Thursday, January 17, 2008
Prince George Civic Centre

Congratulations to the 2007 Award Recipients!!

TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF THE APPLIED SCIENCE TECHNOLOGISTS & TECHNICIANS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA IS JOHN LEECH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE COASTFOR, 150 MILE HOUSE.

COASTFOR has over 30 years of field experience. The company developed software called cruisemate to collect data in the field. This software has many functions to help the timbercruiser to complete the cruise cards error free. Features include automatic age correction, height calculations, built in notes, just to name a few. The data are then downloaded and e-mailed in a compilation-ready format to a compiler. The data thus does not need to be entered by a compiler, but can be compiled in a matter of minutes. The cards are produced in a user-friendly format and can be e-mailed to the licensee or ministry of forests for check-cruising. There are many companies throughout the province using this software.

TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTER OF THE YEAR

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF THE COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA IS JOHN BOWMAN, INTERIM PRESIDENT.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE NORTHERN HEALTH - PACS - PICTURE ARCHIVING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - KEN WINNIG, DIRECTOR, LAB & DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES - PRINCE GEORGE

Northern Health has adopted the use of digital technology picture archiving and communication system (PACS) to store, send, receive diagnostic images such as x-rays, ct images, ultrasound, to improve access to care for residents in the north. This technology allows images to be sent for consultation to specialists and referring physicians, in a secure and efficient manner. Images are also stored digitally instead of taking films which require space for storage and time in sorting and filing. PACS gives us digital capability not present before and now x-rays can be read in communities that do not have an on-site radiologist. This saves time and money and improves care to the patient. It is estimated that only 20 % of rural hospitals across Canada have a PACS system in place. The NH PACS system can be a model for other rural health authorities.

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY INNOVATION AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF WORKSAFE BC IS THE HONOURABLE OLGA ILICH, MINISTER OF - LABOUR AND CITIZENS' SERVICES

HE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE - AUTOMATED GARBAGE COLLECTION.

Manual garbage collection has always been an ergonomic nightmare. There are typically no standards for the garbage bins, thus some are very large and heavy. Some bins are difficult to grip, there may be no handles. The city was beset with time loss injuries to shoulders, backs and necks. Also, sharp objects inside bags could cut or puncture a worker's skin. The city brought in automated garbage trucks, and distributed standardized garbage bins to all residences. Injury rate in the solid waste division was high. The 16 workers were missing about 200 days per year. Since the automated garbage collection was instituted the division has not had a day of lost time in two years!

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF UNBC IS LORNE MACGREGOR, DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY LIAISON OFFICER.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE SCOTT EMMONS - UNBC DATASHARE GROUP

DAN ADAMSON - MCGREGOR MODEL FOREST - PEOPLE & KNOWLEDGE PARTNERING IN PROGRESS
STEVEN FINDLAY - NORATEK SOLUTIONS INC.

The technology involved extending mapping services and relational database designed to be able to incorporate all types of land use plans. This was particularly challenging in that plans like land and resource management vary in written content and spatial extents. The products of this research provide methods by which you can load any spatial information (those usually associated with GIS data) and any written (topical information) into the PLANMAPPER application and merge these data together. Once loaded, information regarding plans can be discovered and queried through geographical or topical means. The benefits of collaboration for this project are most notable in regards to the infusion of database design and integration of spatial data. It should be noted that all of the products created were built upon open source applications and make use of international standards and protocols. It is hoped that we will be able to share these types of advancements once PLANMAPPER has established itself as an organized entity with its own governance model.

ABORIGINAL BUSINESS AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF DUZ CHO CONSTRUCTION. IS OFFICE MANAGER, ARLENE SOLONAS.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE CARRIER SEKANI TRIBAL COUNCIL.

The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is supportive of many bands through the north and their various economic development initiatives. In particular is the service that the council gives to its forestry services. Recently the work done by a recent graduate (forestry) from a northern band has resulted in innovative ideas to enhance the forestry practices of the bands to enhance production. The main development was based on need and balancing the need to develop a viable forestry management in light of the beetle damage in aboriginal lands. As a result of this balance, aboriginal communities now have a viable means to cost effectively use modern mapping and it to enhance the flow of wood while minimizing further harm to habitat or to reclamation work for future forest development.

SUSTAINABLITY AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF ALCAN - BC IS JUSTUS BENCKHUYSEN, SUPERVISOR ENVIRONMENT AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS & SUSTAINABILITY.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE GREENSMART HOMES, DAWSON CREEK.

Greensmart homes in Dawson Creek is a new firm started in the last 2 years that has developed and produced homes made of structural insulated panels. The technology used is an enhanced system of glues that allows a building to be made from two sheets of panel board with a 6" styrofoam core. The innovation in glue as well as to develop panels of the size of 28' x 8' has never been done before. The technology was developed to increase the speed of construction of buildings - in particular portable structures for oil and gas camps that wanted strong buildings, but also ones with a high r factor. They made their goals as the r factor of an Atco trailer runs about 10 - 12 and a normal home is 15- 22. The structural insulated panels structures have an r factor of 64! In most cases in camps, heaters only turn on if the doors are opened and cold air is introduced!

MENTOR AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE AND INITIATIVES PRINCE GEORGE IS MAYOR COLIN KINSLEY.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE JOHN KASON, GLOBAL SECURITIES.

John is a constant inspiration to all new entrepreneurs. He is very active member of the board of junior achievement teaching young school students to become better at money sense and introducing the idea of entrepreneurship. He has given his time without hesitation to Young Rotary, Rotary and Rotact. John gives his time freely to all these volunteer activities even thought he has a busy business practice and a family. John believes in three things when it comes to finances: synergy, structure and knowledge. By creating a team approach he believes that helps focus goals. Regular reviews of what you are doing will help address the changes going on and helps stay on course and permits staying informed about the latest trends in business.

