Duane Hicks
The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals for their achievements and contributions to the district economy at the 15th-annual Bell Business Awards.
But if businesses are going to be honoured at the gala, slated for Thursday, Feb. 10 at La Place Rendez-Vous, the Chamber needs nominations.
Chamber manager Anthony Mason said he’s received about two dozen nominations so far but really would like to see at least 40-50, “so people need to sharpen their pencils,” he stressed.
He noted categories that still need nominees include the Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year, Safety Award (business or individual), Small Business Trainer of the Year; and the Accessibility Award.
Nominees for the Accessibility Award can be individuals or businesses that have contributed to reducing barriers for people with disabilities.
This can be through raising awareness, architectural improvements, promoting the volunteer contributions of people with disabilities, the inclusion of people with disabilities in leisure/recreational activities, as learners, or in the workplace, or a combination of the above.
“The other [categories] are pretty good, but the more, the merrier though, right?” reasoned Mason.
With the nomination deadline being next Wednesday (Jan. 26), Mason encouraged people to take the opportunity to recognize a deserving business or individual.
The public can pick up nomination forms at the Chamber office (474 Scott St.), at various businesses throughout the district, or online at www.fortfranceschamber.com
They then are asked to fill out those forms to nominate an individual or business they feel is deserving in any of the following categories:
•Business of the Year (1-15 employees);
•Business of the Year (16+ employees);
•Entrepreneur of the Year;
•Small Business Trainer of the Year;
•Safety Award (business or individual);
•Accessibility Award;
•Customer Service (business);
•Customer Service (individual);
•Employee of the Year;
•Business Woman of the Year; and
•Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year.
Nominees do not have to belong to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce to be eligible to win.
In fact, many past winners have been individuals and businesses from across the district.
Meanwhile, tickets for the gala will go on sale next week. They cost $45 each, and will be available at the Chamber office.
Cocktails will be at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30.
Making a return from last year as emcee will be Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Harold Wilson.
“He was quite the comedian, very entertaining just in himself,” noted Mason.
Those who have attended the gala in past years will notice the change of the day of the week from Saturday to Thursday.
Mason said the Chamber decided to stage the event on a weeknight because many people are busy on weekends with hockey tournaments and the like while others just want to relax on their time off.
He added other Chambers hold their business awards on weeknights with success, and local organizers figured they would try it out here to see how it goes.
