The seventh annual Portage la Prairie Chamber of Commerce Best Business and Community Volunteer Awards Gala's coming up November 24th, and organizers are looking for nominations.

Chamber Executive Director Cindy McDonald feels it's an important component in fostering a positive environment, especially for new businesses.

"To know that the business community all sticks together, and we want to help each other out, and help each other succeed and prosper. And giving out those awards is one way of doing it, to say, 'congratulations on all your hard work, and it's actually paid off,' because sometimes you don't get that recognition. But when you get recognized from your peers, I think it means a lot."

McDonald believes the event's gaining momentum.

"It's very impactful. People are humbled by it. It's just a great event to see that, and to celebrate, and to be excited about our area. So I think that's why, over the years, it's been building momentum. The Community Volunteer Awards is always one of my favourites, because volunteers make things happen in this community."

She adds it's becoming important to a wide range of people in the region.

"People are seeing the value of those awards as well. I'm getting a lot more nominations, especially from the Community Volunteer Awards. I always get overwhelmed by those volunteer wards, especially Citizen of the Year. I think it means a lot to people, and people are proud of themselves, and proud of their community, when we have have people that are that calibre."

The nomination deadline's September 30th, but she urges you to submit soon. The forms are on the Chamber website. Here's a link to the Best Business Awards. Ands here's the link for the Community Volunteer Awards.