And the winners are: 2026 Business Excellence Awards

Cranbrook’s 34th annual Business Excellence Awards recognized local businesses, organizations and community leaders Oct. 24 at Key City Theatre.

Kathleen Simon was named Citizen of the Year, while Ken and Karin Bridge received the Business Legacy Award.

Shannon Fisher, former owner of Top Crop Garden, Farm & Pet, was named Business Person of the Year.

The annual awards recognize achievements and community contributions across Cranbrook’s private, public and non-profit sectors.

2026 Business Excellence Awards. (Photo Credit: Arielle Leslie – Pattison Media)

The Cranbrook Food Bank Society received the Commitment to Service Excellence Award, and Rebecca Miller of Bumble Tree was named Outstanding Employee of the Year.

The Rotary Club of Cranbrook received the Outstanding Community Supporter award, while Foundry East Kootenay was named Non-Profit of the Year.

2026 Business Excellence Awards (Photo Credit: Nadine Walker-Perry – Pattison Media)

Full List of Winners

• Citizen of the Year – Kathleen Simon
• Economic Driver Award – New Dawn Developments LTD.
• Innovation Excellence Award – Ascendent Technology Group Inc
• Business Legacy Award – Ken and Karin Bridge
• Commitment to Service Excellence Award – Cranbrook Food Bank Society
• Community Collaboration Excellence Award – Community Connections Society Southeast BC
• Workplace Culture Award – FW Green Clinic
• Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Award – Blade Runner Shredding
• Outstanding Employee of the Year – Rebecca Miller, Bumble Tree
• Family Business Excellence – Rick’s Fine Meats & Sausage
• Outstanding Community Supporter – Rotary Club of Cranbrook
• Environmental Champion – Nupqu
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Amanda Cameron, Talaria Footwear & Laurel by Talaria
• Non-profit organization of the year – Foundry East Kootenay
• Business of the Year ( 1-15 Employees) – Talaria Footwear & Adornment
• Business of the Year (16+ Employees) – Top Crop Garden Farm & Pet
• Business Person of the Year – Shannon Fisher – Former Owner, Top Crop Garden, Farm & Pet

Pattison Media is a proud sponsor of the 2026 Business Excellence Awards.