Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards Relocate for 2025

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 prestigious event is now scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Simon Fraser University (SFU), where attendees will celebrate the achievements of local businesses in an Academy Awards-style gala starting at 18:00.

More than 400 guests are expected at this formal event, which aims to highlight the contributions of both established and emerging entrepreneurs. Tickets for the gala are available on the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade’s official website, starting at $150. The change in venue follows similar disruptions, as labour issues at the Guildford hotel also resulted in the cancellation of the Surrey International Writers’ Conference earlier this month. Organizers of that event have since initiated a $300,000 fundraising campaign to secure its future in 2026 and beyond.

At the SFU venue, the event planners, in collaboration with the newly merged Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade (SWRBOT), have announced 24 finalists across eight categories. The highly anticipated Business Person of the Year award features notable finalists, including Jas Oberoi of the Jas Oberoi Group, Kendelle Pollitt from Pier Law & Mediation, and Steve Pisiak of Ultimate Performance.

Emerging enterprises will also be recognized, with finalists in the New Business category including Atwal & Associates Trial Lawyers, Mighty Cubs Childcare, and Red Oak Law Corporation. The Young Entrepreneur category showcases promising talent, featuring Hamza Saquib of Oto Hearing Products, Jujhar Mann of Mann and Co. Bakeshop, and Matt Dai of Kingdom Athletics.

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

There are three separate categories for Business Excellence based on employee count. For businesses with 1-10 employees, finalists include Global Conference Alliance, Ignite Dance Company, and U-Lock Mini Storage. The 11-40 Employees category features My Empower Therapy, Square One Construction, and SWR Drain Service. Finally, nominees for the 41+ Employees award are Cancorr, Kasa Supply, and PCB Global Trade Management.

As the Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards prepares for its new venue and a night of celebration, the event underscores the resilience and innovation of local businesses amidst challenges.