The 2021 Warman-Martensville Business Excellence Awards (WMBEXA) will take on a new look this year, as the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce (PSCC) looks to recognize businesses that are helping overcome difficult conditions in their communities.
“Our business community has faced unparalleled disruption and uncertainty in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said PSCC Executive-Director Jaimie Malmgren.
“During these unprecedented times, we have witnessed powerful stories of resilience, heart, grit, compassion, determination, and leadership. Excellence in 2020 took on a whole new meaning and as such we are transforming our 6th annual WMBEXA Gala to showcase and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and resiliency of the many businesses throughout our region.”
On Thursday, May 27 the PSCC will virtually honor multiple businesses in each category who have demonstrated their ability to quickly adapt and respond to business disruptions in the face of the global pandemic and the economic hardship that it has caused.
“We have adapted our categories to better reflect what businesses experienced in 2020,” said Malmgren.
The new categories include: Microw Warrior, COVID-19 Business Champion, Service Re-imagined, Community Hero, Break Out New Business, and Influential Employer.
The Micro Warrior Category recognizes businesses with 1-5 employees who have demonstrated resiliency, perseverance, compassion, determination and an ability to adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
The Business Champion category recognizes businesses with more than 5 employees who have demonstrated resiliency, perseverance, compassion, determination and an ability to adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
The Service Re-imagined award celebrates businesses who took advantage of 2020 to build new connections with customers. Leveraging the new and often unprecedented circumstances of this past year, these businesses served customers in new and tailored ways. Whatever the specific circumstance, if you switched things up to better serve your customers, this category is for you.
The Community Hero award celebrates businesses who went above and beyond to support the community in which they operate this year. It celebrates businesses that made outstanding contributions to the community. From pitching in to help neighbors, to launching a new business initiative that helps others during these challenging times, if you chipped in to support your community meet the challenges that 2020 has brought, this is the award for you.
The Breakout New Business category recognizes businesses that have been in operation for less than 3 years and have demonstrated perseverance and an ability to adapt to the challenges presented by the global pandemic. Under normal circumstances, entrepreneurs face many challenges; however, opening a business during a pandemic presents a whole new level of challenges. These entrepreneurs took the leap and have shown that they have what it takes to make it!
The Influential Employer category recognizes businesses that demonstrate leadership in their commitment to providing a safe workplace for staff and a safe environment for customers and clients.
Malmgren said while the PSCC recognizes the past year has been one of incredible hardship among the business community, it has also brought businesses and community together.
“It is our goal to recognize and celebrate the inspiring efforts and achievements of as many businesses as possible.” she said.
The PSCC has simplified the WMBEXA applications to it easier for everyone.
“We witnessed so many innovative and inspiring ways that businesses adapted to the challenges of the last year and want to be able to celebrate them all,” said Malmgren.
On February 15, 2021, nominations will open for a two-week period. Nominations will be accepted from anyone……staff, customer/clients, family, colleagues, even self-nominations. Show your love for local by nominating a business or two. Applications will also open on February 15th but will remain open until Friday, March 12, 2021.
While it is not a requirement, nominees are encouraged to submit a short one min video explaining how COVID-19 impacted their business and how they’ve changed their operations to adapt. These videos will be shared on the PSCC social media platforms.