – Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority

"At KPU, we work hand-in-hand every day with small businesses who support our students in a variety of ways, including co-ops, internships and experiential learning opportunities. We are pleased to partner with the ITA for these awards to honour those small businesses who support our apprentices by ensuring they receive on-the-job training that is such a critical component to their success in their chosen trades."  – Salvador Ferreras, Ph.D., Provost and Vice-President Academic, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

"At Sage, we value the importance of supporting small business growth, because we understand just how integral it is to job creation and overall economic prosperity. We are excited to encourage recognition for entrepreneurs by sponsoring the Small Business BC Awards, and will continue to provide market-leading accounting, ERP, payment and payroll solutions that will help small businesses succeed in the province and across Canada." – Paul Struthers, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Sage Canada

"TruShield is pleased to support and recognize the best of the BC small business community. Thanks to all nominees for being inspirational to future entrepreneurs." – Tony O'Brien, EVP, TruShield Insurance

"UPS Canada is proud to collaborate with Small Business BC in an effort to lead the way in building the already strong entrepreneurial presence in British Columbia. Together, we are advancing small business success and the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards competition will help acknowledge those making a difference." – Paul Gaspar, Director of Small Business, UPS Canada

"Looking forward to recognizing all those entrepreneurs investing and creating an impact in our communities!" – Morgan Beall, Microfinance Program Manager, Vancity Community Investment

"Serving over 244,000 local Canadian businesses, Yellow Pages champions the neighbourhood economy by enabling local businesses and their consumers to connect, interact and build relationships. We are proud to be part of the Small Business BC Awards, acknowledging achievements of BC's entrepreneurs" – Sonny Magon, Senior Sales Manager, Yellow Pages

About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there's a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking "How do I...?" Small Business BC is the one to call.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties. P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 120,000 Canadians, pays $8.2 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $49 billion.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada