Olds and area businesses and employees were celebrated during last Thursday night's 2012 Business Awards Banquet with several winning top accolades.
Co-MCed by Murray Elliott, the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce event was attended by hundreds of people who were entertained by the Didsbury High School band and dined prior to this year's award announcements.
Twenty-eight businesses and individuals were nominated for awards in six categories.
“There was a great response in nominating,” event co-MC Melanie Hepp told the crowd.
Westview Cooperative Association Ltd. was named 2012 Business of the Year (16+ employees) out of four nominees which included both Tim Hortons locations and Wendy's Restaurant.
“An integral business in our community, Westview Co-op demonstrates leadership in our community and is an example of what a business should strive to be,” said Brian Hepp, event co-MC.
Co-op manager Rod Perigney thanked ATB Financial for the nomination as well as staff, when he accepted the award.
“Every day there's a lot that goes into running a good business,” Perigney said.
The co-op operates in three locations - Eagle Hill, Olds, and Carstairs - with approximately 140 employees.
The business was described as having pride in providing exceptional customer service and its commitment to the community.
Among other attributes described during the presentation, the company looks for ways to improve job experience of employees and donates to or sponsors many community activities.
Rip's Audio Video & Spas was awarded the 2012 Business of the Year (15 or fewer employees) out of 10 nominees.
“Rip's Audio Video & Spas shows strong commitment to the community through the dedication of volunteerism and providing great service/product for Olds and area,” said Melanie Hepp before owner Leon Durand accepted the award.
Rip's is one of the oldest original-owner businesses in Olds, offering top-notch service to customers in Olds and area since 1980, Hepp said in the business's introduction.
Other nominees included 360 Snow & Skate Ltd., Bean Brokers Inc., Dunrite Printing Services, Alfon's Auto Repair Ltd., Fountain Tire, Gadget's Computers and Electronics Inc., Geronimo Farm Equipment, Peter Overwater Oilfield Construction Ltd., and Tracks Pub Ltd.
“I really can't believe we won over Tracks. You deserve this as much as we do,” Durand said when accepting the award.
The 2012 Community Spirit Award was won by Olds Electric & Lighting.
“We would like to thank Olds Electric & Lighting for the tremendous support they have given our community,” Brian Hepp told the crowd.
The company, owned and operated by Jeremy and Cindy Tookey, provides a positive work environment and employment development to their staff, according to the nominee description.
The Tookeys have also provided work experience in the areas of office assistants and electricians for high school students.
In business for four years, the Tookeys have supported organizations and events that include Olds Minor Hockey, Festival of Trees, Mountain View Food Bank, and Stop Bully.com to name a few.
“They are firm believers that you must support the community should you wish to have the community support you,” said Melanie Hepp.
Edo Japan was also nominated for the Community Spirit award.
Out of the top four businesses nominated for the 2012 People's Choice Award, 360 Snow & Skate Ltd. came out on top.
Brian Hepp shared comments from 360 Snow and Skate's customers during the award presentation.
“Awesome store. They always have exactly what you want and if they don't they will special order in. They hold strong to the brands they believe in which paints a picture of what kinds of people run the business,” Brian Hepp quoted customers as having said.
The other top nominees for the award included All Your Pets, Willow Brook Coffee House, and CKLJ Radio Station.
A 20-year fixture at A&W in Olds won the 2012 Exceptional Customer Service Award.
Lorna Samuel has been an outstanding employee, an exceptional person, and a friend to the community for over 20 years and deserves all the recognition and accolades that come her way, said Brian Hepp.
“She will not only remember your favourite food, but she will call you by name, she will know your mom's name, your uncle's name, your dog's name, and she will probably even give you grief about having butter on your toast because she knows you have a heart condition,” he said in describing Samuel.
Wal-Mart Cornerstone employee Heather Glasmann, Olds Agricultural Society's Buck (Allen)Thompson, and Sears (Appliances) employee Robert Read were also nominated for the Exceptional Customer Service Award.
Janalyn Bullock won the 2012 Youth Employee of the Year.
Employed with Westview Co-op Olds Food Store since 2010, Bullock was described as having taken her service to the next level through her helpful, courteous and friendly manner.
“Janalyn is mature beyond her years and is one of our key students. It has been a positive working experience with Janalyn. She is a great employee doing a great job,” was one piece of Bullock's nomination that Melanie Hepp cited during the presentation.
Reyna Wollman, employed at 360 Snow & Skate, and Emily Lyster, employed at Chinook Country Veterinary Clinic were other nominees for the Youth Employee of the Year Award.
As the awards presentation kicked off, Olds Mayor Judy Dahl congratulated the winners and the nominees.
“Collectively, you make a difference,” said Dahl.
Chamber president Curtis Setso also made introductory remarks focusing on the Olds Chamber of Commerce's strength in the community and the ways it supports businesses.
