Fifty guests made their way to the Fernie Best Western Plus Mountain Lodge on April 23 for the Fernie Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting.
“It was a fantastic meeting,” Fernie Chamber of Commerce executive director Patty Vadnais said. “It was a great atmosphere.”
Mayor Mary Giuliano was in attendance, bringing greetings from the city.
Vadnais noted that the chamber’s goal is to work more closely with the city this year.
“Our focus in the upcoming year is to work closely with the city and build some relationship there, as well as give our members a number of tools to help them grow their business,” Vadnais said.
The chamber also reviewed their annual report, highlighting the work done by governance and membership committees.
“Our committees this year have been exceptionally well run,” outgoing board president Todd Fyfe said. “We have a fantastic structure and very clear terms of reference for each of the committees. I look forward to those committees producing more great work in 2015.”
Eight nominees also came forward, running for the six available board positions. Newly elected members, Sheila Byers, Graeme Nunn, Paul Arcoite, Anita Palmer, Steve Preston and Alicia Clarke will join Fyfe, Vanessa Croome, Tristan Woods, Ryan Frazer, Geof Hare and Tammy Odgen to create the twelve-member board.
Incoming board president Sheila Byers and Vadnais held a panel discussion, covering items in the Chamber’s strategic plan that focus on financial sustainability, membership services, advocacy and governance.
Vadnais noted that the chamber hopes to start hosting workshops and different educational events, including Business Book Nook, where the Fernie chamber will collect book recommendations from members and share them through program partners, including the Fernie Heritage Library, Polar Peek Books and Treasures.
Representing over 260 businesses in Fernie and the Elk Valley, the Fernie Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to strengthen commerce in the Fernie area.
Vadnais noted that their hope in the next year is to, “really support our membership so that they can be the best businesses they can be.”