Excitement is building as plans continue to take shape for the Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Awards Gala, set for Oct. 21 at the LMC.
“The Gala itself is coming along incredibly well,” said Jeffrey Hanger, the Chamber’s executive director. “We are still looking for a few sponsors in some of the (award) categories.”
Meanwhile, voting for the ‘People’s Choice for Customer Service – Individual Award’ has wrapped up, as has voting for the ‘People’s Choice for Customer Service’ Business Award.
Hanger said the response from the community was outstanding. “Hundreds and hundreds of people voted.”
The other award winners have been selected by a committee.
Hanger said that overall, the Chamber received 55 nominations for the 11 categories of awards this year.
There is a wide range of awards to be handed down on Oct. 21, 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.
There is also the Citizen of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Emcees for the evening will be Joe Whitbread and Jo Phillips of the Lacombe-based Jo(e) Social Media Inc. “We also have a classical duo coming (Jessica and Dakota Heisler) and a DJ,” he added.
There are, as mentioned, a couple of key sponsorships still available - for the Lifetime Achievement Award and for the People’s Choice for Customer Service - Individual Award.
“We are aiming to sell 180 tickets, which will be available soon for $75 each.”
Hanger said it’s been a fascinating process seeing it all come together.
“What I’ve been doing is getting lots of ideas from others and getting things put in place,” he said. “I’m aiming for a real, nice quiet evening where we can really network and celebrate!”
Lacombe Ford is the title sponsor for this year’s Gala.
“We are bringing as many local people together as we can to help build this, and I urge anyone who has been part of this before, who hasn’t reached out yet, to contact me,” he added.
In the meantime, Hanger said he’s also beginning to get the word out about the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce 2022 Passport to Christmas program which is being sponsored by Sunny 94.
“We encourage people to shop local,” he said.
Visit www.lacombechamber.ca for more information about the upcoming Gala or Passport to Christmas, or find them on Facebook for the latest updates.
Jeff Hanger can also be reached by calling 403-782-4300.