YORKTON - The Celebrate Success Business Awards are returning for another year – the 15th edition of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce initiative.
Thursday, the Chamber held a press conference where it was announced Baker Tilly SK LLP is once again the Patron Sponsor of the awards dinner where the business awards will be presented.
As the patron sponsor, Baker Tilly will have the honour of presenting the Small Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year Awards at the Dinner April 17.
“To have Baker Tilly, a successful local business that supports many activities and events in the community as the Patron Sponsor of this Dinner, is an attestation of the value the company places on the Awards and the event”, said Juanita Polegi, Executive Director of the Yorkton Chamber. “The Dinner has long been referred to as the premier business awards event in Yorkton.”
Darcy Spilchen, CEO and Finance Partner of Baker Tilly SK LLP, noted his company is pleased to be the major sponsor of the Awards event.
“Baker Tilly is proud to sponsor the Celebrate Success Business Awards Dinner,” he said. “It’s an important event to the business community as it recognizes the success of Yorkton businesses with many good news stories to tell.”
Spilchen also announced the addition of several new awards for 2024.
The Chamber has added eight new award categories.
“The new categories will appeal to a wide variety of businesses,” offered Spilchen.
Polegi said the decision to ‘freshen’ the award categories came through a review which suggested some businesses were finding it difficult to see how they fit in the old categories.
The new categories are:
* Distinguished Leader Award
* Health and Wellness Award
* Personal and Aesthetics Award
* RED (Relax, Eat, Drink) Award
* Retail/Consumer Award
* Trades and Skilled Labour Award
* Woman Entrepreneur Award
* Ag Production Award
Polegi said, the Chamber urges business owners and senior managers to apply for an award in one or more of the business categories (there is also an award for community organizations and events).
The awards are an inexpensive, positive form of marketing with the potential for great returns, she said, adding it costs nothing but some time to apply for an Award.
“You know your business better than anyone so tell your story,” said Polegi.
The returning awards include:
* Large Business of the Year
* Small Business of the Year
* Peoples’ Choice Award (voted on by those attending the dinner)
* Award of Excellence
* Community Merit Award
* Property Restoration Award
* Young Entrepreneur Award
To determine the award winners, an independent judging panel will be convened to select the finalists and recipients in each award category.
The panel will also select, from all the completed application packages, the recipient of the Small and Large Business of the Year Awards.
Application forms, a description of the awards and the rules and regulations for the various awards are available on-line, or from the Chamber office.
Deadline for submitting applications is noon March 6.
