OLDS — The nominees and some winners of the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Awards have been revealed.
Murray Elliott, chair of the chamber’s Business Awards Committee, announced the nominees Sept. 25 during the chamber’s annual Business, Beer & Blue Jeans event, held at Olds College’s Werklund Agriculture & Technology Centre.
The President’s Award goes to Mike Tomey of Canadian Tire.
Emprise Canada will receive the Innovation Award.
The Community Spirit of the Year award goes to Brian Gardner Custom Homes, which is constructing Kirsten’s Place, an emergency shelter in Olds.
Vying for Small Business of the Year are Dunrite Printing, the Olds Central Highlands Golf Course, Sims Furniture, Mountain View Flooring and the Olds Uptowne Market.
Nominees for Best New Business of the Year are Aurora Golf and Feather Dental Hygiene Studio.
Three people are in contention for Youth Employee of the Year. They are Hunter McDonald, Wyatt McDonald and Grace Williamson, all of whom work at the Olds Golf Club.
Four businesses are in the running for the People’s Choice of the Year award. They are Dunrite Printing, Aurora Golf, Olds Community Pharmacy and No Frills.
The awards will be presented during the annual business awards banquet, which will be held Oct. 24 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 in Olds.
Elliott also announced that on Oct. 21, the chamber will be holding its annual breakfast at Chef David's Cacio e Pepe Italian Bistro to kick off Small Business Week.
He noted that there’s no charge for the breakfast but that those planning to attend need to register so that organizers have a head count beforehand.
Elliott said speakers during the breakfast include Town of Olds chief administrative officer Brent Williams, Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper and business development advisor Michelle McFadden.
“It’s a good event, good food,” Elliott said.
Rochelle Wilson, branch manager of Western Financial, the sponsor of Business Beer & Blue Jeans, also addressed the crowd.
Wilson praised local businesses for “providing essential goods and services, creating jobs, enriching our lives.”
“By supporting them, we invest in our community,” Wilson said.
“Our core values are town building, integrity, respect and trust and these are reflected in their operations and every interaction,” she added.
Wilson congratulated all the nominees.
Elliott thanked all those who came out to Business Beer & Blue Jeans.
“We have more than 40 people here tonight which I think is remarkable, certainly a better turnout than last year,” he said.
“With this weather I know there’s other things you could be doing so thank you for coming and enjoy it.”
