Recipients of 2009 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction

Appears in the April issue of Business In Calgary, pg 15-16

Excellence in Alberta’s business community was celebrated in Edmonton as the winners of the 18th annual Alberta Business Awards of Distinction wereannounced at a gala that brings business, community and government leaders together to recognize and celebrate the innovative ideas developed by Alberta businesses. Every year the nominees range from small operations to major corporations showing the diversity of Alberta’s business community and highlighting its strengths.

“We were honoured to win the Marketing Award of Distinction this year from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce,” says Kevin Halliday, owner of Spindles, Stairs and Railings, winners in the marketing division. “These awards promote the best in business that Alberta has to offer, and to be recognized as a leader in marketing in such a competitive marketplace is truly remarkable.”

“Marketing has always been an important part of our business and growth. Our advertising agency, Francomedia.com, developed the Build-A-Stair Workshop application for our website to help consumers and builders with making their selections online. We didn’t build it to win awards, we built it to increase business; it’s great that we got both.”

Award finalists are eligible to win the coveted Premier’s Award of Distinctionpresented to the employer exhibiting outstanding involvement, achievement and leadership in the business community. The winner of the Pre-mier’s Award of Distinction, the evening’s most prestigious honour, was Rogers Insurance of Calgary. The following is a list of the other nine recipients:

Aboriginal Woman Entrepreneur
Muskwa Productions and Consulting – Tsuu T’ina

Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneur
Hytek Computer Sales and Service Limited –
Rocky Mountain House

Diversity Leadership
Frito Lay Canada – Lethbridge

Employer of Persons with Disabilities
Canada Safeway Limited – Calgary

Employer of Youth
Good Earth Coffeehouse and Bakery – Calgary

Small Business
Mathieu Hryniuk LLP – Peace River

Marketing
Spindle, Stairs & Railings – Calgary

Aboriginal Relations – Best Practice
ESS Support Services – Calgary

Aboriginal Relations – Eagle Feather
Samson Management Limited – Hobbema

Spindle, Stairs & Railings is the largest stair manufacturer that produces and supplies its own wood in addition to custom milling, manufacturing and installing. Spindle, Stairs & Railings owns it's own tree farm and trains installers through its inhouse school.