A new award – the Franchise Business award – will be handed out at the Airdrie Business Awards Gala Oct. 18, according to executive director of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce (ACC) Marilyne Aalhus. “We felt that, since franchisees have a large presence in our community, it made a lot of sense to add that category,” she said. “Because a lot of them were being nominated for other categories, we felt it was the right fit to add something new to the agenda. It was a very well-received category, and we will be keeping it for the future.” For the first time, the ACC is organizing the awards, according to Aalhus – including the gala, which was previously organized by the Airdrie Business Resource Partnership. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event, which began in 1998 with just one award, the Winning Edge award. The Winning Edge award has been renamed the Airdrie Business of the Year award, and is given to a small business that has operated in Airdrie for at least three years, exhibits excellent business practices and customer service, and gives back to the community. The Business Leader of the Year award is presented each year to an individual who has worked tirelessly to build their business, while promoting the Airdrie business community. Previous winners include Pat Cashion of Vitreous Glass and Elaine McKee-Doel of McKee Homes. Special homage will be paid to two previous award-winners who have passed away, according to Aalhus: Hugh Hamilton, who founded Airdrie Registry, and Dick Buchanan, who operated Air-Alta Insurance in Airdrie for more than 35 years. “We wanted to pay tribute to some of these business leaders who had a major impact in our community, over the years,” she said. Awards will also be handed out in the Emerging Business, Employer Excellence and Legacy Business categories at the gala. Hayloft Restaurant is providing this year’s finger foods for the event, which will be held at the Bert Church Theatre. Artist Erin Conn has created a special painting, as well, which will be up for bid by silent auction, and Aalhus said this year’s award trophies – created by a local artist – are “gorgeous.” Tickets are available until Oct. 11 at airdriebusinessawards.com for $50 each. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m.
