It’s a busy season for the Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce with plans taking shape for the annual Business and Community Awards Gala in October.
To that end, voting is now open for the ‘Peoples Choice for Customer Service - Individual Award’. Residents are encouraged to visit www.lacombechamber.ca/lacombe-awards/peoples-choice-award/ to have their say.
Voting ends on Aug. 26, said Jeffrey Hanger, the Chamber’s executive director.
He noted that the ‘People’s Choice for Customer Service’ business nominations will be up soon on the website for folks to vote for as well.
The many other awards are selected by a committee.
“We are exceedingly busy - we have received 52 nominations for the 11 categories of awards this year,” said Hanger, adding that he is also on the lookout for sponsors for the popular awards event as well.
“It’s also an opportunity for individual businesses to celebrate what is fantastic here in Lacombe! We have a whole range of awards going on this year, including the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the New Business of the Year Award, the Home-based Business of the Year Award, the Small Business of the Year and the Large Business of the Year to the Agricultural Business/Organization of the Year and the Not-for-Profit of the Year Award.
“We also have the Citizen of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award.”
In the meantime, Lacombe Ford is the title sponsor for this year’s Gala.
“I think the most important thing is knowing that Lacombe businesses are in a very strong position - Lacombe is a wonderful place to work. This has been my first year doing this, and it’s been a very, very positive experience with meeting people and getting these nominations, too.
“People just love Lacombe - it’s a great place to live, work and play.”
Hanger pointed out how connected local businesses are as well.
Recently, the Chamber hosted a get-together out at The Track on 2, and guests enjoyed a guided tour onsite.
There were chats about future events benefiting the local business scene as well. As Hanger pointed out, the potential partnerships and possibilities are endless.
“This is the beauty of the Lacombe Chamber - it’s all about new ideas and it’s all about connecting people,” he added.
“I find that people are really impressed with the services that they receive in Lacombe. Business owners are known and respected, and the Chamber is also a great place to start networking.”
That’s also where the annual awards come in, he said. When a company or organization is nominated, they know that it’s been a competitive path to come to that point, he said.
“They are really proud and really pleased to have gotten to that stage where they’ve been nominated.
“Everyone I have spoken to has been super happy about that.”
In the meantime, increasing numbers of local companies are coming onboard to offer support for the Gala event in a number of ways as well, he added.
“I’m looking forward to an event where we can really celebrate what’s great about Lacombe.
“There is always an opportunity for growth, and there are also always new people and new businesses coming in,” he said, adding that the City and the County have always been great supporters of the Chamber as well.
According to the Chamber website, “The most important function of the Lacombe Chamber is to promote the public interest, support and patronage of the local business community.
“We are constantly cultivating stronger relationships with the business community, and streamlining our services and events to add more value to your membership.”
Hanger is excited about the future and what it holds for local businesses.
“There’s a lot of connectivity between the work of the Chamber, and the rest of the community,” he explained.
”And the role that corporations and companies have in a community is absolutely massive.”