It’s coming up to that time of year again when the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce recognizes the hard work, innovation and success of local business owners.

For the first time since 2019, the awards will be held in person, at the Ponoka Community Golf Course on Oct. 15. Along with the new venue, the categories have changed this year as well.

“We have switched things up a bit,” said executive manager Heather Bendera.

The usual categories of small, medium and large business of the year remain the same, as well as business person of the year and customer service person of the year, however, there will now be additional awards for new business of the year, legacy business of the year and service/community group of the year.

The new business of the year award will be given to a chamber member that has been in operation from one to six years.

The winner of the legacy business of the year will be a business that has been in operation for more than 20 years within the same family.

The service or community group does not need to be a chamber member, but must have sustained growth and show considerable involvement in the community and have a dedicated focus and mandate.

Nominations open on Aug. 29 and will close on Sept. 16.

Chamber members (excluding chamber board members) may nominate themselves. All nominees must be an active employee within a member business or be a member business that is in good standing with the chamber.

Businesses and/or individuals may only win in one award category (exception: Customer Service Person and Business Person of the Year). Previous nominees/winners can be nominated in the same category as years past.

The chamber is currently seeking sponsors for the awards.

The evening will begin with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The awards will then start at 8 p.m.