After a year's hiatus, the 2024 Business Excellence Awards are back April 26. (File Photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

MEL-BEX

Meadow Lake business awards making a triumphant return

Apr 18, 2024 | 6:20 PM

The MLBEX Awards are coming back.

After a year-long hiatus, the best in business that Meadow Lake has to offer will welcome guests to the Chamber of Commerce fundraiser on April 26

“We didn’t set any goals, just – just trying to make it as big an event and make that comeback and raise awareness to all the people in Meadow Lake that we’re back and the Chamber’s going to be thriving,” said Trevor Dignean, chamber administrator.

This year the Meadow Lake Business Excellence Awards will be held at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre on Fri., Apr. 26 and this year will feature 11 categories.

“We’ll have three recognitions for community builder,” he said.

Writing Group

Writers group host inaugural May 2 at Meadow Lake Library

9h ago

Ekweskeet Healing Lodge

Province announces new detox spaces at Onion Lake Cree Nation

11h ago

Leaving a Legacy

Remembering Ray Mitsuing: A CPCA legend on and off the track

15h ago

“We haven’t done MLBEX in a while, we thought that’s usually one that gets a lot of attention, lots of nominees and it’s pretty tough to split hairs on the winners.”

The other categories for the event include Small and Large Businesses of the Year, Female Entrepreneur, Customer Service, New Business, Young Business Leader, Indigenous Leader, Male Entrepreneur, Non-profit, and the Roots of Hope Workplace Mental Health Award and showcase businesses’ initiatives and focuses are around mental health.

“I think since COVID, that’s a vital piece of all business.”

Nearly 60 nominees, made up of individuals or businesses have been put forward and Dignean said he wanted to have the nomination process mean something.

“We try and stress that is the importance of the award, it’s not the winners,” he said, noting only one winner can be chosen.

“Someone has taken the out of their schedule to nominate you.”

Dignean explained that the planning for the event began months ago which was a big reason for last year’s hiatus.

“It’s kind of tough ‘cause it’s only – there’s only one employee for the Chamber in Meadow Lake and that’s myself,” he said.

“For one person, it is a lot of work sometimes.”

Tickets are nearly sold out and they’ve had to add two extra tables.

“The enthusiasm over the tickets has me pretty excited, the sponsorship for prizes has been just phenomenal.”

The event will run from 5 to 11 p.m. and Dignean asks that people call 306-291-3775 for tickets.

For more information, visit the Chamber’s Facebook page.

—

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On X: jls194864