– Christie Ray is the CEO of the Prince George Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at christie.ray@pgchamber.bc.ca.
PRINCE GEORGE – Most workplaces foster team-based relationships, but there is something incredibly special about engaging as teams within your community. On August 3rd, our Chamber participated in ‘The Big Squeeze’ event organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George.
The event builds friendly competition among businesses and organizations who work to create the best lemonade and serve it at individual lemonade stands throughout the city. There are two trophies (and associated bragging rights) up for grabs: 1) for the best tasting lemonade, as deemed by a panel of judges, and 2) for the team which raises the most money. All donations help raise funds that go towards proactive mentoring programs in Prince George.
This year, our team didn’t just come up with an amazing Watermelon Mint Lemonade recipe but we upped the ante by producing a trailer for a fictitious summer blockbuster movie: “The E-lemon-ator”.
The movie trailer, uploaded to YouTube (https://youtu.be/4q8kjq_GiaA), spurred the competition and helped create a stream of friendly banter on social media in the days leading up to The Big Squeeze event.
It took only 4 hours to raise $6125 between the 15 participating businesses and organizations! The weather was sunny and warm which made for excellent lemonade-drinking conditions. Customers pulled up in vehicles to our ‘drive thru’ while others ordered lemonade for the whole office. This is such a fun annual event and we are already making plans for next year!
We’d like to thank some the amazing Chamber members who donated door prizes and supplies to support our Big Squeeze efforts: Midway Purnel (PG), MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual (PG), Pine Centre Mall, Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum, Barkerville Historic Town, and Wendy’s Restaurant (PG).
As for upcoming events, the next big focus for our team is the Business Excellence Awards Nominees Luncheon taking place on September 15 at the Coast Inn of the North. This event will offer guests a chance to meet Prince George’s best in business! This year we received more than 110 nominations so the room will be packed with excited nominees, their friends and families.
Attendees will share the room with our fabulous nominees and be among the first to hear who has made it to the finals in each of the eleven award categories.
The top four nominees from each award category will move forward to the voting round and will be highlighted at the Business Excellence Awards Gala on October 22nd. Those interested in tickets may call our Chamber at 250-562-2454 or register online at www.pgchamber.bc.ca.
