Personal recommendations are said to be the number one driver of consumer purchase decisions at every stage of the purchase cycle, across multiple product categories, including Business-to-Business enterprises. And there isn’t anywhere that makes building personal and business relationships quite as accessible as the Spokane area. We asked our readers to tell us who they appreciate doing business with, who they turn to when they need the support, products, resources and expertise of another business. Read on for this year’s list of businesses that hit gold, silver and bronze with their clients in 2016 in Inland Business Catalyst’s Best in B2B Awards. Be sure to join us as we celebrate—and network—during the awards trade show on January 19 in the Bank of America lobby, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is complimentary.

Best Accounting Firm

Gold: Moss Adams, LLP

A leader in assurance, tax, consulting, risk management, transaction and private client services, Moss Adams has a staff of more than 2,500 that includes more than 290 partners. They focus on serving public, private, and not-for-profit enterprises across the nation through specialized industry and service teams.

Silver: Eide Bailly

Bronze: Fruci & Associates 

Best Advertising Agency

Gold: QUINN

The team at QUINN is composed of advertising, marketing and media professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds. Their principals have worked on global brands and national advertising campaigns, but they have intimate and thorough understanding of the intricacies of local marketing in the Northwest. Their team has won national awards for television and print creative, but they love to create effective search results ads, social media posts, and product/price print ads.

Silver: Propaganda Creative Group

Bronze: BHW1

Best Business Banking
Gold: INB

Inland Northwest Bank was founded in 1989 by a group of local business people who were unhappy with the fact that Spokane headquartered banks were getting gobbled up by big out-of-state banks. They felt strongly that being headquartered here enables a bank to be more responsive to the needs of the local community. Total assets have grown from less than $4 million in 1989 to nearly $610 million today. While they offer a full complement of competitively priced personal loans, the large majority of their loans have historically been to small and medium sized businesses.

Silver: Washington Trust Bank 

Bronze: Umpqua Bank 

Best Business Insurance Firm

Gold: North Town Insurance

An independently owned and operated agency delivering comprehensive insurance and risk management solutions serving individuals, families, and businesses since 1989 throughout Eastern Washington. They offer a wide variety of personal and commercial insurance programs, each of which they adapt to the needs of individual clients. Home, auto, life and business are among some of the basic essential programs they offer. They also offer specially designed programs for specific industries, including farming, contracting, trucking and special event insurance.

Silver: Allstate

Bronze: Payne West Insurance

Best Business Law Firm

Gold: Winston & Cashatt Lawyers

Winston & Cashatt’s history began more than 50 years ago with the founding of two separate law firms in Spokane. Patrick Winston and Leo Cashatt respectively developed firms dedicated to the highest level of legal practice. In 1971, the two firms merged. Many of their clients have been with Winston & Cashatt for more than 40 years. As a full service law firm, they represent businesses and individuals who reflect the diversity of the Northwest, from the local entrepreneur to the large multi-national corporation.

Silver: Witherspoon Kelley 

Bronze: Layman Law Firm 

Best Business Security 

System Provider
Gold: Allied Fire & Security

Allied is a full-service home and business security systems and services provider, protecting communities in the Pacific Northwest for more than 65 years. Their experienced security professionals can help you find the right solutions for your home or business. They service most areas of Washington, Oregon and Northern Idaho, with branches in Spokane, Seattle, and Portland.

Silver: ADT Security Services 

Bronze: Total Security Inc.

Best Business Startup 

Gold: Remedy Kitchen and Tavern

Conveniently located off of 38th and Grand, Remedy offers a full service dining room, a 24 tap bar, a banquet hall, seasonal rooftop and patio seating. Whether you’re hungry for a tasty burger or something more heart healthy, they’ve got you covered. Their kitchen opens at 8 a.m. on the weekends for Brunch, and 11 a.m. through the rest of the week.

Silver: dot.INK

Bronze: Make Waves Collective 

Best Catering Business 
Gold: Beacon Hill Catering & Events 

This family owned business provides exceptional catering and a distinctive venue for their clients and guests. They cater special occasions at their spacious clubhouse and gardens that overlook the city and also at offsite locations. They are committed to producing delicious food, providing attentive service, and are always searching for the unexpected touches that make for a remarkable event.

Silver: DelecTable Catering 

Bronze: Fery’s Catering 

Best Collection Agency

Gold: Bonded Adjustment Company 

Bonded Adjustment is a professional full-service collection agency locally owned and operated since 1916. They have assisted clients with collection needs throughout Spokane, Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. As members of the American and Washington Collectors Association, their collection territory is nationwide, covering all 50 states and Canada via a network of Forwarding Agents (collection agencies) that can handle your account locally in their area.

Silver: Automated Accounts, Inc.

Bronze: CBS Collections, Inc.

