WEYBURN – The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce kicked off the opening of nominations for the 2023 WEYBEX awards for businesses on Monday, at a media conference at the Weyburn Credit Union’s community room.
The deadline for nominations will be March 28, and the awards will be presented on April 28 at a gala evening at McKenna Hall.
Awards will be presented for Golden Service, Community Involvement, New or Expanded Business, Business Leader of the Year and the Business Hall of Fame.
The Business of the Year winner will be selected from the winners in the Golden Service, New or Expanded Business and Community Involvement categories.
The Weyburn Credit Union is the patron sponsor for the awards, and for the Business of the Year award.
“The WEYBEX Awards is an example of the positive difference the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce makes in our city,” said Alex Roettger of the Credit Union. “We believe the success of businesses is essential to the success of the community.”
She noted the candidates for Business of the Year will be judged according to a business’s growth, use of capital, exports, job creation, stability and community involvement.
The Golden Service Award recognizes a local business that is dedicated to customer satisfaction, and consistently demonstrates excellence in the delivery of its products and services that exceed customers’ expectations, said Melissa Swayze of MNP, award sponsor.
“We applaud the work of the business community here in Weyburn,” she said, noting the judges will assess the size of the business, its breadth of services, staff training and overall dedication to the quality of service.
The award for community involvement, sponsored by SaskEnergy, will be presented to a business that demonstrates outstanding performance in contributing to recreation, amateur sports, arts and culture, health care, education and charitable or non-profit groups through time and/or financial support, said representative Michelle Giroux.
The award for a new or expanded business is sponsored by Community Futures Sunrise, represented by Andria Brady.
“Healthy businesses create vibrant communities, and that benefits everyone,” she said.
This award will be presented to a business established or expanded in the past three years, and demonstrates exceptional performance in terms of expansion into a new product, service or line of business, or in the creation of new markets and/or jobs.
The Business Leader of the Year award is sponsored by Saskatchewan Blue Cross, which stated that a business leader takes a vision and turns it into a profitable reality. Emphasis will be given to outstanding leadership, ethical business practices and a record of outstanding corporate citizenship.
The Business Hall of Fame is sponsored by Grant Thornton, represented by Rhonda Verbeurgt, who noted that living and working in Weyburn has greatly influenced her career.
“I was born and raised in Weyburn, and now I’m raising my children in Weyburn, and I’m proud of our business community and the support we have for each other and for community programs and sports programs,” she said.
She noted the Hall of Fame recognizes pioneer and cornerstone business leaders who demonstrate long-term excellence and contributes to the economic well-being of Weyburn and area.
Chamber manager Monica Osborn noted that a number of WEYBEX winners have gone on to win at the provincial level of the ABEX Awards, presented by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
“These awards provide the community with an opportunity to recognize and support business excellence in Weyburn. We appreciate the support from our sponsors and look forward to the big event where we will showcase the very best of what our business community has to offer,” said Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Schuck.
Nomination forms and information about WEYBEX is available online at www.weyburnchamber.com, or by calling the Chamber office at 306-842-4738.
