It's Award Season in Lacombe & District, and We Want to Hear From You!

It's Award Season in Lacombe & District, and We Want to Hear From You!

There's a certain kind of energy that shows up in Lacombe every fall. Maybe you've felt it too. The leaves start to turn, the Chamber office gets a little busier, and business owners across town start whispering to each other, "did you nominate so-and-so yet?"

That's right. Nominations are officially open for our Business Awards season, and we could not be more excited.

Why This Matters

Every single day, small business owners across Lacombe & District are unlocking their doors, taking risks, and pouring themselves into work that makes our community better. Most days, nobody's cheering them on. Running a business is hard. It's easy to feel like no one sees the long hours, the tough decisions, and the quiet sacrifices that keep the lights on.

That's exactly why this matters. A nomination reminds a business owner that their work is seen. It reminds them they're valued. And honestly, it reminds all of us what's happening right in our own backyard. When we celebrate our own, people shop and invest closer to home, and that strengthens our whole local economy.

So if there's a business, a farm family, a non-profit, or a local hero who's been going above and beyond, now's your chance to say so.

Two Galas, Two Chances to Celebrate

This year we're hosting two celebrations.

The Lacombe & District Business Awards Gala takes over the Lacombe Memorial Centre on October 23rd with a Masquerade Ball theme. Nominations close September 1st, so don't wait too long.

Categories include Best Young Entrepreneur, Best Not-for-Profit, Best New Business, Best Small Business, Best Medium Business, Best Large Business, Best Home-Based Business, Best Business in Lacombe County, Community Champion, Employer of Choice, People's Choice for Customer Service, Lifetime Business Achievement, Farm Family of the Year, the Dawn Parent Legacy Award, and Digital Presence.

The Blackfalds Business Awards Gala follows on December 4th with a Winter Stardust theme. Nominations for this one close October 1st.

Categories there include Young Entrepreneur of the Year, New Business of the Year, Home-Based Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Medium Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Community Champion, Customer Service Excellence, Employer of Choice, Digital Presence, and a brand new one this year, Neighbourhood Favourite.

Some Inspiration, If You Need It

Not sure who to nominate? Think about the coffee shop that always remembers your order. The contractor who showed up early and stayed late. The farm family who's been feeding this community for generations. The business that quietly writes a cheque every time a local team needs new jerseys.

We've seen incredible stories come through these categories over the years. Businesses like Cilantro and Chive, who've given back more than $200,000 to local causes through their Burger of the Month program. Families like the Kraays, whose corn maze has been bringing this community together for over two decades. Businesses like Lacombe Ford, who show up for youth sports and charitable causes again and again without being asked.

Somewhere in Lacombe or Blackfalds right now, there's a business or a person doing something just as good, and they don't even know they're award-worthy yet. That's where you come in.

How to Nominate

It only takes a few minutes. Visit lacombechamber.ca for the full nomination criteria for each category.

Take a moment this season to recognize the local business owner in your life. It matters more than you think.

We can't wait to see who you nominate.

Our Airport, Our Future: Why the Lacombe Regional Airport Master Plan Survey Matters

The Lacombe Regional Airport Master Plan survey is open right now, and we want to make sure every business owner in our community takes a few minutes to fill it out. Here's why it matters.

More Than a Runway

It's easy to drive past the airport and not give it a second thought. But from where we sit at the Chamber, the airport is one of the most underrated assets our region has.

When a company is scouting Central Alberta for a place to invest, "there's a good airstrip ten minutes away" carries real weight. It means corporate aviation access. It means medevac and firefighting support when it counts. And every business based at the airport, from maintenance shops to flight training to aerial applicators serving our ag sector, means jobs and tax base for our region.

That's not a playground for a few hobby pilots. That's economic infrastructure.

What Success Could Look Like

We're not talking about becoming the next big passenger hub. Success for our airport looks like full hangars with a waiting list. Aviation businesses setting up shop right here. An asset that pays its own way and gives Lacombe an edge when investment decisions are being made.

Getting there starts with a plan. And a good plan starts with hearing from you.

Your Voice Shapes the Plan

The Master Plan will guide decisions about the airport for years to come. What gets invested in. What gets prioritized. What role the airport plays in our region's growth.

That's why the survey matters. Whether you use the airport every week or have never set foot on the property, your perspective counts. Maybe you see opportunity. Maybe you have concerns about noise or traffic. Maybe you just want to know the airport won't be a drain on municipal budgets. All of that belongs in the conversation.

