Nominations are open for the 2017 P.W. Enns Business Awards.  The honours for Business Excellence, Business Builder for under 10 and over 10 employees, Customer Service, and Not for Profit Service Awards will be handed out at the Winkler and District Chamber's annual Awards Gala, April 20.
    
Chamber Executive Director, Tanya Chateauneuf said these awards are a perfect avenue for them to reflect on the businesses in our community who are outstanding in various ways.  "We have such a fantastic business community, always striving to do better and do great things within our community, so it's quite easy to find businesses worthy of these awards."

Although it isn't hard to find a business worthy of recognition in our community, the tough part can be getting people to nominate someone.  "It's really a simple nomination form to fill out," said Chateauneuf.  "Even if you want to do it over the phone with us, or stop by and pick up a nomination form, we're here to help.  Let's just get as many businesses recognized as possible."

Nomination forms outlining all the criteria a business needs to fit can be found on the chamber's website.  Chateauneuf said if you're not sure if the business you want recognized fits all the criteria, submit the form and the chamber will review it.  

The deadline for submissions is December 31st, 2016.

Meanwhile, the Chamber is bringing back its Elf on the Shelf promotion again this year.   "We had such a great response from the community, as well as the businesses involved last year that it just made it easy for us to do this year," said Chateauneuf.  

This year the Elf's time spent at each retail location will be shortened to two days each to accommodate more participating businesses.  Chateauneuf said the Elf on the Shelf is a pretty easy sell, noting they have quite a few returning businesses from the promotions inaugural year in 2015, and quite a few new ones.

The name of the game is to locate the Elf hidden somewhere at the participating retailers, which then gets you entered into a draw for a number of great prizes.