GVBOT Announces 2026 Business Distinction Awards Finalists, Names Solomon Wong Inaugural Member of the Year
For Immediate Release
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, in collaboration with the Scale-up Centre for SMEs, has announced the 18 finalists for the 2026 Business Distinction Awards (BDAs).
These awards celebrate small and medium-sized businesses that have gone above and beyond to distinguish themselves across the Greater Vancouver region. Finalists were recognized for excellence in areas such as sustainability, growth, leadership, and more.
This year also introduces the inaugural Member of the Year award, recognizing outstanding contributions to GVBOT through volunteerism, mentorship, speaking engagements, or committee participation. The recipient is nominated by GVBOT staff with the final selection made by the President and CEO.
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.
To better reflect the diversity of our business community, this year’s BDAs introduce two new categories: Business of the Year 1–20 Employees and Business of the Year 21–250 Employees. The awards recognize outstanding performance, leadership, innovation, and community impact among both small and established businesses. These categories replace the former Business Growth Awards.
Nominations for our awards were collected this spring and reviewed by the Scale-up Centre for SMEs Advisory Committee, which is comprised of GVBOT members from a wide range of sectors and industries, reflecting the diversity of the Greater Vancouver business community.
The Business Distinction Awards Ceremony will be hosted on October 22 where the business community will celebrate the winners and finalists in front of colleagues, families, and friends.
QUOTES:
“As small and medium-sized businesses navigate increasingly challenging economic conditions, it is more important than ever to recognize and celebrate their success. We are proud to honour the outstanding achievements of these 18 finalists, whose innovation, resilience, and leadership strengthen our communities, create quality jobs, and drive economic growth across our region.” -Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this year’s exceptional group of finalists, who truly represent the resilience, innovation, and community spirit driving Greater Vancouver's economy. Selecting these finalists 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.
BDA FINALISTS:
Business of the Year 1-20 Employees:
Business of the Year 21-250 Employees:
Employer of the Year:
Environmental Impact:
Non-Profit of the Year:
Greater Vancouver Vibrancy:
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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