Maple Ridge city councillors got a review of the work being done by the Ridge Meadows Chamber of commerce at their Jan. 7 meeting, and the reaction from councillors was supportive.

Chamber president Jerry Kok and CEO Kristi Maier presented council with updates on the past two year's work and plans for 2025. Maier expressed her appreciation of the partnership between the chamber and City Hall, noting it has been almost two years since the city entered a fee for service agreement that provides the business organization with $57,500 per year. The city made a two-year commitment.

The chamber representatives talked about improved chamber events and a growing membership. The Business Excellence Awards in particular, which celebrate some of the best entrepreneurs in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, was the largest and most memorable event.

"To hear attendees, some of them we've never met before, say it's the best event they've attended, was deeply gratifying," said Maier. "Events like these are why we do what we do – to create moments that celebrate and elevate our community."

The chamber also did two Women in Business events and held a golf tournament for the first time in 14 years. Maier and her team secured 60 sponsors to support more than 50 events – ranging from Business After Hours minglers to signature events.

Kok noted there is suddenly a lot of interest in people wanting to get involved with the chamber board of directors now, and the membership has grown from 456 in 2022 to 505 at the end of 2024. 

Ruimy spoke about how the partnership is working.
 

"We can work together, we can collaborate, and you can still advocate for your members," he said.

"What are we going to do next?" asked Ruimy, adding he is "looking forward to what the next couple of years bring, and congratulations on doing a really great job."

Coun. Onyeke Dozie had told the chamber two years ago, when the city entered the fee-for-service agreement, that council would be watching, listening and hoping. He told Maier "all eyes are on you."

"This time around, we'll be watching, we'll be cheering, and we'll have high expectations," said Dozie on Jan. 7, "because it's not finished until it's finished."

The chamber has announced the nominees for Business Excellence Awards for 2025.
 

"The chamber is incredibly honoured to celebrate these outstanding businesses and individuals who make our community thrive," said Maier when they were announced on Dec. 13

"Each nominee represents something unique and special, and all have been recognized by someone in our community for their hard work, dedication, and the positive impact they've made in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows."

The awards will be held on March 8 at a the Sky Helicopters Hangar at the Pitt Meadows Airport. The event will be set to an Alice in Wonderland theme, there will be a gourmet dinner from the Humble Roots catering team, sweets provided by the Vanilla Bean Bake Shop, and in the background will be bidding on silent auction items.

Tickets cost $149 each for individual members, and there are prices for tables of eight with wine included. More information is available at ridgemeadowschamber.com.

The award nominees are:
 

Home-based Business of the Year

Sunflower Cafe
Markayting
Maple Washing Inc.
Lizzibear Hugs & Hair Care
Lash Freak

Micro Business of the Year

Tatum's Tailored Trips
Fraser Medical Aesthetics
The Systems Queens
Oakton FC
K & K Custom Creations
Poseidon Property Management
Sugaring Change
Lash Freak
2 Peaks Nutrition
Switchback Brewing Company
TMB Business Management

Small Business of the Year

Hairformers Studio
MealsAWeight
Maple Washing Inc.
Meescan Inc.
MacDonald Meechan Notaries
Vanilla Bean Bakeshop

Medium Business of the Year

Noura Homes
Dewdney Animal Hospital
Cloud 9 Beauty Lounge
Waypoint Insurance
Sunflower Cafe
MacLean Bros

Large Business of the Year

The Patch Brewery
Johnston Meier Insurance
E-One Moli
Nurse Next Door Homecare Services

New Business of the Year

Firework Design Inc.
Poseidon Property Management
Dr. Emma Furze
Ridge Notaries
Kelo Cannabis
C Market Coffee
The Patch Brewery
Maple Ridge Chevrolet Buick GMC
2 Peaks Nutrition
Mueller & Co. Home & Closet

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Ken Colosie - Poseidon Property Management
Kaylesha Penner - Markayting
Liza Afanassieva - Ridge Notaries
Chris & Nicky Evans - The Banana Bike
Candice Jones - A Day to Remember Events
Carley Simpson-Davies - Cloud 9 Beauty Lounge
Taylor Livesey - Vanilla Bean Bake Shop

Environmental Leadership Award

Sunflower Cafe
Noura Homes
Molecular Tech Coatings

Non-Profit Organization of the Year

Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement Association
Foundry Ridge Meadows - Community Service Maple Ridge
Ridge Meadows Hospice Society

Ridge Meadows Community Spirit

Jeannie Harnett
Tyler Towe
Ernie Daykin

Business Leader of the Year

Ellie Jubene - MealsAWeight
Kyla Aiken - EcoPlay
Lucy Meechan - MacDonald Meechan Notaries
Rebecca Laity - The Patch Brewery
Lindsay Kok - Amsterdam Garden Centre

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Ridge Meadows Chamber work lauded by city council - Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News