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Wetaskiwin WOWED

Pipestone Flyer

    The Wetaskiwin and District Chamber of Commerce can proudly declare they WOWED a sold out crowd of 200 on October 23rd at the annual Business Awards GALA. The Chamber Business Awards were created to recognize local businesses that excel at their core function and contribute significantly to the economic and social well-being of the community.  Like every competition, a winner has to be declared but at the Awards GALA, there were no losers. The entire evening exemplified pride in the local business community of Wetaskiwin with eight Business Awards and three special recognition awards being handed out. 

    Upon arrival at the banquet room of the Wayside Inn, a sold-out crowd of 200 supporters were greeted and escorted to pre-assigned tables by the Hobbema Cadets. The tastefully decorated room provided the ambience and professionalism in honor of the businesses and individuals who provide excellent customer service and make Wetaskiwin the #1 choice as a location for doing business. The evening truly represented what it is like to have a community get behind a community.

    M.C. John Chwyl (fashion celebrity on Global television) kept the program moving on schedule allowing appropriate time for the audience to witness laughter, humbleness and a great deal of emotion accompanying the presentation of the awards. As the evening progressed, it became more and more evident that the Awards were not a competition but more of a sharing of pride among the nominees.     

    Judi Best, Executive Director of the Wetaskiwin and District Chamber of Commerce, stated, “All of the 2013 nominees should be proud of their nomination. They represent the superstars of Wetaskiwin business.  Wetaskiwin is full of Opportunity with a Wealth of Experience and Diversity (WOWED) and it was our turn to serve the stars of business”.

Winners of Special Awards:

• President’s Award – Alan Halter, Wetaskiwin Coop

• Rotary Integrity Award- Bruce Ganske

• JEDI Connected for Growth Award -  Goodon Industries

Winners of 2013 Business Awards:

• Community Spirit Award - Boston Pizza

• 2nd Wetaskiwin Mall

• 3rd Hi-Line Farm Equipment

Agricultural Award

• Dean & Sonia Nelson 

• 2nd Wetaskiwin Coop

• 3rd Hi-Line Farm Equipment

Non-Profit Organization 

• Ladies Aux. of Royal CDN Legion 

• 2nd Horizon Centre

• 3rd Wetaskiwin Transit

Customer Service of the Year • Michelle Chubey, TD Canada Trust 

• 2nd Scott Taylor, Wetaskiwin Coop

• 3rd Olympia Taverna

Employer of the Year  

• Tim Horton's 

• 2nd TD Canada Trust

• 3rd Dyck Insurance

Large Business Award 

• AC Dandy Electrical Products

• 2nd Manluk Industries

• 3rd Best Western Wayside Inn

Medium Business Award 

• Wetaskiwin Family Pharmacy 

• 2nd Nutter's

• 3rd Central Refrigeration

Small Business Award 

• Mickey's Flowers

• 2nd Sweetly Twisted

• 3rd Mohler Stationary & Printing

    Judi Best left the event the evening of October 23rd and on October 24th and began planning the Chamber WOWED Awards Gala 2014. “Taking suggestions from our fabulous MC John Chwyl and others, we are already looking at next year’s business awards GALA and how we can improve it.  The Awards GALA is an important evening in our community because it showcases the variety and quality of businesses operating in Wetaskiwin and their commitment to providing superior customer service.” The Chamber received seventy nominations but strongly feels there are many more deserving businesses that should be nominated. 

    “Given the importance of the GALA” states Best, “we will be putting a lot of effort into developing a new look and feel, (for WOWED Business Awards GALA 2014) along with new criteria to evaluate the nominations and a detailed marketing and tactical plan. We will be unveiling this new look and feel in January, hoping to get more citizens and businesses excited about being “WOWED” and submitting those nominees, for recognition.”   

        The Chamber is pleased to work with Business Awards GALA Awards sponsors,  ATB Financial, CIBC, the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), Royal Bank, Scotiabank, TD and the Wetaskiwin Credit Union to host this important event.  The Chamber offers a special THANK YOU to all who took the time to submit nominations for this year’s Wetaskiwin “WOWED” Business Awards.