WESTLOCK — Nominations for the Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business and Community Awards are open and residents have until Feb. 29 to nominate a local business or individual they want to see recognized in the community.
Chamber president Graeme Harrington shared details of the annual event at the January chamber meeting and noted that residents do not need to be a chamber member to nominate a business or individual and award nominations are not limited to chamber member businesses.
“Similar to prior years, it’ll be a catered dinner, awards program and then some entertainment to finish off the night,” said Harrington. “It’s going to be great. We’re excited to pack the hall and do it again.”
The voting period for nominations runs until Feb. 29 with the date for the awards gala set for April 20 at the Westlock and District Community Hall.
“We’re thinking we would open (voting) for the entire month of February,” said Harrington, noting residents can visit the chamber website for details on the awards and required nomination information, including a short write-up as to why that particular business or individual is being nominated.
“There’ll be a page on the website you can go to, it has the award descriptions and you submit your nominee and a (write-up) in support of them because those are very important in determining our winners,” he said.
This year, they are collaborating with the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce to help choose the winners for their respective events.
In addition, Harrington announced two new categories for this year’s awards. They are a Youth Leadership Award category and a Not-For-Profit Award category.
The Youth Leadership Award recognizes upcoming leaders and inspires youth to aim for their full potential.
It will also identify future leaders of tomorrow and initiate the establishment of connections with business owners and team leaders within the community.
The Not-For-Profit Award will be given to a not-for-profit organization that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to its mission and made a significant positive impact within the community and also recognizes the efforts of a non-profit business in serving the needs of others and contributing to the betterment of our community.
Once nominations are closed a list of nominees is compiled with corresponding write-ups, which then go to the awards committee, noted Harrington, who will choose the winners.
Nominations can be submitted in several ways including via the Westlock Chamber website. They can be completed online and will be automatically submitted, noted Harrington. They can also be submitted via the chamber’s Facebook page - Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce — where there are posts with links to the website’s nomination page as well, and residents can also complete a paper nomination form, available at the PT Law office, and drop them off in person or email them to [email protected].
“Get your nominations in. We’ve had great turnout [with more than] 100 nominees each year,” said Harrington.
