The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce welcomed new Board members at their Annual General Meeting held on March 22, 2018 at the Badlands Community Facility. Elected for three-year terms with the Chamber of Commerce were:

• Joanne Contenti of Scotia Bank
• Joanne Hodgson of Fountain Tire
• Roger Stevenson, of ProPlan Financial Group/The Cooperators
• Barry Fullerton

Current President Brock Harrington was re-elected for a two year term.

The Chamber also said farewell to some Board members - Past President Shelley Rymal and Directors Brent Walker, Chris Sadler and Jason Blanke. The Chamber thanked the outgoing members for their years of dedication and commitment.

The evening began with a wine and cheese networking reception, followed by the Annual General Meeting. Reports were given by Chamber President, Brock Harrington and Executive Director, Heather Bitz. Mayor Heather Colberg brought greetings from the Town and Constituency Assistant Mr. Damien Kurek brought greetings from MP Kevin Sorenson. Audited financial statements for the organization were also presented. The evening concluded with an open forum.

Report Package Part 1: Minutes and Reports

Report Package Part 2: Financials

Have your say in who wins this year's Business Excellence Awards! There are once again 6 award categories to choose from. Vote for who you would choose to win each award category starting on April 17. Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday, April 24. CLICK HERE TO VOTE.

And then make sure to get your tickets to the Celebration of Excellence on June 15 where we'll announce the winners, along with the winners of the Rotary Awards: Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Most Courteous Employee and Citizen of the Year, and the Town of Drumheller FCSS's Leaders of Tomorrow awards. Tickets on sale May 1.  

A fantastic evening where we honor the amazing businesses, groups and youth in our community. Awards will be presented by the Drumheller Rotary, Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Drumheller.
When: Friday, June 15, 2018

Where: Badlands Community Facility.

The celebration will honor individuals and businesses for their achievements and contributions to the community. Together the group will present a total of twelve awards, including:

• Rotary Awards: Most Courteous Employee, Citizen of the Year, and Male and Female Athlete of the Year;
• Town of Drumheller Youth Leaders of Tomorrow: one award for students in grades 7-9 and one for students in grades 10-12.; and
• Chamber Awards (aka the Business Excellence Awards)- Small and Large Business of the Year, Most Promising New Business, Arts, Culture and Community Award, Diversity Leadership Award, and Business Professional of the Year Award.

The semi-formal evening will feature cocktails and dinner with musical entertainment followed by the awards presentation emceed by Jason Blanke.

Nominations are now closed.

Tickets are $40 each including GST and can be purchased at the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce, Town Hall, SJ Fashions or Centre Street Insurance. Seating is not assigned unless you purchase a full table of 8 tickets.

The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce (DDCC) was the proud recipient of the 2017 Chamber of the Year Award for chambers with a membership of 151-350 on Saturday, May 26. Staff members, Heather Bitz and Marley Henneigh accepted the award at the 80th annual Alberta Chambers of Commerce AGM and Policy Session in Grande Prairie, amongst a group of over 100 of their peers.

The award recognizes Chambers of Commerce that have made significant efforts and accomplishments in their respective business communities. The DDCC was selected for a variety of achievements in 2017, including the Business Advocacy Committee's success in advocating for a shop local component in the Town's Purchasing Policy, the addition of the Lunch & Learn program, a second summer operating a mobile Visitor Information Center at the Royal Tyrrell Museum and other great partnerships and projects.

"It is a great honour to be recognized amongst our fellow Chambers of Commerce for our efforts in the business community, and we thank all of our Board of Directors, staff, and members that contributed to our success over the past year," stated Heather Bitz, Executive Director. Heather has been with the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce for 16 years.

Fellow recipients of the award included St. Paul (membership up to 150), Lloydminster (membership of 351-650) and Red Deer (membership over 650). The DDCC had previously received the award in 2013, when it was the host Chamber for the 75th annual Alberta Chambers of Commerce AGM and Policy Session.

The 2018 Celebration of Excellence took place on June 15 at the BCF, and was a great success! Here are the award recipients:

DDCC Business Excellence Awards:

• Arts Culture & Community Award winner- Salvation Army
• Diversity Leadership Award winner- Boston Pizza
• Most Promising New Business Award winner- Hoodoo Voodoo Cycle & Motorsports
• Small Business of the Year- A.M.R Dance
• Large Business of the Year- Boston Pizza
• Business Professional of the Year- Jason Blanke

Town of Drumheller & FCSS Awards:

• Leaders of Tomorrow Award, Grade 7-9: Nolan Ranger (DVSS) and Emily Martin (St. Anthony's)
• Leaders of Tomorrow Award, Grade 10-12: Evelyn Stanger (DVSS) and Brigo Castillo (St. Anthony's)
• Badlands Scholarship: Keely Martin

Rotary Club of Drumheller Awards:

• Male Athlete of the Year: Chase Sattler
• Female Athlete of the Year: Eden Hilchey
• Most Courteous Employee: Priscilla Berniko
• Citizen of the Year: Graham Giffin

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