The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce is readying for another active year in 2015.
Preliminary preparations for their major events were a main focus Tuesday at a monthly board of directors meeting, the first since the swearing in of president Brendon Boothman and the new executive earlier this month.
Two big events coming back in October will be the BBEX awards ceremonies slated for Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Battlefords Best Marketplace and Expo later in the month.
Chamber Executive Director Linda Machniak indicated a revision could be coming to the date for the Battlefords Best show. Normally, the event is scheduled to coincide with the end of Small Business Week, which would mean the show dates would fall on Oct. 23-25.
But those dates would have potentially put the Battlefords Best show directly up against the hospital foundation’s ladies’ night event again this fall. It also would pit them against the Home Show in Saskatoon, a situation that also transpired last year.
It now looks as if the earlier dates of Oct. 16-18 will be set for the Battlefords Best event, which would mean the show would kick off Small Business Week instead of run at the end of it. Machniak indicated she would confirm those dates with the City.
The intention is to once again hold the event at the NationsWEST Field House, as has been the case the previous two years.
Also a major item at the meeting are potential changes coming to the annual BBEX awards ceremonies, based on discussions at the BBEX committee’s recent meeting.
Machniak reported that one change could see nominations for the prestigious Business of the Year category determined based on nominations submitted for all the awards categories. Right now, the Business of the Year award requires a separate nomination package.
The other potential change is to do away with the format of serving hors d'oeuvres and go back to a banquet format. It was also noted by Machniak that Lloydminster had gone back to a banquet format for its event.
No final decisions have been made, however.
Other events planned for the year include the Chamber Golf Challenge Friday, May 22 at North Battleford Golf and Country Club, as well as the annual post-budget breakfast presentation by Ken Krawetz expected in late March. A firm date for that budget presentation is still to be confirmed.
