Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards Move to SFU

The 2025 Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards will take place at a new venue due to a labour dispute at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. The 27th awards gala will be hosted by Simon Fraser University (SFU) on November 6, 2025, starting at 18:00. This prestigious event will celebrate winners across eight categories in a formal gala, attracting over 400 guests, including emerging talent and young entrepreneurs.

Tickets for the event are available starting at $150 on the official SWRBOT website. The venue change follows similar disruptions, as the ongoing labour issues at the Sheraton hotel also led to the cancellation of the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in mid-October. Organizers of that conference have launched a fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $300,000 to sustain the event for future years.

At the SFU venue, 24 finalists have been nominated across various categories by the recently merged Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade (SWRBOT). Among the nominees for the coveted Business Person of the Year award are Jas Oberoi of the Jas Oberoi Group, Kendelle Pollitt from Pier Law & Mediation, and Steve Pisiak representing Ultimate Performance.

Finalists in the New Business category include Atwal & Associates Trial Lawyers, Mighty Cubs Childcare, and Red Oak Law Corporation. The Young Entrepreneur category showcases promising talents such as Hamza Saquib from Oto Hearing Products, Jujhar Mann of Mann and Co. Bakeshop, and Matt Dai from 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 features nominees such as A Little Bud, Architecture Panel, and Laura’s Coffee Corner.

There are three specific Business Excellence award categories based on the number of employees. For businesses with 1-10 employees, the finalists are Global Conference Alliance, Ignite Dance Company, and U-Lock Mini Storage. In the 11-40 employees category, nominees include My Empower Therapy, Square One Construction, and SWR Drain Service. For businesses with over 41 employees, contenders are Cancorr, Kasa Supply, and PCB Global Trade Management.

As the event approaches, anticipation builds for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence in business and community contributions. The move to SFU not only provides a new venue but also underscores the resilience of local organizations in the face of challenges.