The Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its fifth business awards gala this week.
The Monopoly themed evening, Chamberopoly, will take place on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre. Maureen Sinclair, assistant with the chamber, said the evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by a formal dinner, entertainment and the awards presentation at 8:30 p.m.
Guests are invited to dress up in Monopoly game fashion, she said.
“Basically all of our board members will try and dress up … as the man with the top hat and other costumes from the game,” she said.
This year, 30 Morinville businesses are in the running for a total of 12 awards.
Awards will be given out to the small, medium, large and home-based business of the year, as well as the non-profit business of the year. Other awards include the Community Service and Involvement Award, the Legacy Award, the Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year, and The First Nation Spirit of Business Award.
New this year is the Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, presented to a youth that has shown significant commitment and dedication to the employer and customer service. The chamber will also recognize six members who have been with the chamber for a total of five, 10, 15 and 20 years.
Chamber president Simon Boersma said the event not only recognizes the successes of the various businesses in the community. It also creates a space to celebrate together even if you compete on a daily basis, he said.
“I think we have to celebrate success to celebrate companies and what happens in the community especially with knowing that entrepreneurship is what brings communities to life,” he said.
Seeing the rate of growth Morinville has experienced over the past few years – and will continue to see – he said it is important that businesses learn about the work of their local chamber and other companies. In the past, he said the event has helped to boost leadership in the community and created recognition for different businesses.
Boersma will be one of the MC’s of the event, along with Kym Moore of Servus Credit Union. Due to the election, Sinclair said the board decided not to have a keynote speaker. Entertainment will be provided by professional improviser Donovan Workun with Atomic Improv Co.
About 150 people are expected to attend the event this year. The Morinville Community Cultural Centre is located at 9502 100 Ave.
