The Olds and District Chamber of Commerce unveiled nominees for its annual business awards Wednesday, Sept. 24.
They were unveiled during the chamber's annual Business, Beer & Blue Jeans event at Just Jack's in the Pomeroy Inn & Suites. Ninety-seven people attended the event.
The chamber has received nominations for 64 businesses, organizations and employees, up from 45 last year. (That doesn't include several nominations that came in for some businesses).
Olds and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Barb Babiak figures part of the reason for that upsurge is the fact that this year, there's a new category -- Community Spirit for non-profit organizations.
She says the opportunity for the public to nominate employees who provide exceptional service has really taken off too.
Nominations for the Exceptional Customer Service award are open until Sept 30.
Winners in the seven categories will be announced during the Olds and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Banquet Thursday, Oct. 16.
This year's theme is “Back to Basics – Re-Energize Your Business.”
Following are the nominees in the various categories:
People's Choice Business
The Tire Shop, Preferred RX Pharmacy, Advanced Telecommunications (Olds) Ltd., The Eye Wearhouse, Rundlestone Salon and Spa, Motocar Automotive Supply Ltd. (Bumper to Bumper), Ty-Cal Inspection Services Inc., Niemeyer's Welding & Machine Shop, Scotiabank – Olds branch, All About U Massage, the Pomeroy Inn & Suites, Moody's Equipment, and the South China Sea Restaurant.
Exceptional Customer Service winners
The grand winner for the year will be determined later by the Business Awards selection committee. A winner for September will be determined shortly as well. Following are the monthly winners announced so far:
August: Randy Smith, Motocar Automotive Supply Ltd. (Bumper to Bumper); July: Donna Heck, Sunrise Village – Olds; June: Cindy Smith, Advanced Telecommunications (Olds) Ltd.; May: Robin Sutton, Ty-Cal Inspection Services Inc.; April: Richard Collins, B & M Home Hardware Building Centre; March: David Ruan, PreferredRX Pharmacy.
Business of the Year (15 or fewer employees)
Creating Reality Business Solutions Ltd., Stang's Health Centre Ltd., The Tire Shop, Mountainview Insurance Ltd., The Lady Bug Studio (2), Pet Planet Olds.
Business of the Year (16 + employees)
Pomeroy Inn & Suites, BARR-AG Ltd., Our Flames Restaurant & Lounge.
Community Spirit (For-Profit Businesses/Organizations)
Motocar Automotive Supply Ltd. (Bumper to Bumper), 150097 Alberta Ltd. (Edo Japan Olds), Boston Pizza Olds, The Eye Wearhouse, Wild Rose Medical Centre,
Community Spirit (Non-Profit Organizations)
Olds & District Hospice Society, Chinook Arch Victims Services Society, Olds Rural Crime Watch Association.
Youth Employee of the Year
Ashton Jordet, employed at Tedd's Food Mart; Shaelynn Moritz, employed at CLC Fitness Centre.
