Celebrate Success Award nominations open

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce is looking for the best and brightest of the city’s businesses. With the annual Celebrate Success awards, the Chamber honors the best in business, but they need the city’s help. The nomination process has officially begun.

Nomination forms are available at the Chamber office or their website at www.yorktonchamber.com. The nomination deadline is noon on Aug. 27, 2018. Nominated businesses will receive a nominee package, which they must fill out by Sept. 7.

Award categories are:
Award of Excellence sponsored by Canadian Western Bank
Business Growth & Expansion sponsored by BMO Bank of Montreal
Community Involvement sponsored by Cornerstone Credit Union
Community Merit sponsored by SaskTel
Customer Service sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
Education & Training sponsored by Parkland College
Marketing – NEW sponsored by CIBC
New Business Venture sponsored by Key Auto Group
Property Restoration sponsored by City of Yorkton
Safety sponsored by Mission Zero/Work Safe
Young Entrepreneur sponsored by TD

Anyone can nominate a business, and there’s nothing saying a business can’t nominate itself. Mike Popowich, Chamber of Commerce President, said that nobody knows a business better than the people who own it, so they encourage businesses to put their names in the running.

The benefits of winning an award, or even getting nominated, can extend far beyond Yorkton’s city limits said Popowich.

“For our business, when we won the award for leadership and diversity, we [used] that award to gain recognition internationally.”

The judging process is very intensive, said Popowich.

“A lot of hours go into it, too. I think there are a lot of 2:00 a.m. evenings for those judges, too. They spend all evening and into the night to make a decision.”

According to Donna Brothwell, Chair of the Events Committee, for many judges the opportunity is a good chance to learn things about local business that they’ve never known before.

“The nominee packages that come in, you learn so much about the businesses you never knew... That’s the real eye-opener for many of the judges.”

This year’s patron sponsor is Collins Barrow. They will also present the award to the two winners, small and large, of the Business of the Year awards. Rick Kozachenko with Collins Barrow said that they view their sponsorship as a good way to support the Chamber in their efforts to recognize business excellence.

The awards themselves will be presented Oct. 3.