The best of business was celebrated Thursday night in Humboldt.

The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce held their 18th annual Mark of Excellence Awards gala at the Uniplex.

Diamonds of Detroit owner Olivia Coffyne(pictured above with HDCC Vice-Preisdent Dan Torwalt) was a two time winner taking home the Young Entrepreneur and Marketing trophies.

She admits the night was a special one.

"It's overwhelming, gratitude to the community, just a really good feeling of happiness right now."

Over 30 nominees across ten categories were up for the annual business excellence honours.

Bella Vista Inn owner Judy Plag(pictured above Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer) took home the Large Business of the Year recognition.

"I have to tell you it is an amazing feeling. I came totally unprepared for us to win tonight. We were grouped in with such a great group of other businesses that I really didn't expect to be receiving the award. I'm just still shaking probably from excitement."

The rest of the winners are below:

Community Involvement Sobeys, Owners Dave and Joanna Doepker with Mayor Rob Muench

Service Prairie Deisel Owner Joey Dosch, with Scotiabank Manager Carl Eckl

Marketing Diamonds of Detroit Owner Olivia Coffyne wiht HDCC President Kim Mitchell

People's Choice Reel Attractions Owners Shannon Mae Beaurivage, Mike Yager with Bolt FM Manager Brian Kusch

Community Merit 1st New Westminster Scouts Leader Elan Buan with Natasha Paulsen representing Conexus Credit Union

New Business Humboldt Speech & Language Services Owner Erin Strueby with Humboldt Journal Editor Brent Fitzpatrick

Home Hardware was awarded the Community Builder honour, they were unavailable for a photo. Black Pepper Bar & Grill was named the Small Business winner, owner Nadeem Bhatti arrived later in the evening, he is pictured on the left of the group winners photo at the top of the page.

Also celebrated during the gala was the 2017 Business Hall of Fame inductees, Al Gaetz and Murray Stebbings. Former Mayor Malcolm Eaton was recognized as the 2016 Citizen of the Year.

Al Gaetz with Towalt and Mitchell.

Members of the Stebbings family were on hand for the honour of Murray.

Former Mayor Eaton with Fitzpatrick.