2013 DigiTech Award winners

Anyone who has sent an email, perused an e-newsletter, made an online purchase or commented on Twitter or Facebook knows that digital technology is an increasingly pervasive part of our lives. More and more, businesses are reaping the benefits of digital marketing, while still maintaining their presence in traditional print advertising venues.

With this in mind, Kootenay Business presents our first annual Kootenay DiGi-Tech Awards. We invited readers to vote online (naturally!) and are happy to present the results here. It should come as no surprise that many of the winners already have a well-earned reputation as exceptional businesses. Some of the winners are found on digital-only sites, while others make themselves known across numerous platforms, including a strong print presence.

The big winner in the East Kootenay proved to be E-KNOW (East Kootenay News Online Weekly), while in the West Kootenay, Bumblebee Toys was a multi-category winner.

Thanks to all who participated in this first annual contest, and congratulations to all the winners.

East Kootenay | West Kootenay

East Kootenay winners

Overall Website
Platinum: www.e-know.ca
Gold: www.kootenayice.net
Silver: www.genexmarketing.com
Bronze: www.PropertyGuys.com
eNewsletter
Platinum: www.e-know.ca
Gold: www.kootenaybiz.com
Silver: www.wildsight.ca
Bronze: www.goldenchamber.bc.ca
Facebook Page
Platinum: www.facebook.com/e-know.ca
Gold: www.facebook.com/EKPGuys
Silver: www.facebook.com/mistayalodgeandalpinetours
Bronze: www.facebook.com/pages/MJs-Floral-Gifts
Twitter Feed
Platinum: twitter.com/EKPGuys
Gold: twitter.com/eastknow
Silver: twitter.com/kootbusiness
Bronze: twitter.com/WHLKootenayICE
Web Designer/Developer
Platinum: www.genexmarketing.com
Gold: www.wigwammedia.ca
Silver: www.storyco.ca
Bronze: www.clarismedia.com
Website Use of Photography
Platinum: www.e-know.ca
Gold: www.PropertyGuys.com
Silver: www.snapeastkootenay.com
Bronze: www.cranbrookphoto.com
News Website
Platinum: www.e-know.ca
Gold: www.dailytownsman.com
Silver: www.Fernie.com
Bronze: www.snowvalleynews.ca
Classified Ad Website
Platinum: www.kijiji.ca
Gold: www.e-know.ca
Silver: www.bcclassified.com
Bronze: www.OurFernie.com
Restaurant Website
Platinum: www.allegrarestaurant.com
Gold: www.spicehut.co
Silver: www.pedalandtap.com
Bronze: www.loafbakery.ca
Auto Dealer Website
Platinum: www.springhonda.ca
Gold: www.northstargm.com
Silver: www.alpinetoyota.com
Bronze: www.fernieford.com
Municipality Website
Platinum: www.cranbrook.ca
Gold: city.kimberley.bc.ca
Silver: www.fernie.ca
Bronze: www.sparwood.ca
Accommodations Website
Platinum: www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com
Gold: www.ElizabethLakeLodge.com
Silver: www.heathermountainlodge.com
Bronze: www.wasalakeresort.com
Golf Course Website
Platinum: www.steugene.ca
Gold: www.wildstonegolf.com
Silver: www.bootleggapgolf.com
Bronze: www.copperpointgolf.com
Resort/Tourism Website
Platinum: www.tourismfernie.com
Gold: www.ElizabethLakeLodge.com
Silver: www.tourismgolden.com
Bronze: www.tobycreekadventures.com
Real Estate Website
Platinum: www.PropertyGuys.com
Gold: www.cranbrookproperties.com (Jason Wheeldon)
Silver: www.fernierealestate.com
Bronze: www.century21.ca (Creston)
Service Industry Website
Platinum: www.newdawndevelopments.com
Gold: www.teck.com
Silver: www.warwick-interiors.com
Bronze: www.bcbridgebuilder.com
Retailer Website
Platinum: www.tamarackcentre.ca
Gold: www.bedroomfurnituregalleries.ca
Silver: www.EdgeOWorld.net/bc
Bronze: www.mjsfloral.com
Professional Services Website
Platinum: www.fernielaw.com
Gold: www.falkins.com
Silver: www.bakerhilldental.ca
Bronze: www.tanglefootvets.com
Recreational Property Website
Platinum: www.forestcrowne.ca
Gold: www.bighornmeadows.ca
Silver: www.discoverkoocanusa.com
Bronze: www.highcountryproperties.com
Financial Institution Website
Platinum: www.ekccu.com
Gold: www.CIBC.com (Cranbrook)
Silver: www.kscu.com
Bronze: www.bmo.com (Cranbrook)
Financial Planner Website
Platinum: www.investorsgroup.com
Gold: www.sunlife.ca (Cranbrook)
Silver: www.ekccu.com
Bronze: www.bmo.com
Mobile App
Platinum: www.kootenayrockies.mobi
Gold: East Kootenay Community Credit Union mobile app
Silver: Kijiji Free Local Classifieds
Bronze: BetterBook mobile app
Blog
Platinum: www.mommysweird.com
Gold: jeffbromley.blogspot.com
Silver: machavok.wordpress.com
Bronze: livablecranbrook.blogspot.com
Internet Service Provider
Platinum: www.shaw.ca
Gold: www.telus.com
Silver: www.wenmargraphics.com
Bronze: www.elkvalley.net
E-commerce Website
Platinum: whimsicalpublishingblog.wordpress.com
Gold: www.tigzdesigns.com
Silver: www.91sheep.ca
Bronze: www.bmo.com
YouTube Video
Platinum: Fernie From The Air
Gold: Mistaya Lodge (Golden)
Silver: Six in the Stix, Favorit-Cycle (Cranbrook)

