With nominations for the first-ever Lakeland Business of the Year awards now well underway, event organizers are starting to look forward to what they're hoping will be the best celebration yet.
For the past two years, the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce has recognized the local business sector for their hard work and dedication in providing much-needed services to the community, but this year the organization will be teaming up with the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce to recognize those most deserving throughout the entire Lakeland.
“This year we decided it was time we did things a little differently, so we will be amalgamating with the Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce to introduce the first-ever Lakeland Business of the Year awards,” said Megan Naylor, Executive Director at the Bonnyville Chamber od Commerce. “We've always worked closely with our colleagues in Cold Lake and we believe this is optimal for our region to work together and bring a better event to our region.”
This year, local businesses will again be judged in six different categories – most outstanding large business, most outstanding small business, most promising new business, the community involvement award, customer service excellence and most outstanding not-for-profit business. According to Naylor, this year's awards will see businesses in Bonnyville and Cold Lake judged and awarded separately, with fully combined awards ceremony beginning next year.
Last year's event saw the prize for most outstanding large business awarded to Thinkwerx, while April Charrois took home the most outstanding small business award for her business Encore Hair. Pivotal Safety was named most promising new business, while Bonnyville Dodge was commended for its efforts in health and safety. The Bonnyville Vet Clinic was awarded for going above and beyond when it comes to customer service, and the Bonnyville Nouvelle collected the community involvement award.
Naylor said there were plenty of businesses in town deserving of recognition and encouraged local residents to visit the chamber's website to participate in nominations.
“Bonnyville is a community with some tremendous businesses and I think it's important that we get together on an annual basis and really just appreciate and give recognition to those businesses in our area that go above and beyond (for the good of the community),” Naylor said.
This year's Lakeland Business of the Year awards will take place October 18 at the Centennial Centre in Bonnyville. For more information, or to fill out a nomination form visit www.bonnyvillechamber.com. Nominations are due by August 15.
