One Humboldt business has been nominated for a Saskatchewan Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) award.
Century 21 Diamond Realty has been shortlisted for the Marketing award in the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce's ABEx awards.
Finalists for the 10 award categories were announced on September 30.
"It's really nice. We're very excited," said Dan Torwalt, who owns Century 21 Diamond Realty with wife and broker Cheryl Torwalt.
Century 21 Diamond Realty was actually named Small Business of the Year by the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce at their Mark of Excellence Awards banquet last spring.
The HDCC nominated Century 21 Diamond Realty for the Marketing award, Torwalt explained, and they were required to supply a wealth of information to the Saskatchewan Chamber with their application.
"It sounds like they had a lot of applicants," Torwalt said. To be chosen out of hundreds as a finalist in the marketing category is special, he added.
"It's very exciting. We're very happy.... Marketing is a big part of our business," he said. "When we can get recognition, province-wide, it's a huge boost for our company, and for Humboldt."
Part of their business, he said, is to promote the community of Humboldt, so that people are encouraged to buy homes here.
It's a feather in the cap of Humboldt, he noted, that their company has been shortlisted for this award.
"It's good for everybody," he said, adding that the team from Century 21 Diamond Realty will be attending the ABEX awards dinner in Saskatoon on November 19.
"As Saskatchewan continues to grow, so do our businesses," noted Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve McLellan in the news release announcing the finalists. "It's an exciting time to invest in our province and our people. We've always had strong and competitive applications for the awards and this year was no different. The 2011 ABEX Awards showcase the dedicated and innovative business people of Saskatchewan."
Finalists for the 2011 ABEX Awards are diverse, covering both large and small businesses, rural and urban centers, and new and innovative entrepreneurs.
"The ABEX Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the success we've seen throughout the province," continued McLellan, "and serve as a reminder of the burgeoning potential on Saskatchewan's horizon."
The ABEX Awards were established 28 years ago to celebrate the achievements of private sector businesses in Saskatchewan. Since then, they have become the largest private sector business awards in the province with increasing numbers of business leaders attending the Awards each year.
The ABEX Awards are open to any private sector business registered to operate in Saskatchewan regardless of size, location or industry.
A full listing of the 2011 ABEX award finalists is as follows:
The Marketing Award: Century 21 Diamond Realty, Humboldt; Bath Fitter, Saskatoon; Gold Eagle Casino, North Battleford; Refresh Inc., Saskatoon; Triple 4 Advertising Ltd., Moose Jaw.
The Growth and Expansion Award:Canalta Hotels, Drumheller; Golden Band Resources Inc., Saskatoon; Gyro Productions Inc., Regina; Magna Electric Corporation, Regina; North Ridge Development, Saskatoon.
The New Venture Award: Canalta Hotels, Drumheller; Digital Skies Billboard Network, Regina; EcoLibra Systems Inc., Saskatoon; TJ's Pizza, Melfort; Zoom Zoom Groom Ltd., Regina.
The TIA New Saskatchewan Product Award: EcoLibra Systems Inc., Saskatoon; Onagon Interactive Inc., Regina; Sprossil Industries Inc., Regina; Text2Car, Saskatoon.
The Service Award: Border Line Feeders Inc., Ceylon; Canalta Hotels, Drumheller; Essence Organic Hair and Day Spa, Regina; Impact Construction Inc., Dalmeny; Terry Ortynsky's Royal Ford, Yorkton.
The Export Award:Crestline Coach Ltd., Saskatoon; Partners in Motion, Regina.
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Tyler Boyd - Boyd Excavating Ltd., Pilot Butte; Brent Gedak - Brent Gedak Welding Ltd., Estevan; Timothy Martin & Abbey Dolney - Mint Holdings Inc., Regina; Nathan Wilhelm - Wilhelm Construction Services Ltd., Estevan; Justin Yawney - Yorkton Plumbing and Heating Ltd., Yorkton.
The Aboriginal Business Partnership Award: Canada North Environmental Services, Saskatoon; Neechie Gear, Saskatoon; Points Athabasca Contracting Limited Partnership, Wollaston Lake; Triple 4 Advertising Ltd., Moose Jaw; Tron Power Inc., Saskatoon.
The Environment Award: Koenders Windmills Inc., Regina; Canada North Environmental Services, Saskatoon; LK Auto Collision Ltd., Regina; Stantec, Regina; VerEco Homes Inc., Saskatoon.
The Community Involvement Award: Knight Archer Insurance, Regina; Neechie Gear, Saskatoon; Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, Saskatoon; Stantec, Saskatoon; W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home, Moose Jaw.
The Business Leader of the Year Award: To be announced.
2011 Hall of Fame Inductee: To be announced.
