The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for its 35th annual Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards, and there are several local connections for those finalists.
In the Community Involvement Award category, the finalists include Affinity Credit Union, which has numerous branches in southeast Saskatchewan, and Crescent Point Energy, which boasts operations in several southeast communities.
Other finalists are Lloydminster and District Co-operative Ltd., Wiegers Financial & Benefits, Fitness 2J2, and Avana Homes.
Douglas Bear Trapp, who is a former member of the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins has been nominated for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Trapp is currently with VP Energy Services Ltd.
Trapp spent the last few months of his junior career playing for the Bruins during the 2004-05 season, and his family once resided in the city.
Other finalists for top young entrepreneur are Chelsey Harder (Passions Beauty Studio), Bailey Wilmot (The Local Kitchen), Haylie Lashta (Warman Physiotherapy & Wellness), Jennifer Denouden (Avana Homes), and Meagan Barabash (Bravo Dance Co.)
Other categories with finalists announced on Wednesday are for top exporter, growth and expansion, innovation, marketing, new venture and outstanding service. There is also an award for emphasizing a priority focus, which was mental health this year.
Five additional recognitions will be presented on the night of the ABEX Awards: the Business Leader of the Year Award; the Community Leader of the Year Award; the Roger Phillips Chamber Builder Award; the ABEX Business of the Year Award; and the Saskatchewan Business Hall of Fame.
ABEX applicants go through a rigorous adjudication process with 52 finalists ultimately selected in nine business categories. Finalists are judged on the quality of their application and supporting documents, including a safety plan. The safety plan is an important aspect of each application, The recipients of the ABEX Awards, presented by Conexus Credit Union, will be revealed on Oct. 20 at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
“It’s an honour for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce to continue to host this event to pay tribute to Saskatchewan businesses that are doing amazing things in our province and across the globe,” said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
