Meridian Source - October 28, 2021

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Thursday, October 28, 2021

VOLUME 4 I ISSUE 18

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Award to empower women in business

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Jill Kelly, owner of Red Bicycle Communications, accepted the Small Business of the Year Award at the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards at the Stockade Convention Centre on Oct. 21. Kelly also announced a new award for women to be added to the program next year. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. There will be a new award for Women in Business at future Business Excellence Awards hosted by the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce. The new awards category was announced by Jill Kelly, owner of Red Bicycle Commu-

nications and Chamber president, Paul Melro se- Wyatt, during this year’s awards night at the Lloydminster Stockade Convention Centre on Oct. 21. It will go into effect in 2022 as a way to promote gender equality in business ownership in Canada. Reading from pre-

pared notes, Kelly noted 98 per cent of businesses in Canada are small businesses and of that, only 16 per cent are owned by women. “In 2016, Canada fell from 30th to 35th place in the global gender gap rankings by t he Wor ld E conomic Forum,” said Kelly.

“It was estimated that by promoting gender equality, we could add $150 billion to Canada’s GDP annually.” Kelly said helping women to become empowered to become business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs and high-level executives is not only essential to gender equality, but it is also essential to see Canadians grow their economy. “Remember, by simply empowering women we could literally add billions of dollars back into our economy,” stressed Kelly. She said that’s why Red Bicycle and the Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the new award for Women in Business to the community going forward. The award will recognize t he cont ribu tions of businesswomen in the Lloydminster region and put the spotlight on these women for future generations as inspirational role models. “It’s great to hear about the growth and

support for women in the business community,” said MelroseWyatt. “I look forward to celebrating the first award recipient next year.”

It was estimated that by promoting gender equality, we could add $150 billion to Canada’s GDP annually.

Kelly set herself up to become a potential nominee herself after accepting the Small Business of the Year Award earlier in the evening. “I didn’t plan on being up here,” she said as the award took her by surprise. “As everyone in the room can attest to, no business is done by themselves. Thank you so much to the entire community who have supported Red Bicycle over the years, to

our amazing staff who are here tonight and our friends and amazing clients—we could not have done it without you.” The full list of business category award winners is as follows: Think Lloyd FirstAmbassador Award— Wayside Dental (Dr. Nekky Jamal) Lifetime Achievement Award—Mike Sidoryk Small Business of the Year Award—Red Bicycle Communications Employer of the Year Award—MNP Integrity Award— Thorpe Recovery Centre Diversity Award— RBC Non Profit of the Year Award—Residents in Recovery Entrepreneur of the Year Award—Flowers on the Fly by Audina Community Spirit Award—Videre Images Downtown Business of the Year Award— McCaw Funeral Services Customer Service Award—The Hive Business of the Year Award—Guardian Plumbing and Heating


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