One of the many things that makes Airdrie special is the dedication community members have to helping each other and building a strong, connected community.
Even though Airdrie is a one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, it’s known for having a small-community vibe. And that applies to Airdrie’s business community, too.
Airdrie business owners have stayed connected for more than 20 years through the Airdrie Business Club. The group meets weekly and consists of approximately 30 members. Sherry Jenkins, mortgage broker with Indi Mortgage and longtime member of the Airdrie business community, is one of the founding members.
“We have one person from each industry,” says Jenkins. “Generally, that’s our philosophy, so we don’t have any conflict. And it is really designed to build business up, to share opportunity, build friendships and just help each other out.”
The group meets every Thursday morning for breakfast and networking. Each week, one of the members prepares a speech or presentation to share about business or life in Airdrie. Jenkins says each person presents at least once a year, and the club will occasionally bring in guest speakers, too.
The Airdrie Business Club also gives back to the community through an annual charity golf tournament. Members have been organizing the tournament for 10 years, and Jenkins says the money raised has increased every year.
In 2025, a total of $24,000 was raised and split between two organizations. One of the recipients was the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada, as one of the members is personally affected by MS, and the other was the Airdrie and District Hospice Society.
“We chose Airdrie Hospice because they don’t get the same money as other charities will get,” says Jenkins. “We’ve been supporting them from the beginning.”
The club chooses charities based on suggestions from members. Club members also pay quarterly fees, and a portion of that money is donated to helping families in need with groceries at Christmastime.
“It gives us the ability to go out as a group and help with different things in the community,” says Jenkins.
The club was formed in 2002 to provide a place for business owners to connect, share opportunities, relate with one another and support each other through challenges. Jenkins says coming together as business owners has been especially beneficial since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which challenged many businesses.
“For clubs to last as long as this one has, it’s quite unusual. I think that says a lot,” she says.
The Airdrie Business Club is always open to accepting new members (sign up at airdriebusinessclub.com). Jenkins says the group is consistently changing, and some members run small businesses with few employees, while others run larger operations. There is an obligation for members to attend events and get involved in the community and club’s initiatives.
“You have to be visible in the community to be a business owner,” says Jenkins. “People have to know that you’re there and what you’re doing. It’s all part of being in a community like Airdrie.”
