Carol Robbins wins Outstanding Retail award from CCTA

Carol Robbins with her Outstanding Retail Service Award
Valerie Marr photo

Toni Lucas

Carol Robbins of Welch's Chocolate and Candy in Waterton won the Chinook Country Service and Tourism 2014 Outstanding Retail Service Award Southwest . The awards banquet was held in the Yates Theatre in Lethbridge on October 1.

"I am totally speechless for the first time in my life," said Robbins.  "Family and friends would get such a charge out of this.  'Mom?  At a loss for words?'," she laughed.  "I was so thrilled.  It wasn't about the winning.  Even getting nominated, just the recognition is a thrill."


"A business is only as good as everyone that works within it," said Robbins, who said she strives to have a good working relationship with her staff and customers. "Right from owner, through management, to every single staff member."  She likened it to the links on a chain. "If it snaps, and doesn't hold strong, we are all in trouble.  We have to all work together."

"We have had Welch's Pie and Coffee Shop, and Welch's Chocolate and Candy, it will be 25 years next summer. My mom and dad started the candy stores in Banff, 54 years ago. It's a family tradition. I will be here another 25 years, God willing."

Related story:  Bear Scare in a Waterton pie shop

Southwest Service and Tourism Awards held in Lethbridge

Chinook Country Tourist Association press release

Chinook Country Tourist Association celebrated the Southwest Service and Tourism awards on October 1.  The purpose of the awards is to honor those in the service and tourism industry whose efforts help make Southwest Alberta a great place not only to visit, but to live.

Pictured: Winner of Visitor Information Centre Pat Ness, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and Richard Chevrier Chinook Country Tourist Association Board President and Sponsor of the award.

The Southwest Awards recognize outstanding customer experiences in the region as well as outstanding businesses that enhance the awareness of Southwest Alberta as a destination.  There were eighteen categories to celebrate these accomplishments.  The categories ranged from Restaurant of the Year and Event of the Year to individuals who excel in customer service such as retail, attractions, and adventure tourism.  A full listing of all the nominees can be found on www.bestofthesouthwestawards.com.  The winners of the Southwest Service & Tourism Awards are listed below.

• Outstanding In Accommodation Service – Jim Swanton, Paradise Canyon
• Outstanding In Adventure Tourism – Randy & Ginny Donahue, Sierra West Cabins & Ranch Vacations
• Outstanding Attractions Service – Colin Weir, Alberta Birds of Prey Centre
• Outstanding Events & Conferences – Chris Meilleur, Southern Alberta Food & Beverage Expo
• Outstanding Food & Beverage Service – Fenny Harpell, Taber Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre
• Outstanding Retail Service – Carol Robbins, Welch’s Chocolate Shop
• Outstanding Health & Wellness Service – Steve Mundell, Alpenland Ski & Sports
• Outstanding Home & Trade Service – Ken Menzies, KB Heating & Air Conditioning
• Outstanding In Media – Brooksie, Country 95
• Outstanding in Sports & Recreation – Linda Soenen, Park Lake Paintball
• Tourism Champion – Downtown Lethbridge BRZ
• Outstanding Travel & Transportation – Holly McLean, Red Arrow
• Visitor Information Services – Pat Ness, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
• Volunteer Champion – Kinsmen Club of Coaldale
• Accommodation of the Year – Country Encounters Hospitality Inc.
• Festival/Event of the Year – Love & Records
• Municipality of the Year – Town of Nanton
• Restaurant of the Year – Wieners of Waterton

We are so proud of all the nominees and winners! Without their hard work and effort tourism in Southwest Alberta would not be as vibrant as it is.  “Although you may not recognize it, let me assure you that not only are the services of these hard workers essential to the livelihood of our growing population but the fashion in which they deliver them is unrivaled through the rest of Canada.  Your friendly demeanor, your tendency to take the time to listen to customers and your welcoming Southern Alberta way are hallmarks to this important industry,” says Chinook Country Tourist Association Board President Richard Chevrier.

Chinook Country Tourist Association Visitor Information Centre assists over 20 000 visitors each year, providing a variety of information from maps of the area, to relocation information to where to eat or sight see.  Tourism is the world’s fourth fastest growing industry, generating $80 billion per year in Canada alone.  Across Canada over 600 000 people are employed in tourism.  Jaci Zalesak, Director of Client Relations at Chinook Country Tourist Association says, “Southwest Alberta has approximately 1,000 tourism related businesses and employs about 6,000 people in the industry.  The region has an abundance of events and unique attractions including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  Tourism influences people when they are considering relocating to a new community or starting a new business.  We are proud to take the steps to honor the people and businesses that make tourism in our region successful and Southwest Alberta such a great place to live and visit.”

The Southwest Awards will be an annual event. Next year’s nominations will open in April 2015.

Chinook Country Tourist Association is a Destination Marketing Organization located on the corner of Mayor Magrath Drive & Scenic Drive South in Lethbridge, AB. The non-profit organization markets Lethbridge and Southwest Alberta as a tourist destination, representing stakeholders in the region through services such as website presence, print publications, visitor information services, and an online reservation system.