Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards Relocate Venue

The 2025 Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards will take place at a new venue due to a labour dispute affecting the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. The gala, celebrating the achievements of local businesses, is now scheduled for November 6, 2025, at Simon Fraser University (SFU) on University Drive. The event will commence at 18:00 and promises an Academy Awards-style evening for over 400 attendees.

The awards ceremony will highlight winners across eight categories, emphasizing the region’s vibrant business community. Tickets are available for purchase starting at $150 on the event’s official site, swrbot.com. This year marks the 27th annual event, organized by the newly merged Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade (SWRBOT).

Finalists and Categories Announced

This year, 24 finalists have been selected in various categories by event planners. The finalists for the prestigious Business Person of the Year award include Jas Oberoi of Jas Oberoi Group, Kendelle Pollitt from Pier Law & Mediation, and Steve Pisiak of Ultimate Performance.

In the New Business category, nominees are Atwal & Associates Trial Lawyers, Mighty Cubs Childcare, and Red Oak Law Corporation. Furthermore, the Young Entrepreneur finalists feature Hamza Saquib of Oto Hearing Products, Jujhar Mann from Mann and Co. Bakeshop, and Matt Dai of Kingdom Athletics.

The Not-for-Profit/Association category showcases finalists including Mackie’s Place Youth Social House, Options Community Services Society, and Peace Arch Hospice Society. In the White Rock Business Excellence category, the nominees are A Little Bud, Architecture Panel, and Laura’s Coffee Corner.

Three additional Business Excellence awards will be given based on employee count. For the 1-10 Employees award, finalists include Global Conference Alliance, Ignite Dance Company, and U-Lock Mini Storage. The 11-40 Employees category sees My Empower Therapy, Square One Construction, and SWR Drain Service nominated. Finally, businesses competing for the 41+ Employees award are Cancorr, Kasa Supply, and PCB Global Trade Management.

Impact of Labour Dispute on Events

The relocation of the awards ceremony follows a series of labour issues at the Guildford hotel, which also led to the cancellation of the Surrey International Writers’ Conference scheduled for mid-October. In response, the conference organizers have initiated a fundraising campaign aiming to raise $300,000 to ensure the event can continue in 2026 and beyond.

As the Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards prepares for its new venue, it underscores the resilience of the local business community and the importance of recognizing achievements in challenging times. With a strong lineup of finalists, the gala promises to be an inspiring celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.