The countdown is on to March 5, 2010, when The Chamber and BDO, together with Marketplace Magazine, will host a black-tie (optional) dinner to reveal the first recipients of The Spirit of Winnipeg Awards, celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship – two qualities that help define our city.

An eight-member panel of judges has selected a dozen businesses and not-for-profit organizations as the finalists in this exciting new awards program, which honours those helping to make Winnipeg a vibrant city.

Congratulations to those finalists:

NOT-FOR-PROFIT                                                  SMALL BUSINESS

Forks North Portage Partnership                                  Seccuris

Habitat for Humanity                                                     Tell Us About Us

Red River College                                                        TelPay

MEDIUM BUSINESS                                              LARGE BUSINESS

Acrylon Plastics                                                            Bison Transport

Pembina Chrysler                                                         E.H. Price

Winnipeg Parking Authority                                          New Flyer

Chamber President and CEO Dave Angus says the awards program came about as a result of the We Believe in Winnipeg campaign, in which The Chamber and the Winnipeg Free Press partnered to share Winnipeg's success stories.

"Through the Spirit of Winnipeg Awards, we're continuing to talk about all the positive things happening in our city, whether it's world-class innovators and entrepreneurs with a great business concept, a unique approach to marketing or even a new technology," Angus says.

To find out more about getting tickets to attend the awards dinner, click here.