The Golden Civic Centre was buzzing with excitement on Friday, October 24, as the community came together to celebrate the 2025 Business and Community Excellence Awards (BCEAs), hosted by the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce (KHCCC).
The BCEAs are held each year to recognize and honour leaders in Golden’s business community across a wide range of industries — from food and beverage to trades, tourism, retail, and beyond. The awards celebrate both emerging entrepreneurs and long-standing businesses that have shaped our community for decades.
2025 Award Winners
Business of the Year: Parky’s Heating & Cooling
Community Legacy: Barrault’s Home Furnishings
Customer Service Excellence: Pet Valu Golden
Community Organization: Golden Family Center Society
Employee of the Year: Lou Ann Potter, Ricky’s All Day Grill
Farm to Fork: Golden Acres Farm
Food & Beverage Excellence: Ethos Cafe
Industry & Trade Excellence: Classic Coatings
New Business of the Year: Semicolon Skateboards
Retail Excellence: Golden Artisan Co-op
Tourism Award: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Peter Bowle-Evans Volunteer of the Year: Lucille Hayward, Golden Rockets Junior Hockey Society
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Melissa Johnson, Mellicure
Nominees for each award are put forward by members of the community. Each nominee is then invited to complete a questionnaire to share more about their business, organization, or role. The completed nomination packages are sent to a panel of judges from outside the community to ensure a fair and unbiased selection process. Three finalists are chosen for each category, with the winners announced live during the awards ceremony.
The evening began with a cocktail hour and dinner, giving finalists, sponsors, and community members a chance to mingle before the main event. Dinner was prepared by Columbia River Catering Co., while Good Libations served up local favourites from Whitetooth Brewing Co. and cocktails made with Stolen Bell Distillery spirits.
“The Business and Community Excellence Awards are certainly an undertaking — from open nominations and coordinating judges to managing ticket sales and working with contractors for the event itself — it can feel like a lot!” said KHCCC Executive Director Mel Myers.
“This event simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible help of our event committee, and for them I am profoundly grateful. The BCEAs always bring out the best in Golden. There are so many achievements to celebrate in our small town, and the judges are always amazed by the diversity and excellence of our local businesses — and I couldn’t agree more!”
“Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success — sponsors, business owners, community organizations — you are all appreciated immensely! Even if it can feel like a lot, it’s always worth it.”
As the Chamber reflects on this year’s event, feedback is always welcome to help make future BCEAs even better. If you attended or participated and have suggestions to share in all areas of the event process, please reach out at communications@goldenchamber.bc.ca.
Here’s to another year of celebrating excellence in Golden — and to the incredible businesses, teams, and organizations that make our community shine.
To learn more about what the KHCCC is working on, follow @goldenbcchamber on Instagram or find Kicking Horse Country Chamber on Facebook. For more information, contact Mel at manager@goldenchamber.bc.ca.
