Chambers of Commerce look for new members

Andrea Klassen Medicine Hat News

For Southeastern Alberta’s chambers of commerce, 2010 is all about finding new members and retaining those already on board.

The chambers for Brooks, Medicine Hat and Drumheller all reported membership numbers have dropped slightly or stayed flat over the past year. David Stroh, president of the Chamber of Commerce for Medicine Hat & District, says this year’s board of directors wants to focus on providing more services and information, increasing the value of a chamber membership.

“We’re making sure that people . . . will be able to make one call and receive the assistance they need, get the answers that they require and find out that, yes, Medicine Hat is a great place to do business,” he says.

Stroh says the Chamber is looking at designing a more interactive website, and producing pamphlets to answer commonly asked questions about business in the city.

He says this year’s events will also focus on networking and information sharing, with motivational speakers and presentations topping the list.

❝

Tracy Acorn, manager of Brooks’ Chamber of Commerce, says membership numbers in her city have stayed relatively stable, with new members replacing those who left due to the recession.

Because of the economic

downturn, businesses are looking for new ways to reach out

❞

“Because of the economic downturn, businesses are looking for new ways to reach out,” she says. Benefits of chamber membership such as group insurance and fuel and shipping discounts may also “count a little more than they might have in past.”

Victor Vandor uses the same

high quality denture techniques he taught students at the NAIT Denturist Program.

He takes his artistic talents and 17 years of experience to create smiles people love.

Free consultations

“Look and feel your best!”

Free consultations

By Appointment Only Please

108, 1424 Southwiew Dr. SW, Medicine Hat, AB (new mall across from London Drugs)

30 — REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA 2010 ■ Celebrating our Community

Pat Weisgerber

ASSOCIATE

403-548-0698

Ask about the lower dentures that will not lift or move!

Plans for the chamber’s annual trade show - which will have a centennial theme in honour of Brooks’ 100th birthday - are well underway, she says, with most of the space already sold.

The Chamber also plans to run its second annual Reader’s Choice Awards this year. Ballots with categories ranging from ‘favorite park’ to ‘best place to buy gifts for men’ will be distributed in Brooks’ local papers this summer.

While membership has stayed static at Drumheller’s Chamber of Commerce, staff member Shari Christensen says local members are reporting 2009 was a successful year, due to the increase in tourism to the area.

The Drumheller Chamber plans and sponsors a number of local events, including the annual Canada Day Parade and a Midnight Madness shopping event in late November.

Christensen says she’s also hoping to increase membership by raising awareness about the chamber’s group insurance program.

“I’m from a farming community,” she says. “So I want to have it in my community, with all the local farmers who don’t have any access to group insurance.”

Tracy Acorn David Stroh

List Your Home or Buy Your Home with Pat! Professional & Experienced! Where Quality

Meets You!

Our Team

53647500•03/30/10

53688300•03/30/10 Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120