Business award nominations still open

Staff

The deadline to nominate district businesses and individuals for the 20th-annual Rainy River District Business Awards is coming up this Monday (Feb. 1).
Jennifer Soderholm, executive director of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday that some nominations have been submitted so far but the Chamber would love to see more before online voting begins Feb. 2.
“There’s still lots of time to get them in,” said Soderholm.
The Chamber wants “to honour those who have stood out in a good way in the community, whether it’s an individual that may work at a business who’s gone over and above what is required of them” or a business that should be recognized for its excellence, she added.
Soderholm stressed any deserving business or individual can be nominated; they do not need to be Chamber members.
Likewise, anyone can nominate them.
The award categories include:
•Business of the Year;
•Entrepreneur of the Year;
•Employee of the Year Award;
•Business Woman of the Year;
•Customer Service Award (Individual);
•Customer Service Award (Business);
•Home-Based Business Award;
•Small Business Trainer of the Year Award; and
•Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award.
Nomination forms are available from the Chamber’s website (www.fortfranceschamber.com)
Forms also are available for pick-up at Energy Fitness, La Place Rendez-Vous, Northwoods Gallery & Gifts, NCDS, and the Chamber office.
Nomination forms can be returned in person, by fax (274-8706), or via e-mail at thefort@fortfranceschamber.com
The online voting process will from Feb. 2 until Monday, Feb. 8 at 11:59 p.m. (keep reading the Daily Bulletin for details on how to vote).
The winners then will be honoured at the annual awards gala, which is set for Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Rendez-Vous.
“We’re really excited about this year’s event,” enthused Soderholm.
“With all that we’ve got going on for it, it sounds like it’s going to be absolutely fabulous.
“Hopefully, we can encourage people to nominate businesses that are deserving of these awards, and hopefully the community will come out and support these businesses the night of the awards,” she added.
Everyone—Chamber member or not—is welcome to attend the gala, which will include dinner and “The Wonderist” (Chris Funk), who was featured on the TV show, “Penn & Teller Fool Us.”
Cocktails at are 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30. Tickets cost $45 each for Chamber members and $50 for non-members.
Chamber members can get their tickets at the Chamber office while non-members can get their tickets at Northwoods.