Following the demise of Canmore Business and Tourism in July, a newly-formed Chamber of Commerce which will embrace the entire valley will become a reality on Jan. 18.
The Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce incorporated as a not-for-profit society on Nov. 8 and will officially launch as a membership-based business community on Jan. 18.
With six volunteer members in place as a founding board, the new chamber will provide a voice for local, provincial and federal advocacy and representation on issues affecting member businesses across the communities of Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Dead Man’s Flats, Exshaw and Kananaskis – to the western boundary of the Cochrane Chamber of Commerce.
In a press release, Brian McClure of the chamber’s executive committee stated the chamber will be the Bow Valley’s business champion: an organization for local entrepreneurs and business owners to grow and connect, finding the support and programs needed to thrive and prosper. It is established to create and promote an inclusive, visionary, balanced and sustainable business environment, with subsequent development of vibrant, effective networks and responsible leadership across all economic sectors in the Bow Valley. Whenever possible, partnerships will be established with key local organizations to collaborate on mutually relevant issues and to avoid redundancy and the duplication of resources.
“We’ve had volunteers working 12 hours a day,” said McClure, “and we’re all looking forward to the launch, when things will quiet down a little.”
In the works for future chamber members will be a portfolio of cost effective Canadian Chamber of Commerce group insurance and health and dental benefits programs, discounted affinity programs, multiple events and networking opportunities, a member business directory, and a community and chamber events calendar.
The chamber was formed with the support and guidance of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce, which recommended broad geographic coverage with an initial membership launch in the larger business community of Canmore, with the goal to engage membership from all the communities in due course.
The volunteer founding board, acting as an executive committee, will effect the statutory and administrative responsibilities required to successfully launch a chamber in Alberta. Board members come from various sectors of the local business community, with professional backgrounds in business performance optimization, governance, marketing, sales, social media, accountancy and administration. Between them, they have over 20 years of collective experience as board members with various longstanding, not-for-profit societies in the Bow Valley.
Founding board members are currently serving a six-month term of office, after which they will, in the normal course of events, step down for the new membership to elect a representative board of directors by way of standard chamber of commerce election protocols.
The Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce launch will take place at Canmore’s artsPlace during a Business After Hours event sponsored by Bow Valley Moving Company. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. with a presentation on various programs and membership registrations at 6 p.m. Reservations for the business after hours event can be made at http://bit.ly/2i6u8aL. For more information, email [email protected].
