By COLLIN GALLANT on August 13, 2020.
Medicine Hat News The nominations are in for the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce awards that will go ahead as scheduled, but in a “hybrid” virtual format, this autumn. A total of 73 businesses are vying in 15 categories, with several earning multiple nominations that were collected in an open process. Winners will be announced Oct. 16 in a live ceremony that will be broadcast online from several host locations while attendees have the option to attend remotely as well. The theme of the event is “Driving Business Forward” and winners will be submitted to a similar provincial chamber business awards held in the winter. A dozen new local businesses, 10 small entries and two large enterprises are competing for the major awards of best new, small and large business. Other categories include business ethics, community attraction, community involvement, customer service, diversity, global growth, leading edge, marketing, mentorship, young entrepreneur and franchise of the year. There is no charge for attendance, though registration is required for the evening event on Oct. 16. That date corresponds with the beginning of small business week in Canada. Nominees are (in alphabetical order): Best new business – A Buyer’s Choice home Inspection; Bailey Nicole Interiors + Design; Botanicals; Fruitful Specialty Shop; Guesthouse 71; Infinity Dance; Izote Latin Cocina; Modern PURair; Nourish Body & Soul; Prairie Kettle Deli; Reflex Supplements; and T.R.A.D. Worm industries. Large business – Masterpiece Southlands and NewRock Developments. Small Business – Adapt Mobility; Big West Electrical; Boylan Imaging; BRB Farms (Ruben’s Veggies); Gerry’s Ad Cellar; Kinetisense; Main Floor Carpets; Precision Granite and Tile; Titanium Sign & Design, and Vossler Mechanical. Business Ethics – Davis GMC Buick; F & S Safety Buzz (Safety Buzz Campus); Jade Homes; Petersen Accounting Services ; and Smith & Hersey Agribusiness Law. Community Attraction – Canadian GunHub Inc.; Guesthouse 71; Hiebert Cabinets and Fine Woodwork; Izote Latin Cocina; Next Steps Hospitality Ltd. (Elkwater Lake Lodge); Performance Edge Hockey Development; DeeVee Properties Ltd. (Tino’s); and Tourism Medicine Hat. Community Involvement – Davis GMC Buick; RBC Financial; REDI Enterprises; South Country Co-op Limited; and Speedpro Signs. Customer Service – Adapt Mobility; Big West Electrical; Blondie’s Gift & Garden Centre; Jade Homes; Jasper Fine Homes; and South Country Co-op Limited. Diversity – Home Depot; Pancotto Enterprises Ltd. (o/a McDonald’s Restaurant); and Redcliff Stake & Lath (1995) Ltd. Global Growth – QCP Enterprises and Redcliff Stake and Lath (1995) Ltd. Leading Edge – BRB Farms Ltd. (Ruben’s Veggies); Hiebert Cabinets and Fine Woodwork; Jasper Fine Homes; Kinetisense Inc.; and Petersen Accounting Services. Marketing – Blondie’s Gift & Garden Centre; Boylan Imaging Inc.; Canadian GunHub Inc.; NewRock Developments Inc.; Speedpro Signs; and Titanium Sign & Design. Mentorship – Masterpiece Southlands Meadows; Performance Edge Hockey Development; REDI Enterprises; and YMCA of Medicine Hat. Young Entrepreneur –Evoke Inspired Marketing and K Lazy T Cattle Co. Franchise Business of the Year – Booster Juice (Family Leisure Centre) and Pita Pit. 24