If you haven't made it to Paris yet, don't worry. The Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce may have a smaller version of the Eiffel tower, and other French themes, at this year's Small Business Week gala. The annual event, this year named An Evening in Paris, is taking place on Thursday, Oct. 16. And once again, organizers are looking forward to celebrating, and meeting with, Morinville business.
If you haven't made it to Paris yet, don't worry.
The Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce may have a smaller version of the Eiffel tower, and other French themes, at this year's Small Business Week gala.
The annual event, this year named An Evening in Paris, is taking place on Thursday, Oct. 16. And once again, organizers are looking forward to celebrating, and meeting with, Morinville business.
“The evening gives back to the business community but it also allows us to let our hair down a bit, it lets us have some time together,” said Simon Boersma, chamber president.
“We get to know each other better within the community outside of our work. It gives you a better scope of what's happening in our community and what people really appreciate.”
Now running in its sixth year, the gala will showcase 25 nominees and winners in a variety of business categories.
This year's Business of the Year will be awarded to a small, medium, large, home-based and non profit business that has demonstrated strengths and successes in areas of growth, stability, human resources and community involvement.
The chamber will also give out a community service and involvement award, a volunteer of the year award, and an award for youth entrepreneurial spirit.
The Legacy Award will be presented to a long-term business that has provided exceptional service to the community.
Boersma said organizing galas such as the one for Business Week continues to be important for a community such as Morinville.
“Business is important because we have people who want to shop local,” he said. “Local businesses make our town turn, it makes the dollar stay local.”
No costume required
An Evening in Paris will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Community Cultural Centre in Morinville, starting with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each or $350 for a table of eight.
The evening attire will be formal.
Board member Kym Moore said the chamber had contemplated giving the evening a “Ritz” feel by asking for a more fancy, Parisian-themed attire but they decided to go with formal dinner attire instead.
Unlike previous years, guests are not encouraged to dress up in costumes, she added.
“Some of our previous years we had theme nights, like last year was Chamberopoly,” she said. “But we didn't want businesses, especially those that were recipients of the awards, to have their picture taken in a costume.”
The RSVP date is Oct. 8, 2014.
For more information call the chamber office at 780-939-9462 or contact [email protected].
