The Rocky Mountain House Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for this year’s business awards at the Denim & Diamonds Awards Gala.

The finalists were whittled down from a record of just under 60 nominations, says Michelle Meatheringham, executive director of the Rocky Chamber. The finalists are determined by a Chamber committee that determines which businesses best fit criteria in each category.

The awards will be handed out in nine categories this year:

Business of the Year (1-15 employees)

• Westend RV Repair
• The Prairie Creek Inn
• Trimline Signs & Graphics

Business of the Year (15+ employees)

• Blue Mountain Power Co-op
• Shoppers Drug Mart

New Business of the Year

• BJ’s Pub
• Krazy Lanes Bowling
• Big D’s Custom Cutting

Home-based Business Excellence

• John Dough’s Stone Fired Pizza
• Big D’s Custom Cutting
• Perepelkin Farms

Excellence in Marketing

• Rival Trade Brewing Co.
• Trimline Signs & Graphics

Business Resiliency

• Riderz
• Trimline Signs & Graphics

Philanthropy of the Year Awards

• Next To New

Customer Service Award of Excellence (Individual)

• Amanda Fischer- RHM Trimline Signs & Graphics
• Shauna Hulberg- Cherubs Gifts & Home Decore
• Kelly Lorencz- Impact Hair Design

Cindy Taschuk Community Builder of the Year Award

• TBD

During the evening attendees are invited to dress up elegantly, or dress down into less formal denim attire. Along with a welcome drink, attendees will enjoy a delicious, catered dinner.

Along with the awards, the annual event serves as a great networking opportunity for businesses to network and collaborate, says Meatheringham.

Business award winners will receive a custom wooden plaque made by a local craftsman. Officials say the wooden plaques made with locally sourced lumber, really speaks to the essence of the area.

This year’s event will be emceed by Kevin Gangel, CEO of Unstoppable Conversations— an organization that has been facilitating community transformation workshops throughout the region since 2024.

Meatheringham adds, the evening will serve as a great opportunity for residents to learn more about the Unstoppable Conversation initiative, and how it aims to transform the Rocky community in positive ways.

Other awards are set to be presented during the evening. That includes the Town of Rocky Mountain House’s Citizen of the Year Awards, The Rocky Ag Society’s ‘Young Farmer Award’, and Clearwater County’s Farm Family of the Year.

Denim & Diamonds goes Friday March 7 at the Lou Soppit Community Centre. Click here for tickets.

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