The Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting at the Coleman Legion on Wednesday, November 18. Seven local Chamber members were elected to the board of directors for a year, including three return members and four new recruits. The Chamber also handed out its annual awards, which featured two brand new categories this year.
Ten people put their name forward to run for the Chamber's board. The members present at the AGM voted, and the seven individuals elected to the board of directors were Jenine Trotz, Richard Buckle, Shar Lazzarotto, Rick Breakenridge, Randall Whiteside, Markus Beck, and Anita Ferguson.
John Redekopp, John Salus, and Allanah Sheriland also put their names forward, but were not elected. Lowry Toombs, who was president for the past two years, did not run for this year's board due to personal reasons. The new board will meet in the near future to decide upon an executive, including a president, from within their ranks.
Jenine Trotz, who chaired the AGM, spoke about several of the Chamber's activities in 2009, including the walking trail initiative, which with the help of the municipality and other agencies has made great progress in the past year. Trotz also noted that the Chamber's local trade show is now the only one still operating in the region, as Pincher Creek, Sparwood, and Fernie have cancelled theirs.
In addition, the Chamber worked with the NIT Inter-Cultural Campus to create a mobile kiosk that they will bring into operation next year. The Chamber is operating a new highway services sign program, and Devon Canada has sponsored a new main street banner program with the Chamber.
According to the Chamber's unaudited 2008 financials, the organization spent approximately $107,000 in 2008 between all their programs and administration, while bringing in $105,000 in revenue.
This year the Chamber turned over the organization of the Christmas in the Mountains festival to an independent committee. Barb Kelly, who sits on that new committee, said that the first year did relatively well, and that the committee is open to new ideas for next year. "I thought it was a success," she said. "Especially the parade. It was seeing all those kids waiting for Santa Claus."