Best Commercial 

Architectural Firm

Gold: HDG Architecture 

Hurtado | Hissong Architecture [HDG] is a multi-faceted architecture and design studio with experience in a variety of project types such as commercial, multi and single family residential, mixed-use, hospitality and restaurant design. Their team’s diverse set of skills can create and materialize every aspect of a project from start to finish; architecture, interior design, branding and graphic design are all in-house assets, affording them the level of control required for their pursuit of an integrated, cohesive and appealing design solution.

Silver: Steven Meek Architects 

Bronze: ALSC Architects

Best Construction Company

Gold: Baker Construction & Development, Inc.

Baker Construction & Development is licensed in 12 states and British Columbia. They are one of the premier construction and development companies in the western United States and are committed to providing each client with superior service and construction. Clients include the Federal Government and Fortune 500 companies including Starbucks, Rite Aid, Walgreens, CENEX, US Bank and AutoZone and marque clients like Goodwill Industries, Washington Federal, AVISTA and many others.

Silver: Garco Construction

Bronze: Walls Construction Corp.

Best Commercial Landscape Firm 

Gold: Land Expressions

Land Expressions is a team of landscape architects, designers, artists, craftsmen and construction managers, headquartered in Spokane. Since 1987 they have been envisioning and building exceptional outdoor living and entertainment spaces for discerning homeowners, commercial building owners, developers, and creators of public space throughout the western states.

Silver: Greenleaf Landscaping, Inc.

Bronze: Clearwater Summit Group, Inc. 

Best Commercial Photographer

Gold: Schindler Commercial Photography

Schindler Commercial Photography has more than 15 years in business and more than 20 in the industry. Specializing in executive and business portraiture along with commercial advertising photography for advertising agencies, architects, interior design firms, and editorial features.

Silver: Diane Maehl Photography 

Bronze: Rogue Heart Media 

Best Commercial Realty Company

Gold: NAI Black 

Originally founded in 1958 as James S. Black & Company, NAI Black has more than five decades of commercial real estate leadership in our area. Under the direction of CEO David R. Black since 1984, NAI Black delivers cutting-edge services of the highest quality to its customers and serves a wide spectrum of real estate needs. NAI Black serves clients in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and Montana. Their affiliation with NAI Global allows them to reach beyond the local market and provide services to clients on a regional, national, and global basis.

Silver: Kiemle & Hagood Company 

Bronze: Cantu Commercial Properties, LLC

Best Computer Repair Company

Gold: Perfection PC

Perfection PC is known for their fast, friendly, and knowledgeable computer technicians servicing Spokane, Washington and outlying areas for more than 16 years.

Silver: Friendly Computers 

Bronze: Intrinium 

Best Credit Card 

Processing Company

Gold: INB

INB offers the technology and a dedicated team to help you accept all forms of payment including traditional debit and credit cards, EMV chip cards, tap cards, and mobile wallets in your store, as well as safe and secure payments via your business website and your mobile device (to accept debit or credit card payments).

Silver: Washington Trust Bank Merchant Services 

Bronze: Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.

Best Credit Union 

Gold: Spokane Teachers Credit Union 

Founded in 1934, STCU is one of the largest and most successful financial institutions in the Inland Northwest. As a $2.2 billion member-owned financial cooperative, they focus on local business owners who share their desire to sustain a strong economy and to give back to the community.

Silver: Numerica Credit Union 

Bronze: BECU 

Best Dry Cleaning

Gold: Clarks Cleaners
Clarks Cleaners is a full service dry cleaning business locally owned and operated for more than 40 years. Specialty services include wedding gowns, leather care, sewing, pressing, and next day rush.

Silver: Next Day Dry Cleaning 

Bronze: Beacon Cleaners and Laundry 

Best Employment Agency

Gold: Provisional Recruiting + Staffing 

Since 1994, Provisional has been the Inland Northwest’s leader in specialized recruiting and staffing services, employing more than 15,000 contract workers and placing more than 8,000 direct-hire professionals with area companies. Provisional uses a consultative approach to provide customized solutions, which includes temporary, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire placements.

Silver: Aspen Personnel Services, Inc. 

Bronze: Humanix 

Best Engineering Firm

Gold: DCI Engineers 

Mark D’Amato and Guy Conversano founded DCI in 1988, beginning the adventure out of a basement. From the start, they were committed to creating the kind of environment that would enable employees to thrive and make clients want to come back. DCI is based in Seattle, with offices in Spokane, Portland, San Diego, Austin, Irvine, San Francisco, Anchorage and Los Angeles. They are licensed in all 50 states and most Canadian provinces.