John has been involved as a mentor with budding entrepreneurs since 1999. He has been chair of College Advisory Committee for entrepreneurship since 2002. John is eager to share his experience and insights with people who are interested in working for themselves. John works with George Kennedy at the College of New Caledonia and the "Business the Next Generation" program.

JOHN HUMPHREYS MEMORIAL FOREST INNOVATOR AWARD

PRESENTING THE JOHN HUMPHREYS MEMORIAL FOREST INNOVATOR AWARD ON BEHALF OF DUZ CHO LOGGING IS CHIEF ALEC CHINGEE, MCLEOD LAKE INDIAN BAND

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE TRC CEDAR

Over the past decade, TRC CEDAR has worked itself into the position of being the number 1 producer of western red cedar rails and posts in North America. By manufacturing the under utilized cedar in this way in a tariff free environment has helped position TRC CEDAR as one of the economic drivers and employers in the McBride area. The company recovers all cedar bark, rot sections and other fiber waste for landscape mulch. It is hogged, metered for the right consistency and texture and bagged or shipped in bulk form. The bags each hold two cubic feet of aromatic red cedar mulch. The mulch is sold in Canada and the us. TRC CEDAR was the first in the post and rail business to be certified by the sustainable forestry initiative (sfi). By implementing the principles and following the SFI program TRC CEDAR is setting the standards for the harvesting and manufacturing of products. This provides a means for foresters, landowners, loggers and wood and paper producers to satisfy the growing demand for environmental responsibility while still being able to produce -- at an affordable price -- the forest products upon which people have come to rely.

NORTHERN BC PROSPECTOR OR DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF NORTHGATE MINERALS CORPORATION IS MAURICE ETHIER, GENERAL MANAGER, NORTHGATE MINERALS CORPORATION - KEMESS MINES LTD.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE HYTECH DRILLING, SMITHERS.

HYTECH DRILLING is a drilling company for geotechnical assessment. Their recent work in high altitude drilling using portable drills has opened up many opportunities within South America as well as Northern BC. Within the last year, HYTECH DRILLING has not only been the lead firm in starting "the mining centre of excellence" in Smithers for trades training in the mining sector in cooperation with NWCC. The firm has also helped accomplish the drill holes for discovering molybdenum in Smithers Mountain. The result has been the start of a 1.5km underground mine development under the Smithers Mountain. Over the last few years, HYTECH has grown from 5 people in an old shack next to the highway to a new facility with some 40 drill rigs and employs more than 75.

E-BUSINESS AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF BELL CANADA IS CLINT DAHL - ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE EAGLE VISION INC. OF FORT ST. JOHN.

Eagle Vision has produced an emergency response system of alarms and text messaging for the north and remote areas and markets their new technology to cities around the north. The system functions as a resource for road information for vehicular traffic and also permits text message emergency responders through one call. The system will have a high power transmitter to relay a message to all cell phones that are coordinates with the system. That way, all emergency staff will become informed simultaneously rather than through a dispatch system involving multiple calls. It will also act as backup for communications during power outages.

TECHNOLOGY START-UP OF THE YEAR

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF THE INNOVATION RESOURCE CENTRE IS ROY SPOONER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE TWO COMPANIES WHICH HAVE TIED FOR THIS AWARD: PREMIER COMPUTER CARE INC. OF PRINCE GEORGE AND KELEMENS KREATIONS INC. OF BURNS LAKE.

PREMIER COMPUTER CARE INC.
PREMIER COMPUTER CARE INC. Provides personal computer service door-to-door assisting computer owners with setup and maintenance. The company also provides education about the dangers of Internet spyware, adware and wireless communications and assistance and advice about technology purchases and installation.

KELEMENS KREATIONS INC.
KELEMENS KREATIONS INC. developed and attained patents for a unique shock-absorbing shovel called the impact eliminator. This product reduces injury rates. Retail sales reached $1 million the first year. Applications include landscaping, roofing, gardening, tree planting and even adaptations in mining, forestry and snow removal. Future plans include global marketing.

MANUFACTURING INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF KPMG IS STANLEY MITCHELL, C.A. - SENIOR PRINCIPAL OF KPMG CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS.

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE GREENSMART HOMES OF DAWSON CREEK.

Greensmart homes in Dawson Creek started in the last 2 years. The company has developed and produced homes made of structural insulated panels. The technology used is an enhanced system of glues that allows a building to be made from two sheets of panel board with a 6" styrofoam core. The innovation in glue as well as to develop panels of the size of 28' x 8' has never been done before. Currently the firm has 75 employees working out of an old LP site by the DC airport and have plans to open up into packaged homes for china. The strength of the structures is such that one of their buildings in the United States survived a tornado! The home was moved, but was completely intact - it was just lifted by crane back onto its foundation!

TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR AWARD

PRESENTING THIS AWARD ON BEHALF OF THE PRINCE GEORGE FREE PRESS IS - DARLENE OSBORNE, GENERAL MANAGER

THE 2007 NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THE CANADIAN WOOD PELLET ASSOCIATION - PRINCE GEORGE.

For Northern BC, the Canadian Wood Pellet Association has helped develop sector wide R+D that has advanced the entire Canadian industry. Given that the head office of the association is in Prince George, the benefits of this entire industry are centered around Northern BC. Currently the sector is growing at a rate of 50% per year and currently directly employs over 350 people. Exports have just crossed 2 million tons per year from zero a mere 8 years ago! Estimated direct revenues are in the $50m range from what was once a waste product!

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