By MorinvilleNews.com staff
Morinville – After celebrating their high rollers with a casino-themed business award gala in 2010, the Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce is looking to up the ante by travelling back to the Roaring 20s for this year’s gala theme.
“Last year was huge,” said Chamber Manager Jaye Parrent. “Not only was it about honouring the businesses; it also afforded them the opportunity to network and get together as well.” Parent said selecting the Roaring 20s theme for this year’s event was a combination of looking for another fun-filled evening for Morinville Chamber members and to somewhat tie into Morinville’s centennial.
While the flappers and dappers won’t be ready to hit the ballroom until Oct. 21, nominations for this year’s top businesses are now open. Businesses will receive their nomination packages by e-mail Aug. 10 and have until Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. to submit their nominations for business of the year in several categories. But in keeping with the Roaring 20s theme, the prohibition is off self-nomination. Local businesses can now nominate themselves, outlining the reasons they feel their business is worthy of recognition from their peers.
“I think it’s about honouring the local business community, and the businesses being honoured by their peers,” said Chamber President Heather Folkins. “In a town like Morinville, a small town, their fellow business owners are also their clients. So you are being honoured by your own clients as well.”
Once again this year awards will be given to the home-based, small, medium and large business of the year. However, this year’s nomination guidelines will follow certain criteria at each level. Although the regular business awards are open to Chamber members exclusively, the community service award is open to any group, organization or business that meets the nomination guidelines, regardless of their Chamber affiliation. New this year is a legacy business award, which replaces the former people’s choice award.
