Ponoka Chamber of Commerce celebrates 2026 Business Award winners

PONOKA -- The Ponoka Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the achievements of the local business community.

This came as part of their annual Business Excellence Awards, which was held at the Stagecoach Saloon on Friday, Oct. 23. The event saw a sold-out crowd of nearly 250 guests gather to celebrate local businesses at this year's "Diamonds and Denim" gala. The evening honoured 10 businesses, leaders, and organizations chosen from a field of community nominations.

"Tonight was proof of what makes Ponoka special," said Bruce Clarke, Chamber President. "Every finalist in that room has earned their place. These are the people and businesses who show up for this community every day, and it was an honour to celebrate them in front of a full house."

Clarke offered his congratulations to the winners, to the finalists, and to all nominees for being part of the 2026 Business Excellence Awards, for their hard work, and for their continued involvement. Here are this year's award winners:

Start-Up Business of the Year: Hometown Vision
Young Business Leader: Shelby Goedhart
Small Business of the Year: Ponoka Family Chiropractic
Medium Business of the Year: Timber Coffee Co.
Large Business of the Year: HT Catering and Meats
Agricultural Business of the Year: Heartland Feeds
Service/Community Group of the Year: Ponoka Youth Centre/BGC Wolf Creek
Customer Service Person of the Year: Andrew Hinton, McDonald’s
Legacy Business of the Year: Sommer Home Hardware Building Centre
Businessperson of the Year: Jamil Rawji

The Customer Service Person of the Year was chosen by member vote, then a public vote. This year's gala also marked a new experience for the awards and the attendance, as the Ponoka Chamber of Commerce recognized its 2026 scholarship recipients, Grady Topham and Chloe Yadlos. With thanks to both, Grady was able to attend, and Chloe sent a video of thanks.

"Our scholarship recipients are the future of this community, and they represent it so well," said Clarke. "Seeing local businesses invest in young people the same night we celebrate their own success is exactly what the Chamber is about."