In these days when the Olds economy is still recovering from the oil price crash of 2014/2015, it's great to see the support provided to organizers of the annual Business Awards Recognition and Celebration.
That support was underlined last week when a giant crowd came out to the Alumni Centre for the event on Oct. 10.
Olds and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Caroline Bodmer says about 260 people attended. That's up substantially from the approximately 225 who attended the awards when they were held at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites during the previous couple of years.
Murray Elliot, who served as master of ceremonies again this year, said the number may have been a record.
"I think in light of a pretty soft economy out there that's slow to recover that means a lot. So thank you so much for coming out tonight and being a part of this and making the chamber successful," Elliott said.
In addition, 32 nominations were received for the awards this year. That too is believed to be a record.
That support is gratifying.
The business awards reward excellence in business. Those companies that go above and beyond deserve to be congratulated for going that extra mile because that effort serves as an example for other firms.
Great service also has its own rewards. It results in more business as consumers recommend those companies to their friends and acquaintances.
That in turn helps spur the local economy, creating a stronger community for all of us.
And strong public support for the business awards encourages organizers to keep shining a light on the best our businesses have to offer.
