Richard Froese
South Peace News

One of two hosts of the popular Canadian TV show Canadian Pickers is coming to town this fall.

The High Prairie and Area Chamber of Commerce will welcome Sheldon Smithens as the guest speaker at the annual Small Business Week Gala on Oct. 22 at the Triangle Hall.

Chamber executive director Rodney Gainer made the announcement at the chamber’s annual general meeting July 6.

“Leading up to the event during Small Business Week, we’ll be hosting a few different workshops and bring in a few speakers, that will be motivational, and focus on issues such as leadership, workplace wellness, and employee retention,” Gainer says.

Original episodes of the Calgary-based Canadian Pickers aired from April 2011 to December 2013 as Smithens and Scott Cozens travelled across Canada to pick and buy a variety of collectibles and antiques.

Last year, about 250 people heard former CBC-TV show Dragon’s Den co-host Vikram Vij at its awards gala. The chamber was committed to feature another well-known speaker this year.

“We wanted someone that was recognizable not just to business people, but to the wider community,” says president Tracy Sherkawi.

Other opportunities for members and businesses to engage and grow have been planned.

“We’re working on a few events for this fall,” Gainer says.

A Christmas party is scheduled for Dec. 3.

“It is targeted for home-based businesses and for businesses with five or few employees, to get together,” Gainer says.

More details on the Gala and Christmas party will be released in the coming months.