GVBOT Announces 2026 Business Distinction Award Winners
For Immediate Release
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The local business community gathered last night to celebrate and recognize small and medium-sized businesses at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s 5th annual Business Distinction Awards (BDAs).
These awards recognize small and medium-sized businesses that have gone above and beyond to set themselves apart in the region in areas such as sustainability, growth, and leadership.
This recognition is even more important, given the challenges facing SMEs including the rising costs of running a business, a trade war, inflation, public safety concerns, and a skills shortage. Despite these conditions, entrepreneurs and businesses owners continue to show up and work hard every day, building a better future for their employees, their communities, and our province. That spirit of perseverance is at the heart of the BDAs.
QUOTES:
“The success of our region is built on the ambition and hard work of entrepreneurs who take risks, create opportunities, and give back to their communities. Through the Business Distinction Awards, we are honoured to celebrate the remarkable businesses that exemplify the very best of Greater Vancouver's business community.” - Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this year’s winners and finalists, who truly represent the resilience, innovation, and community spirit driving Greater Vancouver's economy. Selecting these recipients from such a competitive pool of nominees was inspiring, as each of these organizations showcase the profound impact that small and medium-sized enterprises have on our region's future.” - Suzanne Girard and Sherry Zhao, Co-chairs of the Scale-up Centre for SMEs.
WINNERS:
Business of the Year: 1 – 20 Employees – Indigenous Iron Construction
Indigenous Iron Construction is a 100% Indigenous-owned company, specializing in delivering high-quality infrastructure projects. It serves a diverse cross-section of market sectors and supports commercial, institutional, and infrastructure projects for both public and private sector clients, all while honouring Indigenous values and cultures.
Business of the Year: 21 – 250: ETRO Construction Limited
ETRO Construction Limited is one of Vancouver’s fastest growing construction management and general contracting firms delivering a diverse range of projects across the commercial, industrial, residential, and infrastructure sectors. Its expertise spans stand-alone commercial and industrial developments, multi-family concrete and wood-frame communities, turnkey design-build solutions, and tenant improvement projects.
Employer of the Year: Destination Vancouver
Destination Vancouver is the non-profit, member-based destination marketing and management organization dedicated to promoting Vancouver as a world-class travel destination. It works alongside partners across Vancouver’s visitor economy to develop exceptional visitor experiences and showcase the city in key Canadian, U.S., and international markets.
Environmental Impact Award: Windset Farms
For more than three decades, Windset Farms has been delivering fresh produce to consumers across the globe, growing into one of North America’s largest sustainable suppliers of natural produce. Its Delta, B.C. greenhouse is the largest LED-lit greenhouse vegetable facility in Western North America, with 86 acres dedicated to year-round tomato and cucumber cultivation.
Greater Vancouver Vibrancy Award: Chinese Canadian Museum
The Chinese Canadian Museum is the country’s only museum dedicated to Chinese Canadian history and culture. The museum shares and celebrates the stories, impact, and living heritage of Chinese Canadian through exhibitions, programs, and community engagement, while connecting communities across the country.
Non-profit of the Year: Vancouver Food Runners Society
Vancouver Food Runners (VFR) works to address the disconnect between food waste, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability. It matches surplus food from businesses and organizations to more than 140 nonprofit partners working with food insecure clients in the Vancouver area.
New Award: Member of the Year – Solomon Wong
The 2026 Member of the Year is Solomon Wong, President & Chief Executive Officer of InterVISTAS Consulting. Through more than two decades of leadership, service, and advocacy, Wong has made significant contributions to GVBOT. A leading voice in Canada's aviation industry, he has helped advance innovations that transformed the travel experience, from trusted traveller programs to streamlined security and border processes. He served for many years as Chair of our Regional Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and continues to support the growth of World Trade Centre Vancouver programming. Through his active participation, steadfast commitment, and enthusiastic promotion of the Board of Trade's work, Solomon has become a trusted leader and outstanding ambassador for our business community.
Event Photos – Please credit Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and Matt Borck/One Group Agency.
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About the Scale-up Centre for SMEs (SCS)
The Scale-up Centre for SMEs (SCS) is an initiative of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. The SCS works to understand the trends, forces, and issues impacting SME growth, innovation, and competitiveness and develops programming and policy to address these issues. Based on the goals of helping companies to discover gaps, engage with experts, and create solutions to address obstacles to growth, the SCS connects, educates, and inspires SMEs in British Columbia.
About the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:
Since its inception in 1887, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has been recognized as Western Canada's leading business association, engaging our members to inform public policy at all levels of government and empowering them to succeed and prosper in the global economy. With a Membership whose employees comprise one-third of B.C.'s workforce, we are the largest business association between Victoria and Toronto. We leverage this collective strength, facilitating networking opportunities and providing professional development through unique programs. In addition, we operate one of the largest events platforms in the country, providing a stage for national and international thought leaders to enlighten B.C.'s business leaders.
Media contact:
Federico Cerani
Communications Manager
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade
604-640-5450 | media@boardoftrade.com