Silver: Coffman Engineers 

Bronze: TD&H Engineering 

Best Event Facility 

Gold: Spokane Convention Center

Built specifically to host events, the Spokane Convention Center is the  region’s premier choice for conventions, consumer shows, banquets, meetings and social events. With the completion of the 2015 expansion the Spokane Convention Center has more than 650,000 square feet of user-friendly space including a 120,000 square foot exhibit hall.

Silver: Beacon Hill Catering & Events

Bronze: The Lincoln Center 

Best Florist

Gold: Appleway Florist & Greenhouse

Established and family owned since 1952, Appleway Florist and Greenhouses specializes in fresh flower bouquets, basket gardens, custom silks, and sympathy arrangements. Appleway has more than 30,000 square feet of greenhouses growing many varieties of hanging baskets and bedding plants.

Silver: Liberty Park Florist 

Bronze: Peters and Sons Flowers & Gifts 

Best Gift Basket/

Gift Service Business 

Gold: Simply Northwest 

Simply Northwest was founded in May of 1989 as a home-based gift basket service to help companies show appreciation for their employees and clients. The business grew quickly and soon required a warehouse space for storage and assembly. As demand rose from non-corporate clientele, they opened a gift boutique in 1994 at the current location. Simply Northwest also offers printed and etched promotional items for your business or event; convention and event execution services; and in-home décor consultations.

Silver: Edible Arrangements 

Bronze: Made in Washington Stores 

Best High-Tech Firm

Gold: Itron, Inc. 

IN 1977, Itron was founded by a small group of innovative engineers intent on finding more efficient ways to read meters in Hauser Lake, Idaho. Itron has been a technology leader in the energy and water markets ever since, and works to help their customers create a more resourceful world, using big ideas and continuous innovation.

Silver: Next IT

Bronze: etailz

Best Local Business Man

Gold: Walt Worthy 

Walt Worthy is a man of vision with the aptitude to bring his plans to fruition. Best known for pouring his revitalization magic into The Davenport Hotel and recently developing The Grand Hotel, Worthy’s investments and developments have included condos, storage facilities, student housing, commercial buildings and office complexes.

Silver: Tom Simpson 

Bronze: Dave Black

Best Local Business Woman

Gold: Bonnie Quinn-Clausen 

Bonnie Quinn-Clausen is the owner and principal of QUINN. Her 25 years of advertising expertise is the result of her passion to empower her clients to succeed. Bonnie has worked in almost every business category all across the United States. Her leadership has led her clients to greater market share, and she is often recognized as one of the top businesswomen in the region.

Silver: Melissa Murphy 

Bronze: Heather Hanley 

Best Maintenance & 

Janitorial Service

Gold: ABM

Since 1909, ABM has been dedicated to extending the life of their clients’ building assets and providing an exceptional experience for customers. Their mission is to build value for your business by helping you decrease operating costs, reduce customer complaints, and improve your customer’s overall experience.

Silver: Cleanworks

Bronze: Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems 

Best Office Building 

Gold: The Paulsen Center

From the private, underground parking garage, to the prestigious penthouse at the top of the building, the floors of The Paulsen Center offer unique amenities that make doing business there easy. Professions offered in the building include a bank, attorneys, financial advisors, insurance providers, a dentist, a massage therapist, personal trainers, an eye doctor and state-of-the-art tech companies.

Silver: Bank of America—Unico Properties, LLC

Bronze: Rock Pointe Corporate Center—Unico Properties, LLC

Best Office Design Company 

Gold: Contract Resource Group

Whether you are equipping a multi-story major headquarters office building, establishing a medical center, setting up an entrepreneurial enterprise or just need to add to an existing facility, the Contract Resource Group team tailors to your individual project. They assist in all phases of your interiors projects, from the initial analysis, through planning and design, budget development, order entry, project management, delivery/installation, and ongoing facility maintenance.

Silver: HDG Architecture 

Bronze: Wallflowers Design Center 

Best Office Furniture 

Gold: Davis Office Furniture 

Davis Office Furniture has been providing innovative workplace solutions for more than 20 years. Since their doors opened in 1993, they have grown to be the largest, pre-owned dealer in the Greater Spokane area. With the Inland Northwest’s largest showroom at 30,000 square feet, they offer a “Touch and Feel” buying experience. They offer products and services that complement every part of your work environment.

Silver: Contract Resource Group 

Bronze: Kershaw’s, Inc. 

Best Office Park

Gold: Spokane Business & Industrial Park 

The Park is the region’s largest employment center with more than 120 resident companies employing more than 4,500 people. More than 4.5 million square feet of both dock-high and grade-level buildings rank The Park as one of the largest business and industrial complexes in the county.

Silver: Meadowwood Technology Campus—Greenstone Corp

Bronze: Iron Bridge Office Campus

Best Office Supply Business

Gold: Kershaw’s, Inc. 

