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Greater Victoria, February 9, 2017 – Local entrepreneur Dan Dagg, President of Hot House Marketing, will be the first recipient of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Member of the Year. He receives this recognition for his years of volunteer service on behalf of the Chamber and his leadership in building the regional coalition that launched the South Island Prosperity Project in 2016. As previously announced, Mel Cooper will receive the Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership and commitment to business excellence over the decades. The finalists in the other 12 categories were selected yesterday. The finalists have distinguished themselves in a various ways including excellent customer service, sustainable business practices, young entrepreneurship, and outstanding personal leadership. From start-ups to legends, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Awards and its 14 categories shine a light on hard working businesses, business people and community leaders with achievements worth celebrating. In 2017, The Chamber has added two new categories: Chamber Member of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Awards will be on Thursday, April 20, 2017. Quotes: “Dan Dagg is a dedicated community partner who was instrumental in designing and launching a new economic development agency for our region,” said Al Hasham, Chair of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “His tireless volunteer efforts and partnerships truly benefit our region and all of our members. He is very deserving of the inaugural Chamber Member of the Year award.” “This year’s finalists are such a positive reflection of the strength and diversity of local business and their outstanding achievements,” said Catherine Holt, CEO of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “It’s exciting to see such high quality nominees in all categories. The judges had to make some very hard choices. We look forward to recognizing all our finalists and winners at The Chamber’s awards ceremony.” 2017 AWARD FINALISTS Business Leadership; sponsored by Coast Capital Savings • Fort Properties Ltd. • Western Interior Design Group Ltd. Innovation; sponsored by University of Victoria, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business • Coastal Community Credit Union & Insurance • Flytographer Outstanding Customer Service; sponsored by Innov8 • Outlooks for Men • STS Pain Pharmacy Sustainable Business Practices; sponsored by The Chamber • Bernhardt Contracting • City Green Solutions Society New Business; sponsored by Peninsula Co-op • FreshWorks Studio • Loomo Marketing Business Person of the Year; sponsored by the United Way of Greater Victoria • Scott Burley, 2 Burley Men Moving Ltd. • Mandy Farmer, Accent Inns – Hotel Zed Young Entrepreneur of the Year; sponsored by Royal Roads University • Rachel Paish, Passion and Performance • Glen Smethurst, Van Isle Paint Inc. and Island Digital Marketing Outstanding Workplace of the Year; sponsored by HRMA Vancouver Island • Checkfront Inc. • Smart Dolphins IT Solutions Inc. Non-Profit of the Year (NEW); sponsored by Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver IslandNEW) • Lifetime Networks • Our Place Society Business of the Year (1-10 Employees); sponsored by City of Victoria • Balance Home Cleaning • BC Hazmat Management Ltd. Business of the Year (11-39 Employees); sponsored by CHEK News • Orca Spirit Adventures • Proline Management Ltd. Business of the Year (40+ Employees); sponsored by Capital Magazine presented by Times Colonist • Beanstream • Peninsula Co-op The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is the largest business association in Greater Victoria, with over 1,400 member organizations. The Chamber was founded February 9, 1863, and is funded by businesses to support business. It works to strengthen the region’s business community through networking events, advocacy, professional development activities and many other member services. -30-