Kelowna Chamber: Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, Big White Ski Resort Business Leader of the Year

Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President, Big White Ski Resort Ltd., has been named as the 2025 Business Leader of the Year by the Kelowna Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards independent judging panel. “We are delighted at the news and look forward to celebrating Michael’s accomplishments at our Awards Gala later this month, October 30, at the Delta Grand. We are already looking forward to Michael’s acceptance speech,” said Derek Gratz, Chamber President.

Michael J’s immediate reaction: “It is such an amazing honour to receive the 38th edition of the Kelowna business leader of the year from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. I consider myself in company that I've always been in awe of as I've been a member of this community since 1982. So many business leaders have set the path for others to achieve greatness and I'm thrilled to be in such amazing company. I fell in love with Kelowna the moment I rounded the corner and saw Lake Okanagan in the summer of 1982. I only wish my parents were alive to see this honour bestowed on their sixth son. I am humbled but not speechless.”

The Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards gala evening of sixteen award presentations will be capped off with honouring Ballingall’s leadership and accomplishments as the 38th recipient of the annual award. A respected leader in the tourism and hospitality industry, Michael J has dedicated his career to enhancing guest experiences, driving innovative marketing strategies, and expanding Big White’s global reach across North America, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Mexico.

After a successful tenure in Kelowna’s nightlife industry, he joined Big White Ski Resort in 1985 as Hospitality Manager of Snowshoe Sam's. His expertise in marketing and tourism development led him to work with the Schumann family at Mt. Hotham, Australia. Returning to Big White full-time in September of 1995, Michael has been instrumental in the resort’s growth.

Beyond his role at Big White, Michael J is deeply committed to tourism development in the Okanagan region. He serves as past-Chair of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Chair of the TELUS Interior and northern British Columbia Community Service Board, President of the Tourism Big White Society, Director Tourism Kelowna, Director and policy chair Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia.  Additionally, he is an active member of the Ski YLW Air Service Action Committee, advisor to the Canadian ski Council Board of Directors and a founding member of OkanaganBucketList.com.