SUNDRE — The plug was pulled on the annual Sundre Business Awards as a result of the pandemic.
“We decided not to do an awards event this year,” said Monica St. Dennis, Sundre & District Chamber of Commerce president.
St. Dennis cited the logistical hurdles imposed by COVID-19 recommended safety guidelines and restrictions as the primary cause behind the decision.
However, she added the board brainstormed a couple of ideas that member businesses might appreciate or derive value from.
The result of bouncing ideas around, she said, was for the chamber to cover the cost of advertising member business for a week on the highly visible digital display at the Main Avenue and Centre Street traffic lights coming into town from the east.
“All of our business members with the chamber will have their names on that sign," she said.
Although a precise timeline was still being worked out when she spoke with The Albertan last week, St. Dennis said the digital display would be promoting the local member businesses before the end of the month.
The chamber’s membership has remained largely stable, and the board — still conducting regular meetings in person at the Visitor Information Centre — continues to take it one day at a time while keeping a watchful eye out for any updates from the provincial government with regards to recommended guidelines, she said.
Small Business Week this year takes place Oct. 18-24.