The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce found a unique solution to ensure the hard work of local businesses were recognized this year.
Executive Director Serena Sjodin says the chamber staff had no doubts the annual Business Excellence Awards would be held this year and came up with different ideas to fit the provincial health guidelines on hosting events.
“We were really grateful to be able to hold the business awards. We thought this year was more important than ever to be able to celebrate our local business community and really just acknowledge them for all the hard work they’ve done over the past year.”
She says this year’s award took some more planning as it was spread out across three different restaurants and live streamed between the three which ensured all representatives could be present for the awards.
“There was a heavy technical component and we had a lot of video production that was done in advance. There was a lot of moving parts that had to come into place and I think everything ended up turning out fantastic.”
The awards are always held in conjunction with Small Business Week, a national celebration of Canadian entrepreneurs. A new category added to the awards was the Think Lloyd First Ambassador award which was given to a business that helped promote Lloydminster and it’s local business community.
“It is a common message we are hearing throughout the community, not just in the chamber, that is the feeling we have gotten from the community. If you’re on social media, you see the local businesses already promoting that themselves. Support your friends and neighbours, support your community and we can get through this together.”
The 2020 business of the year was awarded to the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation. CEO Malcolm Radke says getting the award was a complete surprise to them.
“It was totally humbling to receive that and we have so much respect for the chamber and all the local businesses that are a part of it.”
The LRHF also received the Community Spirit award for their work in helping gather PPE and other equipment and supporting health facilities in the city.
“In March when the pandemic first broke out, it was extremely nervous times. All of us in the community relied on the healthcare frontline, so this is a huge tip of the hat for them and their support first and foremost. Of course, no surprise to us, that the community was there for us and stepped up for the healthcare facilities in our time of need.”
Another change to the celebrations was the fact two organizations were awarded with a non-profit of the year award.
The complete list of award recipients:
- Think Lloyd First Ambassador award – Spiro’s Restaurant
- Lifetime achievement award – Dick Vokins, Image Press Ltd.
- Community spirit award – Lloydminster Region Health Foundation
- Integrity award – Fort Pitt Developments
- Customer service award – R & D Plumbing and Heating
- Small business of the year – It’s Time Promotions
- Downtown business of the year – Border City Furnitures
- Non-profit of the year – Border City Connects, Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society
- Employer of the year – Lloydminster Animal Hospital
- Diversity award – Lloydminster & District Co-op
- Entrepreneur of the year – Richardson’s Jewelers
- Business of the year – Lloydminster Region Health Foundation