The Brandon Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2023 Business Achievement Awards (140th annual) at their Annual Awards Gala Thursday evening, April 13. Business Person of the Year: Barry LaRocque, Atom-Jet Industries Business Excellence (Large):   Daydreams Esthetics Spa Business Excellence (Small):  Friends Fur Life Daycare and Grooming Outstanding New Business: Tweed Media Community Impact: Brent Miller, Victoria Inn & YMCA of Brandon Lifetime Business Builder: Wes Norosky, South End Lumber Young Entrepreneur Award: Rhoni Mohanraj, Trident Event Group Westman’s Top 4 Under 40:  Leah Campbell (Alliance Accounting Group) , Trevor Kehler (Alair Homes), Stacy Senkbeil, (Meighen Haddad LLP) & Alex Cartlidge (Cartlidge and Cormier Landscaping Inc.) The “awards recognize, celebrate and profile the accomplishments of member businesses and individuals” each year.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) recently announced its WCG Technology Scholarship for high school students in their final year and is now open to accepting applications. The WCG Technology Scholarship is investing five $5,000 scholarships for students in their final year of high school and going into a technology field at a post-secondary school in Manitoba. “We are proud to recognize the efforts of youth who positively impact our communities,” said WCG Marketing Manager Brandi Crowe. “For over 40 years, Westman Communications Group has proudly supported the development of our communities. With a focus on youth, education and technology growth, we are thrilled to provide the financial aid and human resources needed through our initiatives, such as the WCG Tech Scholarship, to help create sustainable communities across Manitoba.” Since introducing this program over 20 years ago, WCG has contributed over $500,000 toward scholarships for high school students. The scholarship was established to support the students, the future technology leaders, who volunteer their time, excel in academics and want to stay in Manitoba to pursue their post-secondary education and careers that involve technology. To apply or learn more about the WCG Technology Scholarship Program, please visit the WCG website at westmancom.com/local-impact/education-initiatives. All applications must be submitted before 5:00 pm on June 1, 2023.

The annual Brandon Home and Leisure Show returns to Brandon this weekend at the Keystone Centre (UCT Pavilion and The Manitoba Room). The event is the perfect opportunity to get some great advice, design ideas and view the wide array of products/services from the nearly 200 exhibitors expected to be on-hand. These exhibitors will be showcasing the many services they offer from home building, contracting, home furnishings, design, kitchen & bath, outdoor leisure products, renovations, landscaping, equipment rentals and more! This year’s show is certain to offer a wonderful experience for its many thousands of visitors. Friday April 7th – 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm Saturday April 8th – 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Sunday April 9th – 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

– Westman Communications Group (WCG) recently announced that its annual Connecting Westman Tour is visiting five communities this year. The Tour made a successful comeback last year after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 health restrictions. WCG staff will hit the highway this summer, making five community stops. The Tour will kick off in Swan River on May 25 before heading to Onanole on June 22, Melita on July 20, Carberry on July 27, and wrapping up in St. Claude on August 24. “The Connecting Westman Tour is an initiative that raises funds together with the community to benefit a local cause and is something that we knew we wanted to make an annual event,” said Marketing Manager Brandi Crowe. “The warm welcome that we received and the success of our comeback Tour last year proved that this was something our communities really enjoyed and that we could carry on for years to come.” “We are proud to support local and make an impact in the communities we serve,” explained Crowe. “Being able to go to different communities each year with the Connecting Westman Tour makes us feel more connected to our members and the local fundraising causes that matter to them.” Last year’s Connecting Westman Tour took WCG to Minnedosa, Dauphin, Neepawa and Roblin. With these communities’ support, over $13,000 was raised for local charities, including the Minnedosa and Area Food Bank, Under One Roof, Cats TNR & Rescue, and the Roblin Playgrounds Revitalization Project. To keep up to date on the 2023 Connecting Westman Tour, follow WCG on social media or head to westmancom.com/connectingwestman-tour.

The Mobile Tech Lab has opened in the Corral Centre. Featuring everything from iPhones - iPads - Android products. In addition, repairs and service to most mobile phones plus gaming units and the sales of accessories. Hours of operation are from 10 am - 6 pm. Check them out at https://shop.mobiletechlab.ca/