West Kootenay winners

Overall Website
Platinum: www.bumblebeetoys.com
Gold: www.netidea.com
Silver: www.boundarysentinel.com
Bronze: www.trailtimes.ca
eNewsletter
Platinum: www.bumblebeetoys.com
Gold: www.endlessharvest.com
Silver: www.mothernaturescastlegar.com
Bronze: www.discovernelson.com
Facebook Page
Platinum: www.facebook.com/bumblebeetoys
Gold: www.facebook.com/barksnrec
Silver: www.facebook.com/bigredcatskiing
Bronze: www.facebook.com/StripesGear
Twitter Feed
Platinum: twitter.com/bumblebeetoys
Gold: twitter.com/barksnrec
Silver: twitter.com/BCHLSmokeEaters
Bronze: twitter.com/MyTownCastlegar
Web Designer/Developer
Platinum: www.redesigned.com
Gold: www.procreativedesign.ca
Silver: www.empire-newmedia.com
Bronze: www.monasheemountainmultimedia.com
Website Use of Photography
Platinum: www.doellphoto.com
Gold: www.bumblebeetoys.com
Silver: www.redresort.com
Bronze: www.bigcranium.com
News Website
Platinum: www.boundarysentinel.com
Gold: www.castlegarsource.com
Silver: www.rosslandtelegraph.com
Bronze: www.tmtv.net/newsroom.html
Classified Ad Website
Platinum: www.pennywiseads.com
Gold: www.kijiji.ca
Silver: www.usedkootenays.com
Bronze: www.ilovenelson.com
Restaurant Website
Platinum: www.allseasonscafe.com
Gold: www.clubelement.ca
Silver: www.nealyobriens.com
Bronze: www.castlegarmealdelivery.ca
Auto Dealer Website
Platinum: www.glacierhonda.ca
Gold: www.amford.com
Silver: www.kalawsky.com
Bronze: www.championgm.com
Municipality Website
Platinum: www.castlegar.ca
Gold: www.rossland.ca
Silver: www.nelson.ca
Bronze: www.trail.ca
Accommodations Website
Platinum: www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com
Gold: www.humehotel.com
Silver: www.bavarianlodge.kaslo.com
Bronze: www.beachtaghum.com
Golf Course Website
Platinum: www.redstoneresort.com
Gold: www.granitepointe.ca
Silver: www.littlebeargolf.net
Bronze: www.fauquiergolf.com
Resort/Tourism Website
Platinum: www.discovernelson.com
Gold: www.christinalakevacation.com
Silver: www.seerevelstoke.com
Bronze: www.nelsonkootenaylake.com
Real Estate Website
Platinum: www.kootenayhomes.com (Century 21, Trail)
Gold: www.century21.ca (Castlegar)
Silver: www.christinalakerealestate.bc.ca
Bronze: www.nelsonbcrealestate.com
Service Industry Website
Platinum: www.pennywiseads.com
Gold: www.snowballventures.com
Silver: www.wsaeng.ca
Bronze: www.aeonstudio.ca
Retailer Website
Platinum: www.bumblebeetoys.com
Gold: www.homegoodsfurniture.com
Silver: www.sweetwaterpromos.com
Bronze: www.boomtownsports.com
Professional Services Website
Platinum: www.mcewenlawco.com
Gold: www.kscu.com (Insurance)
Silver: www.jbsbiz.net
Bronze: www.PropertyGuys.com
Recreational Property Website
Platinum: www.PropertyGuys.com
Gold: www.twinbaysvillage.ca
Silver: www.christinalake.com
Bronze: carlrankin.com
Financial Institutions Website
Platinum: www.kscu.com
Gold: www.nelsoncu.com
Silver: www.gfdscu.com
Financial Planner Website
Platinum: www.kscu.com
Gold: www.woodgundy.com
Silver: www.kfsinc.ca
Bronze: www.nelsoncu.com
Mobile App
Platinum: www.cartolinaapps.com
Gold: Nelson Credit Union mobile app
Silver: Kootenay Savings Credit Union (Castlegar) mobile app
Blog
Platinum: www.bumblebeetoys.com
Gold: www.inthekoots.com
Silver: blog.nrgenterprises.com
Bronze: www.sqmerritt.com
Internet Service Provider
Platinum: www.shaw.ca
Gold: www.telus.com
Silver: www.secure-by-design.com
Bronze: www.netidea.com
E-Commerce Website
Platinum: www.bumblebeetoys.com
Gold: www.stripesgear.com
Silver: www.cartolinacards.com
Bronze: www.heritagecreditunion.ca
YouTube Video
Platinum: Red Sucks, Red Resort (Rossland)