2011 Best Companies Awards Gala

2011 Best Companies Awards Gala Fairmont Hotel Vancouver November 29, 2011 It takes more than a Ping-Pong table in the boardroom and free snacks in the kitchen to be a best company. Beyond the perks and the paycheque, employees are seeking a sense of worth and connection.

From left: Habañero Consulting Group’s Dan Helmer, Jose Szucs, Dave Kachman, and B.C. regional director Chris Radcliffe. Habañero ranked second in the 2011 Best Companies in Professional Services and Communications.

From left: Mindfield Group’s Connie Chong, Kelly Miller, and Harmony Powell.

Craig Miller (l) of Montridge Financial Group, with Benefits by Design CEO Mike McClenahan. Benefits by Design ranked eighth in the 2011 Best Companies to Work For with 100 Employees or Fewer.

From left: Jennifer Liu, CEO Jonathan Bixby, and Emily Diubaldo from Strangeloop Networks, the Best Companies overall winner, for the fourth straight year.

Appnovation Technologies director of sales Iain Macneil (l), and director of business development James Heise.

Jerry Gratton (l) of Mindfield Group, with Laurie Baggio, COO of 1-800-Got-Junk?, the second place company in the 2011 Best Companies with More Than 100 Employees.

The Accent Inns Inc. team (from left): Meili Chong, owner Terry Farmer, Chris Browne, and Joanne Wynn. Accent Inns ranked fifth in the Best Companies to Work For with More Than 100 Employees.

From Pharmasave Drugs, Joanne Reston (l) and CEO Dave Reston. Pharmasave was the winner of the 2011 Best Companies in Retail.

From left: La-Z-Boy Furniture’s Frank DuCharme, Gerald Miller, Carla Miller, and Sudeep Chatterjee. La-Z-Boy 
Vancouver
 ranked fourth in 2011 Best Companies in Retail.

From left: Accent Inn’s John Espley, with Chemistry Consulting Group’s Christine Stoneman, Frank Bourree, and Jane Bourree. Based in Victoria, Chemistry Consulting Group took first place in the 2011 Best Companies with More Than 100 Employees.

Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services chief of staff Judy Brooks (l), with co-owner Gayla DeHart. Nurse Next Door ranked third in the 2011 Best Companies with More Than 100 Employees.

Flight Centre Canada’s Lisa Baker (l) and Kim Barnes. Flight Centre ranked ninth in the 2011 Best Companies with More Than 100 Employees.

Great Little Box Company marketing manager Naveet Mudhar, and VP of sales and marketing James Palmer. Great Little Box Company ranked seventh in the 2011 Best Companies with More Than 100 Employees.

From left: Kryton International Inc.’s Rolf Skala, CEO Kari Yuers, and Jeff Bowman. Kryton International ranked third in the 2011 Best Companies with 100 Employees or Fewer.

From left: Joe Fortes general manger Scott Garrett; maitre d’ and partner Frenchy Gagne; and executive chef Wayne Sych. Joe Fortes & Goldfish Restaurants took fourth place in the 2011 Best Companies with More Than 100 Employees, and fifth place in

Ruth Spink (l) and Barry McDougall of Slant Six Games, which placed sixth in the 2011 Best Companies with More Than 100 Employees.

Yumi Numata (l) of XYBOOM, with Dan Sakaki of Better Business Bureau, which took first place in the Public Sector, Non-profit and Crown category.

2011 Best Companies Awards Gala
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
November 29, 2011

It takes more than a Ping-Pong table in the boardroom and free snacks in the kitchen to be a best company. Beyond the perks and the paycheque, employees are seeking a sense of worth and connection.

The 10th annual Best Companies gala at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver brought together the employers who have created some of the most engaged workplaces in the province. From hospitality and technology to non-profits and financial services, these companies have prioritized employee satisfaction and made it the foundation of their successful businesses. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!