News

Small Business Week will be celebrated across the country this week, and the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce has planned a long list of activities for business owners to learn, network, and celebrate Grande Prairie's small business success stories.

The festivities kicked off Monday morning with a FREE breakfast at Centre 2000, including an official proclamation by Mayor Bill Given and Reeve Everett McDonald.

In addition to proclaiming the official start of Small Business Week in Grande Prairie, the breakfast recognized the sponsors that make this great week of activities possible, and saw the announcement of this year’s Business Excellence Award Finalists.

Three finalists were announced in each of the six award categories:

BEST NEW BUSINESS
- Bombshell & Ransom
- Go Social
- OMG! Cupcakes

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
- Chris Balderston (Maddhatters Liquid Lounge)
- Danielle Cherewyk (Tanglez Hair Studio)
- Stephanie Cooney & Brenda Magnusson (Liquid Chicks)

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
- Dwayne Head (GPRC)
- Maureen Bailey (Recycle Plus)
- Melissa Makarenko (Willsey Davis & Co. LLP)

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE
- Beairsto Lehners Ketchum Engineering
- Tony Roma’s
- Vintage Wine & Spirits

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (Less than 10)
- Friesen Bain Chartered Accountants
- LaValley Physical Therapy
- The Rabbit Hole Bookstore

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (10+ Employees)
- Crouse’s Cleaners
- Grande Prairie & District Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities\
- Stojan’s Power Sports & Marine

A full list of Small Business Week events, as well as online registration for ticketed events, is available on the Chamber of Commerce website at www.GrandePrairieChamber.com