The field has been narrowed down to five finalists in the race for the newest ABEX Award, the Community Cornerstone Award, and the finalists represent the communities of Carlyle, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Prince Albert and Saskatoon.
The Community Cornerstone Award, sponsored by SaskEnergy, is presented to a small enterprise with deep roots in its community, while showing great pride in and support for the local community, and which serves as an unofficial ambassador for it.
The Prairie Dog Drive-In in Carlyle, Madill's Drugs in Meadow Lake, George Home Hardware in Melfort, Ted Matheson Men's Wear in Prince Albert, and furnaceguys Home Heating & Cooling in Saskatoon will go head to head to take home this prestigious inaugural ABEX Award.
The distinguishing feature of the Community Cornerstone Award is its ability to employ the power of social media. Starting in early September, voters are encouraged to visit the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce website (www.saskchamber.com) to view videos on each of the finalists, and vote daily for the business they feel is most deserving of the award. Voting will take place through September and October, with the winner announced at the ABEX Awards ceremony November 1, 2014 at the Delta Regina Hotel. The ABEX Awards is Saskatchewan's longest-running and best-recognized business awards event.
"We are very excited about the potential of this new award," said Steve McLellan, CEO of the Sask Chamber. "It celebrates those smaller businesses which are the true heart, or cornerstone, of their communities, and to allow them to engage with their customers through new media, to celebrate all the worthwhile things that their community represents. These finalists are great examples of how business and community can come together in a mutually beneficial relationship, and the ways in which business can embody the spirit of its community."
Tickets for the ABEX Awards are now available at www.saskchamber.com.
