ALSA Awards

The 2016 ALSA award winners celebrated their accomplishments at a special reception held early October. The Chairman’s award was won by Kensington Wine Market. Other awards presented were the Zone Retailers of the Year, Don Eby Memorial Service Award, ALSA Education Award, the New Member Award, and the Irv Kipnes Award for Excellence in Retailing.

The ALSA Chairman’s Award is presented to a store owner who has demonstrably provided outstanding service to the retail liquor industry. This award is in memory of former ALSA Chair Lynn Prefontaine, who passed away during her term. This award honours her belief in small business and independently owned stores and their commitment to customer service and communities. The recipient must have been a member of ALSA for the past three consecutive years.

2016 Winner: Kensington Wine Market, Calgary

Greater Edmonton Zone Retailer of the Year — Color de Vino, Juanita Roos (left) and Kelsey Roos

ALSA’s Zone Retail Awards recognize excellence in retail sales and service in each of ALSA’s zones/regions in Alberta. The Zones are Northern (north of Highway 16), Southern (South of Highway 1), Central (Between Highway 16 and Highway 1), Greater Edmonton and Greater Calgary.

This award recognizes quality, variety, success, and service.

Central Zone Retailer of the Year winner – Patti Wiltse of Western Spirits

Southern Zone Retailer of the Year winner – Kyle Szabo of Westminster Liquor Store

Greater Calgary Zone Retailer of the Year winner – Bob Richardson from Crowfoot Wine & Spirits

ALSA Education Award winner–Gerald Proctor of Wine and Beyond

The ALSA Education Award is presented to a retailer who has provided outstanding service to the retail liquor industry in the area of education. This award recognizes a retailer who is committed to the industry by transferring knowledge through staff and customer education.

This store is involved in:

√  Tastings, demonstrations for staff and/or public
√  Keeping the website current with events, new products, new staff, etc.
√  Completing staff training and demonstrating a commitment to having staff that are knowledgeable about the products they sell
√  Providing excellent customer and community service and has received testimonials and/or letters of appreciation
√  Showing a willingness to approach suppliers for additional and detailed information

2016 Winner: Wine and Beyond  at MacTaggart Ridge, Edmonton

Don Eby Memorial Service Award winner – Stacy Jo Strombocky of Renaissance Wine

The Don Eby Memorial Service Award recognizes a supplier representative who has provided outstanding service to the retail liquor industry. This award is in memory of former ALSA Director Don Eby, who passed away April 26, 1997.

This individual portrays:

√  Professionalism
√  Good product knowledge
√  Excellent customer service
√  Willingness to help solve challenges
√  A demonstrated interest in contributing to their company’s operation with up-to-date price lists, merchandising material etc.

2016 Winner:  Stacey Jo Strombecky – Renaissance Wine, Edmonton

ALSA’s New Member Award is presented to a retail store that is a new member of ALSA and demonstrates excellence in retail sales and service.

From Craft Cellars, Left to right – Steve Trickett – Marketing & Events Manager, Darcy Wood – Managing Partner, Samantha Henderson – Administrative Manager

2016 Winner: Craft Cellars Beer-Wine-Spirits, Calgary

The Irv Kipnes Award for Excellence in Retailing – David Owens from Sherbrooke Liquor Store

The Irv Kipnes Award for Excellence in Retailing is an industry-peer nominated award to showcase a store that is showcasing excellence in retailing liquor.

2016 Winner:  Sherbrooke Liquor Store, Edmonton