Local businesses were centre stage at the annual Lakeland Business of the Year Awards.
The event brought the community together to see who would be honoured at the Cold Lake Energy Centre on Friday, Oct. 25.
The event is a partnership between the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce and the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Commissionaires, Buds N Blooms, Cashco Financial, and Go Travel with Marlene and Sherry were among those who walked the red carpet to accept the evening’s highest distinctions.
Presented the award for Bonnyville’s Outstanding Not-For-Profit was the Bonnyville and District SPCA.
Mereline Griffith, SPCA president, described the accolade as exciting and rewarding.
“There was a lot of good nominees for (the category). There are so many absolutely wonderful not-for-profit organizations in Bonnyville that made it stiff competition. We feel very honoured,” she expressed.
Simply having their name put forward was confirmation of just how much everything the shelter does is appreciated.
“We’re doing a job that’s not always easy, especially for our staff. It’s not always about cuddling kittens and playing with the puppies. It’s a lot of dirty and sad work. Sometimes it’s tough and hard, but we do it for the animals and we’re proud to be doing that kind of service in the community.”
Pevach Corp. was named this year’s Outstanding Large Business in Bonnyville.
The family unit working at the core of his company is one of the reasons why owner Shawn Pevach believes they received the nod.
“When you put your name in your company name, it puts a little bit more pressure on you to do a good job,” he said.
Pevach was surprised when his business was called.
“There were a lot of good contenders, and it seemed like a long-shot, but it’s pretty awesome,” he exclaimed.
Sherri Buckle, executive director of the Cold Lake Chamber, agreed the competition was tough this year.
“There were some very strong businesses, and I’m very glad I wasn’t on the judging panel,” she noted.
Acting executive director for the Bonnyville Chamber Megan Wakefield recalled, “I did get a lot of feedback from our judges that it was a little harder this year just because there’s a lot of great businesses in the community.”
When it came to the other winners of the evening, the distinction for Outstanding Not-For-Profit for Cold Lake went to the Commissionaires, and Lakeland Connect Media Inc. was chosen for Community Involvement. The Exemplary Customer Service awards went to Cindy Wakefield with ASTEC Safety for Bonnyville and Ageless Living employee Charlene Brown. It was Buds N Blooms who came out on top for Outstanding Small Business in Bonnyville and Cashco Financial for Cold Lake. The final distinctions of the evening were given to Go Travel with Marlene and Sherry in Bonnyville, and CM Cleaning Ltd. in Cold Lake were this year’s Most Promising New Businesses.
While the focus of the evening is the awards, the BOYAs also give everyone a night out on the town.
“We recognize businesses in our community who deserve to be recognized, especially through the hard economic times,” detailed Wakefield. “These businesses are still present, they’ve still been supporting our community, so this is a good time to come together and recognize those businesses.”
The annual event allows residents to offer their appreciation to local companies who go the extra mile.
“I think it’s something important that we do as a chamber of commerce, representing small business, that we recognize that, and allow a means for the community to come in and be able to nominate a business that they’ve had great service at and somebody that they want to continue to do business with.”
