DIDSBURY - The Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to another great year with plenty of projects on the go, say officials. At its recent annual general meeting the chamber talked about some of those and elected a new board.
DIDSBURY - The Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to another great year with plenty of projects on the go, say officials.
At its recent annual general meeting the chamber talked about some of those and elected a new board.
Brian Chita of Smart Web Solutions was elected president of the chamber for the second consecutive year. Also elected were vice-president Laurie Klassen, ATB Financial; secretary Deborah Johnson, RBC; treasurer Ian Kennedy, Kennjak; and directors Greg Poirier, AG Foods; Rob Steer, Longhorn Painting; Gil Enns, Gil's Truck and Auto; and Kyle Turner, Mountain View Credit Union.
Also at the meeting, Margo Ward was honoured for her many years of service and commitment to the chamber and the business community.
Chita said it has been a busy past year for the chamber with many new initiatives.
"Thanks to a great board and many hours, and Diana (Steer), we were able to move forward quickly and efficiently," said Chita.
On June 17, the chamber started out with a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, said Chita. The new vision statement became: to be a dynamic voice by building a vibrant, prosperous business community through strong, consistent leadership.
The organization also moved from a board of trade to a society and is now able to apply for provincial grants as an Alberta Society.
"For many grants there is a one-year waiting period before we can apply," he said. "The time clock has started and we look forward to the following year on availability."
Chita said the chamber bucks program was a success in its kickoff with over $14,000 spent in the local shop local campaign.
"We will continue over the next year to grow awareness in the fundraising opportunities for service organizations through the chamber," he said. "The chamber gave $1,400 back to organizations to help fund their activities."
The chamber featured a new logo with the iconic train station symbolizing the early frontiers of Didsbury as the railroad brought in people and prosperity to the area, said Chita. "Not only does the logo identify our location but it is a true landmark of history in Didsbury."
The chamber also launched the Chambers for China Trip, which has so far helped raise over $8,800 for the chamber "with lots of time for that number to climb," said Chita. "We've also started a business mentorship program with members of the chamber and others in the community helping out others."
New last year was a breakfast speaker series with the first being Dena Wannamaker on time management.
"The chamber looks forward to growing this in years to come," said Chita. "The second breakfast series is March 21 with Lowell Grasse on mentorship in business. This will be a great topic as we don't have to be alone in business. We can gain valuable knowledge and wisdom that someone else has gone through it."
Chita also said the chamber now has a small business centre with printing, free Internet and faxing all available for local businesses to help foster growth.
"With the town's help, we now have three office spaces available at very affordable rates to help that next step of business growth from home to office, or perhaps just needing space," he said. "The offices are upstairs at the train station."
Chita said the chamber is looking forward to continuing to develop its breakfast series, mentorship and business centre.
"On the agenda is for us to foster business retention through education, advocation and economic development," he said. "We want to work with the town to make Didsbury ready and open for business more than it is, so we can be thriving and growing and make Didsbury 'A Place to Grow.'"
