The large foyer at Sara kulturhus is made for just this kind of seating. It accommodated just over 700 people.
Alvargalan is Skellefteå's major business gala, named after the business Alvar Lindmark, who once founded Alimak.
For the second year in a row, the event was held in Sara kulturhus, and the party had gathered just over 700 participants.
After mingling and dinner in the large foyer, it was time to wander to the main stage for the awards ceremony. In each category there were three nominated companies or people who had been anxiously waiting to hear their names read out. Preferably as a winner, of course.
Alexander Harpa received the most attention and was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year. His company Latitude 65 was also named newcomer of the year and brand of the year.
– I am very proud and happy to have been nominated in so many categories, he said before the award ceremony.
The company makes a sports drink. The drink went on sale in autumn 2021 and the company has already grown to have eight employees. The warehouse is located in Jörn, a place located at latitude 65, hence the name.
Will there be anything for us? Daniel Önneberg and Alexander Harpa chatting just before the award ceremony started.
Alexander Harpa is CEO and co-owner. Co-owners Örjan Berglund and co-owner/sales manager Daniel Önneberg were also present at the award ceremony.
Latitude 65 was nominated for awards in five classes, and won three.
For the sake of clarity, it should be mentioned that there is a Skellefteå company whose name is very similar to Alexander's company. It is Latitude 64 that makes discs for disc golf, located in Skellefteå (at latitude 64). This company also received an award, as export company of the year.
Another happy winner was Jonas Sjölin, who is CEO of På Lövångers Bygg. They were the company of the year.
Joy at the Lövånger table. Jonas Sjölin of Lövånger Bygg, which was named company of the year, and Emmelie Ahlback and Selina Ahlback, Lövångergården, who did not receive a prize but were pleased to have been nominated.
Here are all the winners:
Service Company of the Year: Skellefteå Bildemontering
Sustainable company of the year: Green Flight Academy
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Alexander Harpa, Latitude 65
Newcomer of the Year: Latitude 65
Export Company of the Year: Latitude 64
Trade Company of the Year: PMU, Pingstkyrkans Second Hand
Growth company of the year: Compositbalkonger i Fällfors
Innovation company of the year: Fumex
Brand of the Year: Latitude 65
Small Business of the Year: Bankgatan's Kafferep
Profile of the year: Maria Broman
Company of the Year: Lövångers Bygg
Green Flight Academy received the award for most sustainable company: Johan Norberg, Cecilia Holmlund, Axel Nordegren
The nominated companies had their representatives at tables down by the stage.
While the other guests were in the audience...