Take Five Minutes Today

The survey is quick, and the impact is long term. If you haven't filled it out yet, now's the time!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LacombeAirport

Have questions about the Master Plan process or want to talk about what the airport means for your business? Give us a call or stop by the Chamber office. We'd love to chat!

Lacombe Days Is Almost Here!

There is something special about the second weekend of July in our town. The streets fill up. The smell of pancakes drifts down 50th. And everywhere you look, neighbours are out together having a good time. Lacombe Days is back, and we cannot wait!

Mark your calendar for July 10 to 12. Three full days of celebrating the place we are lucky to call home.

A weekend built for everyone

Lacombe Days has always been about community first. It is the kind of event where you bump into half the people you know and meet a few new ones along the way.

The parade rolls out Saturday morning at 9:00, so grab a spot early and bring a bag for the candy! A big thank you goes to the Lacombe Rotary Club for keeping the whole thing running smoothly, year after year.

From there, the weekend is packed. Pancake breakfasts to start your morning right. The midway for the kids and the kids at heart. Museum tours that remind us just how much history this town holds. And the Night Market, which has quickly become a favourite for so many families.

To cap it all off, head out to The Track on 2 for an evening of standardbred races, live music, and a fireworks show lighting up the Lacombe sky. It is the perfect way to close out the weekend.

Good for our community, good for business

Here at the Chamber, we love Lacombe Days for one more reason. It is wonderful for our local businesses!

Weekends like this bring people downtown. They fill our shops, our restaurants, and our patios. They give visitors a reason to discover what we already know. Lacombe is a fantastic place to spend time and spend money close to home.

If you own a business here, this is your weekend to shine. Roll out a special. Set up a sidewalk display. Say hello to every new face that walks through your door. A great Lacombe Days experience turns a first-time visitor into a regular customer.

We will see you there

Lacombe Days is volunteer powered and community driven, and that is exactly what makes it ours. Behind every pancake flipped and every float decorated are people who care deeply about this town.

So come on out. Bring the family. Bring your neighbours. Let us show everyone why there is no better place to be than right here in July.

For the full schedule and all the details, visit lacombedays.ca.

See you on the parade route!

She Means Business. And She's Coming to Lacombe.

Mark your calendar. On March 2, 2027, the Lacombe Memorial Centre is hosting the She Means Business Prairie Summit. One day, around 250 women, and a whole lot of ambition under one roof.

We have been dreaming about this one for a long time. Now it is real, and we cannot wait to tell you about it.

So what is it? The Prairie Summit is a one-day conference built for the women driving business across Central Alberta. The founders and the dreamers. The ones running the show and the ones just getting started. It is a day to learn, to connect, and to walk out feeling like anything is possible.

Here is what we love most about it. We are bringing a world-class business event right here, to Lacombe. No long drives. No big-city price tag. Just a powerhouse day of inspiration in our own backyard, built for our own community.

The lineup is coming together beautifully. We will have keynote speakers to make you sit up straight, and we will be announcing those names very soon. Trust us, they are worth the wait.

Around the keynotes, expect a full day of substance. A real-talk panel with women leading businesses on the front lines across our region. Breakout sessions on the things that actually move the needle, from building a brand that sounds like you to silencing that little voice of self-doubt we all know too well. And the connections you make over coffee might just be the best part of the whole day.

None of this happens without the businesses who believe in it. A huge thank you to our early supporters who said yes before the doors were even open. Burman University. New Country 95.5. Busted Ladies Lingerie. Holm Collective. Supernova Creations. Gift Smack. You are helping make this day happen, and we are grateful.

Want to be part of it? There are a few ways in.

Come as an attendee. Tickets and registration details are coming soon, so keep an eye on our website and socials.

Come as a sponsor. If you want your business in front of 250 driven women from across Central Alberta, and you want to stand behind something that matters, let's talk. We have sponsorship spots at a few levels, and we would love to find the right fit for you. Reach out and we will send the details.

Spread the word. Know a woman in business who needs this day? Tag her. Tell her. Bring her along.

Lacombe has always known how to show up for its own. This is our chance to do it again, in a big way.

More to come, and soon. We will see you on March 2.

Chamber of the Year. And This One Belongs to You.

We have some news worth celebrating. The Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce has been named Chamber of the Year by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.

We are proud. We are a little stunned. And mostly, we are grateful.

Here is the thing about an award like this. It does not go to an office or a logo on a door. It goes to a community. And ours is something pretty special.

