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Asian food app, macaron master nab Burnaby biz nominations

Finalists for the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards were announced by the Burnaby Board of Trade
Chris Campbell
fantuan app two
Randy Wu (left) and Feng Yaofei, founders of Fantuan, have based their company out of Burnaby. Chris Campbell photo

The finalists for the 21th annual Burnaby Business Excellence Awards were announced Thursday by the Burnaby Board of Trade. 

The annual awards program, presented jointly by the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby Board of Trade, recognizes leading businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Burnaby for their success, innovation, community involvement, and environmental sustainability.

The Burnaby-based Asian food delivery app Fantuan and Elena Krasnova of Mon Paris Patisserie both nabbed more than one nomination.

This year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, each award category was changed to reflect the unique impacts and challenges facing the business community, and a new award was created - the Burnaby Citizen Champion Award - to recognize an individual resident, employee, or volunteer who personally contributed to Burnaby’s COVID-19 response and recovery.
“While this year was one of great challenge for our community, we felt it more important than ever to recognize those businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profits and citizens who have persevered and excelled in 2020. Burnaby is home to an extraordinarily diverse, innovative, and resilient business community, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate that with these awards,” said Paul Holden, president and CEO of the Burnaby Board of Trade. 

mon paris
Elena Krasnova of Burnaby's Mon Paris Patisserie. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The finalists in each award category for the 2020 Burnaby Business Excellence Awards are:

Business of the Year

For a business that has made an outstanding contribution in the combined areas of business success, innovation and community service in Burnaby in general or specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burnaby Community Spirit

For a business having demonstrated outstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility, strong support of local service agencies and not-for-profit community organizations, and outstanding community initiatives and activities specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic

Business Innovation

For ingenuity and innovation in product design, marketing, science, technology, productivity, commercialization, business planning, employee training and other business activities in general, or specific to activities and initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Environmental Sustainability

For a business that has made protecting, sustaining and enhancing natural resources an integral part of their business plan by adopting strategies and activities that reduce energy and materials consumption and/or eliminates waste and pollution, and for either the continued or enhanced commitment to these principles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Entrepreneurial Spirit

For having demonstrated a highly entrepreneurial approach to launching a new business or a new initiative within an existing business with significant results in key business metrics, including new businesses or new initiatives specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Healthy Workplace

For a business that has recognized the value of employee health and wellness, and has created a workplace and culture which supports employees in their efforts to achieve work-life balance and to maintain and improve their physical, emotional and mental well-being, including specific initiatives and actions taken to support employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not for Profit Organization of the Year

For a Not-For-Profit organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the Burnaby community and its citizens, including through activities and programming specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in doing so has made Burnaby a better place to live, work and play, and have contributed to the Burnaby community’s recovery. 

Business of the Year (up to 50 employees)

For a Burnaby business employing up to 50 people which has made an outstanding contribution in the combined areas of business success, innovation and community service in Burnaby in general or specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business Person of the Year

For a local businessperson who, through their personal vision, expertise, dedication and performance in general or specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, has beenan outstanding role model for business development and excellence. 

Burnaby Citizen Champion (*new for 2020 only)

For a Burnaby resident, volunteer, or individual employee who through their own personal dedication, performance, and service greatly contributed to the Burnaby community’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There will be a free livestream Burnaby Business Excellence Awards event and you can join hundreds of business, community and government leaders on Nov. 5 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to see who the winners are. Sign-up here to receive a live-stream link.