The Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce held their monthly luncheon at the Crowsnest Centre on Wednesday, December 9. It was the first meeting for the new board of directors, elected by the membership at their AGM in November.
The directors choose their own executive, and this year's president for the Chamber is Rick Breakenridge, owner and operator of the Spring Break Garden Centre in Hillcrest. Richard Buckle will serve as treasurer, and Randall Whiteside as secretary.
Also on this year's board are Jenine Trotz, Shar Lazzarotto, Markus Beck, and Anita Ferguson.
Trotz spoke to gathered members at the luncheon, updating them on some of the activities the Chamber was involved with in 2009. She said that the trade show was a success this year, in part due to the fact that trade shows in Pincher Creek and Sparwood were cancelled. She said that the Chamber is seeking volunteers for the 2010 trade show, and they hope to see many new businesses taking part.
The Chamber again operated the Visitor Information Centre in Sentinel this year, which Trotz says is a profitable arrangement. The Chamber is currently hoping to secure a new three-year contract to continue this operation. With the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre now running a small visitor information operation as well, the Chamber has turned over the tourist hut in Bellevue to the Bellecrest Association for their own use.

Trotz encouraged local businesses to use the planters outside their businesses to do something Christmas-related to help decorate the community through the winter, when flowers won't grow.
The Chamber is finalizing their new main street banner program for Blairmore. The new banners have been sponsored by Devon Canada. "We're hoping to get those up pretty soon," said Trotz.
She also announced that the Chamber had sold out all tickets for its Christmas party, which was scheduled for December 12.
Breakenridge, the new Chamber president, also addressed the gathered members.
"It's a pleasure to be part of the Chamber board," he said. "I'm a big believer in the Chamber. I will do my best in the next year to lead this group forward."
He added that finances are tight for some programs going into 2010, and that the Chamber will have to study the financial end of things to keep being able to operate programming at a break-even point. Memberships are their number one fundraiser, he said, and he encouraged local businesses to pay their membership fees.
... for the full story, see the December 15 issue of the Pass Herald.