WESTLOCK — The Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Business and Community Awards Gala has been bumped up a week to April 15.
The change comes after scheduling complications with the original date, noted chamber president Graeme Harrington. The event is still being held at the Westlock and District Community Hall with additional details, including times, still being worked on and expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Planning for the formal, evening awards gala is well underway and will be similar to last year’s event with some minor changes based on feedback from the inaugural gala last spring.
“We found that the program actually went quicker than anticipated last year, so based on our experience last year we might move the times around a little bit,” said Harrington.
As a result of the event date change, the nomination window has also been moved forward and nominations will now be open for four weeks, starting Feb. 24 and running to March 24.
“The voting will be done in person or through the website where they can enter (votes) directly and they’ll be submitted to us,” explained Harrington, noting categories for nominations will be the same as last year and will include such categories as community ambassador, digital marketing, new business, innovation, the pioneer award, and exceptional customer service.
Residents can submit their award nominations along with a short write-up in support of their nominees. Last year’s inaugural gala saw about 150 nominees for the event and nominations are open to everyone — businesses do not have to be a chamber member, nor do residents who nominate them.
Nominations can be submitted directly through the website and also by completing a printed form and returning it Harrington via e-mail or in person. Once nominations close, a separate, impartial panel will go through the list of nominees and will choose the winners.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the event can contact a board member with Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce or Harrington via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 780-686-8729.
