If you know of an outstanding Airdrie business, here’s your chance to show your appreciation.
Nominations for the 2011 Winning Edge Awards are open from now until Sept. 9. Every year during Small Business Week in October, outstanding businesses in Airdrie are recognized through this program.
“This is the 14th year for the prestigious Winning Edge Awards and second year for the Airdrie Business Leader Award,” said Leona Esau, chair of the Winning Edge Awards Organizing Committee.
“We’ve opened nominations one month early this year to give residents, business owners and employees ample opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievements and important contributions local businesses make in our community.”
Airdrie’s premier business awards include:
• The second annual Airdrie Business Leader Award will recognize a local visionary who is an exceptional leader, in both business and the community.
• The Airdrie Business Leader Award is about recognizing the exceptional business leaders who make significant contributions to the growth and development of our community.
• 14th annual Winning Edge Award is given to a small business (less than 50 employees) that best exhibits outstanding achievement in innovative practices, customer service, and growth and actively participates in the community. Self-nominations are accepted.
• 10th annual Eco Edge Award is handed out to a business that promotes, takes part and provides leadership in the environmental arena. Self-nominations are accepted.
• The seventh annual Family Friendly Business Award will go to a business that demonstrates family-friendly practices that support employees’ needs inside and outside of the workplace and makes it fun for families to visit. Self-nominations are accepted.
“We really want residents, employees and business owners to tell us about the successful businesses we have in Airdrie,” said Esau.
“Whether it’s innovative products, the fact they are growing, exceptional service, if they are great to their employees, or environmentally friendly. It can be on so many different levels. It is important to recognize those businesses that are going above and beyond.”
She said the process takes about five minutes online. All nominees are narrowed down to five finalists in each category that will be announced on Sept. 21.
Then a committee will review and select the winners in each area.
The awards will be handed out at the Winning Edge Awards Banquet on Oct. 21 at Woodside Golf Course.
“The business community in Airdrie is always standing up to support the community as a whole and this is our chance to give back,” said Esau.
“We want to see people recognizing exceptional businesses by investing five minutes of their time to nominate them. Let these businesses know they are appreciated. It is a great way to strengthen our business community.”
Nominations for all four awards can be made online at www.abrponline.com or nomination forms can be picked up from City Hall or the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce office.
