Olds Auction Mart & Rosehill Auction Service Ltd. won the first-ever President's Award during the annual Olds & District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards gala, held Oct. 17 at the Alumni Centre.
Thirty nominations were received for business awards and 90 for exceptional customer service.
The Business of the Year Award for firms with 16 or more employees went to Westview Co-op. Ulry's Automotive & Brake won the Business of the Year Award for 15 or fewer employees.
Boomer Movers, which has only been in existence for less than two years, won the People's Choice Award.
The Exceptional Customer Service Award went to Pam Dhaliwal of Nulook Hair Salon.
Jensen's Men's Wear won the Community Spirit Award for for-profit firms. The Rotary Club of Olds received the Community Spirit Award for non-profits.
As he announced the President's Award, chamber president Mark Johnson said it goes to a business that provides outstanding support of the chamber and community.
He noted Olds Auction Mart & Rosehill Auction Service Ltd. was among the first businesses to join this edition of the chamber when it was formed 24 years ago.
Unfortunately, no one from the company was on hand to accept the award.
Johnson described the company as a "grounded piece of this community."
"They're here, we all know where they are and they do some wonderful work in the community; just supporting everything that happens here in Olds," he said.
During an interview with the Albertan, spokesman Danny Rosehill said the company was pleased to receive the award and expressed disappointment that they weren't able to receive it that night.
"We've got 4,200 head of cattle here today and we were working on them last night so we just couldn't get away," he said. "But like I say, we're certainly honoured to be the inaugural winner there. By golly, there's a lot of tough competition out there, so it feels pretty good."
Rosehill said they're proud to support the community — and the chamber.
"We believe in it all the way," he said.
Brian Hepp and his wife Melanie presented all the awards other than the President's Award.
"Westview Co-op has an unrivalled reputation for supporting both community and local producers, donating or volunteering for over 350 groups over the last year. The community can always count on the Co-op to help," Brian said, adding "profits from Westview are also invested back into the community with profit-sharing."
Westview Co-op general manager Dennis Laing accepted the award on behalf of the organization and thanked those who nominated the company.
"Especially thank you very much to the 259 team members who encompass Westview Co-op and made this possible as well as the support that they receive from their families back home, because without that support this would not be possible," Laing said.
Hepp said Ulry's Automotive & Brake has been serving the community for more than 80 years.
"Lloyd Ulry runs his family oriented business with a long history of supporting local community projects, sports and education," he said, adding Ulry is "proudest of surviving in these low economic times."
"I'd just like to thank the community for their support over, like they say, 80-plus years. I've been doing it for 47 years and I know my dad would be honoured for this and I thank all the voters," Ulry said.
Hepp noted Boomer Movers came on the scene in Olds in 2017.
Since then, he said, founders Robbin and Joy Corsiatto have "won the hearts of the community through their compassionate, caring and gentle approach to supporting families and individuals making the hard decisions of relocation and leaving their homes or moving to our community for school or work or retirement.
"Robbin and Joy have taken the time to listen and adjust decision-making facing to a new level in service and have earned accolades from both clients as well as three nominations."
"I just can't believe this happened after all these wonderful businesses were nominated," Robbin Corsiatto said. "At any rate, we really appreciate this. A new business only a year and a half and we hope to see lots more of you people and thanks again so much for the nominators."
Hepp described Community Spirit for Profit Award winners Jensen's Men's Wear as a business that "breathes the fire of enthusiasm into the Uptowne business district.
"Their leadership, commitment to supporting other businesses in Olds, the shop local promotion, and contributions to local charitable causes and youth is exemplary."
Melanie Hepp said the Rotary Club of Olds & District, winners of the Community Spirit not for Profit Award are "the prime driving force behind the new athletic park. The community is excited with the progress on this major project."
Rotary Club president Wayne Burgess thanked those who nominated them.
Burgess told the Albertan he was excited to see the club win the award.
"We're really, really pleased that we were recognized for what we're doing in the community," he said.
Brian Hepp noted the Exceptional Customer Service Award goes to an employee who provides the "wow" factor by providing service that is above and beyond what's expected.
Unfortunately winner Pam Dhaliwal of Nulook Hair Salon was not present to receive that award. But she told the Albertan afterward that she was "very grateful" for whoever nominated her.
Brian Hepp said Youth Employee of the Year winner Abbey Iverson of the Olds Regional Exhibition "is recognized for her passion for the agriculture industry and community.
"A true animal lover and knowledgeable, with rural roots, she showed a commitment to educating urban and rural consumers on livestock production," he added. "She proved a strong asset in event production, social media and administrative responsibilities."
Iverson thanked all those involved in her nomination, including officials at ORE.
"It was a great summer," she said.
Chamber president Mark Johnson thanked the crowd for coming out and supporting the event.
"The chamber really appreciates it," he said. "We love that the community supports the chamber as well as you do."
Mayor Michael Muzychka echoed that thought.
"Any time we can get out and celebrate small businesses in our town, of course we'll take that opportunity," he said.
Murray Elliott served as MC for the occasion.
At more than 200, the crowd this year was down from the more than 265 who attended last year.
"These are tough times. What a great crowd. We're a little down from last year, but thank you for coming out and thank you for supporting your chamber of commerce," Ellott said.
He thanked the chamber business awards committee, describing them as "great to work with."
"We get a lot done in short order and I think we could probably get a pipeline built if we had the opportunity," Elliott said, spurring some laughter.
