The 2025 Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards move to SFU amid labour disputes, promising an unforgettable night celebrating top local businesses.
Surrey’s Biggest Business Night Gets a New Stage
Get ready for a fresh twist in one of Surrey’s most anticipated celebrations! The 2025 Surrey & White Rock Business Excellence Awards are packing up their glitz and glamour and heading to a brand-new venue. Why the sudden move? A labour dispute at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel has prompted organizers to relocate this prestigious gala to Simon Fraser University (SFU) on University Drive.
A Night of Glitz, Gowns, and Greatness
Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 6! The 27th annual awards gala will light up SFU starting at 6 p.m., transforming the campus into a scene straight out of the Academy Awards. Over 400 guests—including Surrey’s rising entrepreneurs, seasoned business leaders, and community champions—will gather for an evening of celebration, inspiration, and connection.
Tickets, available through swrbot.com, start at $150, offering attendees a night filled with fine dining, live entertainment, and, of course, recognition of outstanding local talent.
Labour Dispute Forces a Change of Plans
This isn’t the first event to be affected by the ongoing labour issues at the Guildford hotel. The Surrey International Writers’ Conference also had to cancel its mid-October event, sparking a $300,000 online fundraiser to ensure its return in 2026 and beyond. The situation, while challenging, has also brought the community closer, showcasing Surrey’s resilience and adaptability.
Spotlight on the Finalists
This year’s awards, hosted by the newly merged Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade (SWRBOT), will honor businesses and individuals in eight exciting categories. Here’s a peek at some of the names to watch:
- Business Person of the Year
Jas Oberoi (Jas Oberoi Group), Kendelle Pollitt (Pier Law & Mediation), and Steve Pisiak (Ultimate Performance) - New Business of the Year
Atwal & Associates Trial Lawyers, Mighty Cubs Childcare, Red Oak Law Corporation - Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Hamza Saquib (Oto Hearing Products), Jujhar Mann (Mann and Co. Bakeshop), Matt Dai (Kingdom Athletics) - Not-for-Profit/Association of the Year
Mackie’s Place Youth Social House, Options Community Services Society, Peace Arch Hospice Society
Celebrating Excellence Across Every Sector
White Rock’s top finalists—A Little Bud, Architecture Panel, and Laura’s Coffee Corner—will also compete for top honors.
Meanwhile, the Business Excellence Awards based on company size include:
- 1–10 Employees: Global Conference Alliance, Ignite Dance Company, U-Lock Mini Storage
- 11–40 Employees: My Empower Therapy, Square One Construction, SWR Drain Service
- 41+ Employees: Cancorr, Kasa Supply, PCB Global Trade Management
A Community United by Innovation
Despite the venue change, excitement is sky-high. The awards continue to shine as a beacon of recognition for those shaping Surrey and White Rock’s vibrant business landscape. As the countdown begins, one thing’s clear—the show will go on, and it’s going to be bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever.
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