Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Although this year's Business Awards gala was cancelled, the show still goes on.
Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce (JPCC) called off the Oct. 23 reception due to the increase in COVID cases across the province.
But to give the nominees the recognition they deserve, features of each and every one are being broadcast on JPCC鈥檚 Facebook page throughout this week.
Pattie Pavlov, general manager of JPCC, said, "They're interviews with each nominee - what they do, what their operations looked like this year, how they mitigated things within the pandemic.鈥�
Dave Callan volunteered to film and edit each interview.
Nominees for the Individual Award of Distinction were featured on Oct. 19 and included Kelly Bossio, Kelly Dawson, Sean and Joy Prockter, and Bruno Ritter.聽
Broadcast on Oct. 20 will be nominees for the Non-Profit Organization of the Year: The Jasper Food Bank, Jasper Employment & Education Centre, ACFA (French cultural association), and the Jasper Community Team Society.聽
On Oct. 21, the two Corporate Citizen of the Year nominees are featured: Coco's Cafe, Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection.聽
On Oct. 22: to be broadcast are nominees for the Survival to Revival Award: Bearfoot in the Park, Noella Bossio, owner/operator; Downstream Restaurant & Lounge, Soto Korogonas, owner/operator; Earls in the Rockies, Rob and Becky Olson; Tekarra Color Lab Ltd., Hugh Lecky, owner/operator; Jasper Event Management, Jordan Tucker, Elsa Begrand; Elysion Florals, Colleen Chalifoux, owner/operator.
On Oct. 23, Business of the Year Award nominees will be featured and include: Nero Mechanical Services; Evil Dave's Grill; JFI Foods.
"We are planning a way to appropriately award the winners in each of these categories," Pavlov said. "Check the Chamber's Facebook page for details."
Chamber president Justin Melnyk, said the awards are important because, "It's good to recognize businesses that exceeded (expectations) and were able to overcome the difficulties with COVID."
"It's good for everyone to tune in and make sure they watch (the videos)," Melnyk encouraged.
