Untapped Awards Event 2022 Welcomed over 300 Guests across BC

On Sept 28^th, 2022, Open Door Group, in partnership with the Presidents Group and BC WiN welcomed over 300 guests across BC to join Untapped 2022- BC Workplace Inclusion Awards event. Among them were businesses of all sizes, individuals, Untapped award nominees, finalists, recipients, service providers, government representatives, industry experts, and press agencies… who gathered to celebrate moving the dial on disability inclusion in the workplace here in British Columbia. The event took place in-person at Parq Vancouver and live streamed at Open Door Group Facebook page.

This event was not possible without the valuable contribution from our presenters, speakers, sponsors, supportive partners, volunteers, and event attendees. We would like to thank Elder Dalannah Bowen for Land Acknowledgement, the Honorable Carla Qualtrough– Minister of Employment and Disability Inclusion & Alona Puehse for the meaningful Opening Remarks, Dan Coulter– Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility for a helpful and informative Welcome Remarks. We are also grateful to have Kristin Bower– Founding Partner at Leda HR as our MC, Yat Li– Senior Accessibility Consultant at Presidents Group & Jamie Miller-Dixon– Principal Consultant at MacLeod Silver HR Business Partner as our award presenters, Jim Meyer for a great live music performance, Lisa Beecroft– Co Chair of Presidents Group for an impactful Closing Remarks. Thank you- Untapped 2022 sponsors and supportive partners for your generous contribution. Thank you- Untapped attendees, award nominees & recipients to make Untapped Awards a memorable event. It was a wonderful opportunity to re-connect, meet new people, and share best practices on how to make our workplace more inclusive, diverse, and accessible for everyone!

This year, we were thrilled to receive 61 nominations across BC for Untapped Awards. Congratulations to all Untapped Award 2022 nominees, finalists, and recipients. Your efforts to build a more #diverse, #inclusive, and #equitable BC where everyone can thrive fuels a #barrierfree BC. To view the full list of Untapped 2022 Award nominees, top finalists, recipients, please visit this link

INCLUSION CHAMPION – Individual (Individual or Leadership)

• Award Recipient: Rebecca Paluch
• Award Finalists: Tess Menges, Taylor Chobotiuk

INCLUSIVE CULTURE CHAMPION – Non-Profit Organization & Public Sector

• Award Recipient: Canucks Autism Network
• Award Finalists: Binner’s Project, Vancouver Community College

INCLUSIVE CULTURE CHAMPION – Social Enterprise

• Award Recipient: Potluck Catering
• Award Finalists: Penticton and Area Cooperative Enterprises, Mission Possible

INCLUSIVE CULTURE CHAMPION – Small BC Business (1-99 employees)

• Award Recipient: Poco Return-It
• Award Finalists: Custom Craft Paint-Kamloops, Sunshine Coast Community Forest Firewood Program

INCLUSIVE CULTURE CHAMPION –Medium & Large BC Business (100+ employees)

• Award Recipient: Parq Vancouver
• Award Finalists: London Drugs– Richmond, Meridian Meats and Farm Market

INCLUSIVE CULTURE CHAMPION – Rising Star

• Award Recipient: Creative BC

Untapped photographer captured some great moments of the event. To view/ download your photos, please visit this link.

It will be great if you can help us spread the news on Untapped Awards by using hashtag: #Untappedawards Please ensure to tag us @OpenDoorGroup & @Accessibleemployers

Remember to check our Untapped website for more news on call for nominations, sponsorship opportunities, and 2023 Untapped event. Please don’t forget to check our innovative and free Disability Inclusive Employer Self-Assessment Tool to receive free report with resources and ways to improve DEI at your workplace: https://disabilityinclusion.ca/

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at Info@opendoorgroup.org.

We look forward to welcoming you to Untapped 2023 event!

-Jennifer Do, Open Door Group Communications & Marketing Manager-