Chamber of Commerce Awards

Times Reporter 

 

A good crowd of small to large business owners gathered at the Strathmore Chamber of Commerce ceremony, which was held on Oct. 23 at the Travelodge. 

Nominees applied for the opportunity to compete in the various categories and independent judges chose a winner from each category of business.

“I am overwhelmed with this turnout,” said Mona Kado, Master of Ceremonies for the event. “I am thrilled to see so many businesses out in support of the Strathmore Chamber of Commerce.”

Considering the trials of the previous year, the turnout was indeed a statement of how the organization is building recovery. While not all in attendance were members of the chamber, organizers hope that by coming to the event, everyone would consider all the chamber can offer.

The Town of Strathmore CAO Dwight Stanford and MLA Jason Hale addressed the audience.

“Congratulations to all the nominees. You are all winners,” Hale said. “It is so good to see so many thriving businesses; you all have a lot in common.” 

The new Mayor Michael Ell and his wife Ellen were present and visited with many in the crowd.  

The special speaker Monica L. Knight, Chief Visionary Officer for Koskie, Knight and Associates, delivered an unconventional speech designed to get people thinking ‘out of the box’ when considering where they will find employees to grow their business. Knight is from South Africa and travels the world on speaking tours. She said people must change their thinking as the marketplace is changing. People from all walks of life, generations, cultures and abilities are waiting like diamonds, to be plucked up by canny business owners. She said owners need to be willing to adapt their business environment to suit their employee’s needs in order to retain good staff, and be like sharks in the water, looking for the most suitable candidates.

“You have a whole new community coming to you, and it will seem as alien as I am to you right now. You have to change the way you think of the workplace,” said Knight about the influx of workers from global locations. She gave the example of the Brooks area workers, where 107 different languages are spoken. She said there is currently only 1.3 per cent of Alberta’s population available for employment. 

This is a vast difference from Alberta’s recession years, when unemployment rates edged towards 10 per cent. Like real estate, it is an employee’s market and they will choose the company that offers them the best terms, benefits and fun exciting work atmospheres. She said many businesses are helping their best employees to grow and develop, by supplying assistance for those growth goals. One example given was a business that retained its best employee by offering a rent free/utility free workspace after hours, so they could start up their own entrepreneurial venture. Some even gave paid leave of absences while the employees were upgrading their education.

The awards followed Knight’s presentation. The judges delivered sealed envelopes for presentation. There were various criteria for each category, based on the number of employees, with marks awarded for such things as community involvement, fastest growth, excellence and business leadership, just to name a few. Each winner was given a beautiful glass trophy and had their picture taken for the Chamber website and the local newspapers. Nominees were all issued certificates.

The winners were:

• Business of the Year – (small enterprise 5 or less employees) -Newsy Neighbour, 

• Business of the Year – (medium enterprise, 6-15 employees) – Booster Juice, 

• Business of the Year – (large enterprise, over 15 employees) –Sobeys,

• Community Spirit-Business, Global Training Centre,

• Community Spirit – Organization-Strathmore Library

• Emerging Entrepreneur – Quality Canine Centre.

• Employer of Choice – two-time winner Global Training Centre.

• Chamber Member of the Year – Alberta Treasury Branch

President Joyce Bazant felt the evening was a tremendous success. Anyone wanting more information about the Chamber of Commerce can visit the website, or contact them at (403) 901-3175. contactus@strathmoredistrictchamber.com . Watch for networking meetings and business developments for the Strathmore area.