Its that time of year again! The 2018 Airdrie Business Nominations are officially open and some changes have been made. 

The Airdrie Business Awards are held during the small business week which is a national celebration of small business in the country. 

Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce, Marie Lauer said these awards are to recognize the accomplishments of business in our community.

"It's recognition that small business is the heart and soul of our communities, they employee something like 90% of the population. We really want to celebrate the accomplishments of these businesses in our community."

Any business in the City of Airdrie can be nominated for the awards as long as they hold a City Of Airdrie Business license, this includes home-based businesses. 

There are six awards in total. The Airdrie Business Leader Award, Emerging Business Award, Employer Excellence Award, Franchise Business Award, Legacy Business Award and the Business of the Year Award. 

The Airdrie Business Leader Award was won in 2017 by Mckee Family Homes. The award is awarded to an individual whose business ethics and philosophy extends beyond the walls of their business and has a positive impact on the Airdrie community as a whole. 

The Emerging Business Award was won in 2017 by Airdrie Puppy Pals and is given to a small business less than fifty employees that have been in business less than three years and demonstrates outstanding customer service and growth and plays an active role in our community. 

The Employer Excellence Award was given to Davis Chevrolet in 2017 and is awarded to a business who goes above and beyond for their employees and provides the overall best place to work. The company values their employee's development and retention on the same level that they value productivity and business growth and places a high importance on business culture and a happy and healthy work environment. 

The Franchise Business Of The Year Award is given to a franchise business in Airdrie that is operating under a parent company that allows entrepreneurs to use their strategies business model and name. The franchise-best reflects the outstanding spirit and success of our business community and has demonstrated significant achievement over the last three years and has contributed to our community. 

The Legacy Business Award was won in 2017 by Mckee Family Homes and this year will be awarded to a business that is independently owned and operated and has been in Airdrie for fifteen years, has shown sustained growth and contributions to local employment. The business has invested in the community and sees community investment as a core part of company values. 

The Business Of The Year Award is given to a small business that has at least been in business for three years and best exhibits achievements in innovative practices, customer service and growth and actively participate in the community.

"What we are really trying to do is make it easy for everybody to understand what these awards are about and make it really hands off."

The Judication of the awards is done by a third party and they do not have the business names or employees names. 

"This process is great because it makes it very objective."

The nominations close July 31st. 

 

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