Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce president, Blaine Stephan, will preside over this evening’s Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards night at the Lloyd Ex. He helped kick off Small Business Week activities at a joint lunch at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster meeting on Monday. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
It’s glitz and glam time once again for members of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce at the 2023 Business Excellence Awards.
The awards take place tonight at the Lloyd Ex with top awards for Business of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Non-Profit of the Year to be announced.
Chamber president, Blaine Stephan, spoke about the event during a small business week kick-off luncheon with the Rotary Club of Lloydminster on Monday.
He said every year more than 10,000 business across the country come together to celebrate entrepreneurship, share experiences and build networks.
“Here in Lloydminster, we take our role seriously during small business week. We are proud to host the annual celebration of business excellence,” said Stephan.
“This event serves as a platform to recognize and appreciate our exceptional business community. It underlines our unwavering dedication, acknowledging our local businesses, which are a core part of the Chamber’s mission.”
Stephan also told the audience about the importance of small businesses to the economy of Lloyd.
“They’re the backbone of our entire community—97 per cent of businesses in Lloydminster have less than 100 employees. So they are what make Lloydminster tick,” he said.
“Without our small businesses, we don’t have a Lloydminster.”
Stephan read out the short list of nominees in each category listing Katchi Cafe, Lloydminster Construction Association and Home Hardware for the Think Lloyd First Ambassador Award.
Extreme Donair and Pizza, The Silver Mannequin, Heritage Optical, Lakeside Pharmacy and Sheepskin Loft are in the running for the Customer Service Award.
Small Business of the Year contenders are Viking Strength, The Proper Eats & Drinks, May 6 Cinema and D & A Optometry.
The Diversity Award will go to either Lakeland College or Staples while Hair Den and Bexson Construction are the nominees for Employer of the Year.
Naude Medi Spa and Diamond 7 Meats are contenders for the Integrity Award with three companies, Gritstone Sharpening, SipGrazeLove and Iron Will Metalworks Ltd. up the the Entrepreneur of the Year.
Community Spirit nominees are Kaschl’s Culligan Water and PWM Steel Services Ltd.
The nominees for the Downtown Business of the Year include City Furniture & Appliances, Brighter Horizon Financial Services Ltd. and Jo’s Barbershop.
The Business Woman of the Year could go to either Henka Divorce Law & Mediation, Violet Eyes Optometry, In Touch Massage & Esthetics or Imagine Laserworks.
“As Chamber president, it’s my responsibility to hand pick the recipient of the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Stephan.
“This accolade is the pinnacle of achievement and the suspense is building.”
The Business Excellence awards are just hours away.
“It’s going to be an evening filled with excitement and celebration as we acknowledge these outstanding businesses and organizations,” said Stephan.