Kershaw’s is big enough to get you the right product at the right price, yet small enough to be flexible to the way you do business. Founded in Spokane in 1900, Kershaw’s has been providing products and services to the Spokane business community ever since. There have been many changes throughout the last 100 years, but their commitment to service has remained steadfast.

Silver: Office Depot

Bronze: Staples 

Best Place to Host 

a Company Party

Gold: Clinkerdagger—Restaurants Unlimited, Inc. 

The tradition has continued for more than 40 years at this Spokane landmark overlooking the majestic Spokane River and city skyline. This is the perfect place for a special business occasion.

The classic American grill artfully serves quality steaks, and fresh and innovative seafood with enthusiasm by their experienced restaurant team.

Silver: The Historic Davenport Hotel 

Bronze: Chateau Rive at the Flour Mill

 

Best Printing Company

Gold: Plese Printing & Marketing  

Plese Printing & Marketing is a state-of the-art, full service, commercial printing company specializing in design services, sheet-fed full color printing, spot color printing, high speed digital black and white copying, high speed digital color copying, binding/finishing and complete in-house direct mail marketing. Owner Kim Plese has more than 25 years of experience in marketing and commercial printing with valued clients in Washington, Idaho, Alaska, California, Tennessee, New York and Missouri.

Silver: Mojo Print 

Bronze: Garland Printing Company 

Best Promotional 

Products Provider

Gold: NBS Promos, Inc. 

With more than 75 years combined experience in the promotional products industry, owners Randy and Nellie Spencer know which suppliers are going to have the correct balance of quality products, imprint capabilities, production time, and reliability. With their one-stop shop approach and more than 850,000 different items, their team will assist you in finding the perfect product for the right event, promotion, or employee gift.
Silver: Brand It Promotional Products 

Bronze: Adventures in Advertising—Fitzgerald Enterprises

Best Public Relations Agency

Gold: DH 

For nearly 20 years DH has blended advertising, public relations, research and design. They’ve built a team of people who work across disciplines: advertising, PR, public affairs, brand strategy, and research, which helps them connect the dots in ways others can’t. Which means more effective marketing programs, big ideas grounded in smart strategy, and powerful ideas communicated in simple ways.

Silver: QUINN

Bronze: Bozzi Media 

Best Restaurant for 

a Business Lunch

Gold: The Onion Taphouse & Grill
Established in 1978, the Onion is the grand dean of gourmet burgers and casual family dining in Spokane. With the addition of Area 51 Taphouse (with, yes, 51 different beers—and some hard ciders, too), you may never want to leave. From gourmet burgers and sandwiches to pizza, salads and their namesake beer-battered onion rings, The Onion Taphouse & Grill pays attention to details and creates the bulk of their menu from scratch.

Silver: Hay J’s Bistro 

Bronze: Anthony’s at Spokane Falls 

Best Sign Company 

Gold: Mountain Dog Sign Company 

Spreading your message is a crucial part of being successful. Mountain Dog Sign Company offers an array of services to help clients achieve precisely what they want and need. They also work with non-commercial clients who want a custom, high-quality sign, banner, or graphic. All of their work is customized for their clients, nothing is pulled off the shelf.

Silver: Instant Sign Factory 

Bronze: Zome Design LLC

Best Telecommunications Firm

Gold: Communication Management Partners 

Communication Management Partners (CMP) are the experts at navigating the gap between telecom providers and business needs. With a combined experience of more than 75 years in the telecom industry, their people know how to get the service you want at the prices you need.

Silver: Ptera

Bronze: Access Unified Networks

Best Trade Show Displays

Gold: Skyline Inland Northwest 

For more than seven years, Skyline Inland Northwest has been the exclusive dealer for Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, providing innovative exhibit design, dynamic marketing solutions, and high quality displays and graphics. Maximizing client’s trade show results and minimizing stress are top priorities for their team of expert designers, consultants and project managers.

Silver: Zome Design LLC

Bronze: NBS Promos, Inc.

Best Web Design Business

Gold: Well Dressed Walrus
Founded in 2010, Well Dressed Walrus has been building websites and a strategic online presence for dozens and dozens of small businesses and organizations dating back to 1998. Their core team members have more than 24 years of combined experience, and love keeping up with the fast pace of the web solutions industry.

Silver: Platinum Passports Marketing 

Bronze: Design Spike, Inc. 

Best Wholesale 

Coffee Service 

Gold: Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters

Drive-thru. Restaurant chain. Regional Airline. Wherever you serve coffee, Thomas Hammer hopes you’ll be serving Hammer Coffee. And he’s sure your customers will thank you for it. In Spokane since 1993 and rocking roasted beans ever since, the Hammer has become one of the most recognized brands.

Silver: Tom Sawyer Country Coffee

Bronze: Indaba Coffee