Two local businesses finalists in 2015 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction

by Morinville News Staff

Two Morinville businesses are finalists in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction. Champion Petfoods is finalist in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction in the Marketing Category, and Smith Music has been announced a finalist in the 2015 Employer of Youth Distinction. The Alberta Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists Thursday. Along with being a finalist for the Marketing Award of Distinction, Champion Petfoods is eligible for the prestigious Premier’s Award of Distinction.

“Given the marketing talent in this province, we are fortunate to be nominated for this award,” said Champion President and CEO Frank Burdzy in a press release Saturday.“Our vision is to be trusted by pet lovers worldwide, so we very much appreciate this nomination.”

Champion Petfoods took the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Award of Distinction in the Export Category in 2014 as well as The Alberta Export Awards’ Agricultural and Consumer Products division award.

Champion is up against Sturgeon Valley Athletic Club in St. Albert, Prospect Human Services: Base To Business Initiative of Calgary and Fort Saskatchewan’s Mantra Salon and Spa. Another Morinville business in the finalist position is Smith Music. The local music school, recording studio, and instrument shop took the 2014 Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce’s Medium Business of the Year award in 2014. They are pleased to be in the final round of consideration for the provincial recognition.

Smith Music is up against Medicine Hat Lodge Resort Casino & Spa, Team Chiasson Inc. t/a McDonald’s Restaurants in St. Albert, and EIWM Holdings Ltd. t/a Tim Hortons in Medicine Hat.

“I’m excited and surprised to be a finalist. When I was a youth, I was given a chance to teach music and play in bands with a lot of older and more experienced musicians,” said Smith Music owner Paul Smith. “The opportunity to pay that forward and give the same opportunity to today’s youth is something Smith Music has believed in since day one. It’s always awesome to see students become masters of music and then teach that mastery to their students.”

The awards will be announced at the Airport Renaissance Hotel on February 27, 2015. For more information, please go to the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction website at www.abbusinessawards.com.