Since 1924, this Chamber has existed for one reason. Because the businesses of Lacombe and district wanted it to. More than 350 of you carry that forward today. The shops on Main Street. The trades and the ag operations. The home-based startups and the family businesses passing the torch to a second and third generation. When the Alberta Chambers of Commerce looked at what we built together this year, they were really looking at you.

So what does Chamber of the Year actually mean? It means our members show up. It means our volunteers give hours they do not have. It means a ten-member board that pours real heart into this work. It means business owners who mentor the newcomer, sponsor the event, and answer the phone when a fellow member needs a hand. That is not something you can fake for an awards application. It is who we are.

We will also share that our team earned a national nod this year. Our Executive Director is one of the country's nominees for Executive Director of the Year. That recognition is humbling, and we want to be clear about what it reflects. No one does this work alone. Behind every line on that nomination is a staff of three, a committed board, and a membership that makes the job a joy.

Here is what this means going forward. We are not going to coast on a trophy. If anything, it raises the bar. We have big plans for the year ahead, including some exciting things on the horizon that we cannot wait to tell you about soon. The recognition just confirms what we already believed. When Central Alberta businesses pull in the same direction, we are tough to beat.

To every member, volunteer, sponsor, and partner who made this happen, thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. This award sits in our office, but it represents every one of you.

Lacombe has always punched above its weight. This is just the latest proof.

Here is to what comes next.

Wendy

The Economic Impact of Local Events in Lacombe

From trade shows and markets to community festivals and business celebrations, local events do far more than bring people together — they help power the local economy.

In communities like Lacombe, events create opportunities for businesses, strengthen tourism, encourage local spending, and showcase the incredible entrepreneurial spirit that makes our region unique. At the Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce, we see firsthand how community events contribute to growth and vibrancy throughout Lacombe and District.

Events Bring Customers Through the Door

When people attend an event in Lacombe, they rarely visit just one location. A family attending the Trade Show may stop for coffee downtown, shop at local boutiques, fuel up at local gas stations, or stay for dinner afterward.

That increased foot traffic benefits:

• Restaurants and cafés
• Retail stores
• Hotels and accommodations
• Service providers
• Attractions and tourism operators

Events encourage residents to rediscover local businesses while also introducing visitors from surrounding communities to everything Lacombe has to offer.

The Chamber’s annual Trade Show & Marketplace, for example, brings together businesses, organizations, and residents from across the region for two days of connection and community engagement.

Supporting Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Local events create valuable exposure for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Markets, networking events, festivals, and trade shows give businesses a chance to:

• Meet new customers
• Build brand awareness
• Launch products or services
• Create partnerships
• Generate sales

For many small businesses, a single successful event can lead to long-term customer relationships and increased visibility throughout Central Alberta.

Events also create opportunities for home-based businesses, artisans, non-profits, and startups to participate in the local economy in an affordable and accessible way.

Tourism Creates a Ripple Effect

Events are also a major driver of tourism. Visitors attending festivals, sports tournaments, markets, and cultural celebrations often spend money throughout the community while they’re here.

Communities across Alberta have seen how tourism-related events contribute significantly to local economies. In nearby Sylvan Lake, tourism activity was estimated to generate more than $67 million in economic impact annually and support hundreds of jobs.

While Lacombe may be smaller in scale, the principle remains the same: attracting visitors supports local jobs, businesses, and community growth.

Lacombe’s historic downtown, local attractions, and community events help position the city as a welcoming destination in Central Alberta. Landmarks like the historic Flatiron Building continue to draw visitors interested in history, shopping, and local experiences.

Events Build Community Pride

The impact of events isn’t only financial. Strong community events help create a sense of belonging and pride that benefits residents and businesses alike.

When communities are active and engaged:

• People are more likely to shop local
• Businesses are more likely to invest
• Visitors are more likely to return
• Residents are more likely to recommend the community to others

Community pride plays a major role in economic development. Vibrant communities attract entrepreneurs, families, workers, and investors looking for places where people genuinely care about supporting one another.

The Chamber’s Role in Supporting Local Growth

The Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to support and promote events that strengthen our local economy and bring our community together.

From business networking events and awards celebrations to trade shows and partnerships with local organizations, these initiatives help create opportunities for businesses to grow while showcasing the best of Lacombe and District.

Every ticket purchased, every booth booked, and every local business visited contributes to the continued success of our community.

Supporting Local Makes a Difference

Attending local events may seem simple, but the impact is far-reaching. Whether you’re shopping at a market, sponsoring a community event, or attending a business networking evening, you are helping strengthen the local economy and support the people who make Lacombe such a special place to live and work.

Together, we can continue building a vibrant, connected, and prosperous community for years to come.