What’s become a dormant chamber in the High Country is stepping up its game starting next month, says its president.
Among Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce president Richard Brotherston’s plans to bolster the organization and move it towards success are partnerships with other chambers and tourism-related groups, more collaboration with businesses and chamber-led events.
The first step, he said, is establishing a new executive at the chamber’s annual general meeting. The meeting takes place Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at Hard Knox Brewery in Black Diamond.
“Once we get the new board together we have to get some sort of a meeting together to come up with objectives and roles,” he said. “We want people to take a look at what we’ve put down as a plan moving forward and get feedback from them whether they like the ideas, don’t like the ideas, and have more input on it.”
Brotherston said the key to moving the chamber forward is consulting and partnering with other chambers in the region, as well as tourism-related organizations like the Foothills Tourism Association and Black Diamond Turner Valley Intermunicipal Economic Development Committee.
“What we need to do is start communicating with all these other chambers,” he said. “If Diamond Valley is going to host an event we should get input from all of these regional chambers to get the word out, for one, bring people to the event and promote the region as a whole.”
Brotherston has already been collaborating with other chambers to determine what is working for them and what isn’t. He’s got a few ideas to bring to the executive.
“Typically chambers work on a volunteer basis, but some charge a fee for service for any work done by the chamber,” he said. “If a Town or organization wants to hold an event and wants the chamber’s help or benefit, they could charge a fee.”
Brotherston added that some chambers, including the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce, have also found success in hiring a full-time administrator. He envisions a part-time paid position for the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce.
He would also like to see the chamber host events in the High Country, starting twice a year including one during Small Business Week.
In addition to increasing the profile for the chamber, Brotherston said he would also like to improve its reputation.
“Businesses in the area, in general, definitely have become disenchanted with the chamber as a rule,” he said. “When we advocate for business we need to be able to sit at a table and have a conversation that works well to resolve any issue or to move anything forward. Stakeholders need to be willing to come to the table with thoughts and ideas.”
Although the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce was once thriving with 70 active members, Brotherston said that number has dwindled to about 35 and maintaining an executive has been challenging.
Not only did few people step up to the plate to serve on the executive a year ago, said Brotherston, but some key members stepped down due to personal reasons. By last summer, the executive found itself with just a president and directors, he said.
“After the summer we tried to get a few meetings together, but there wasn’t enough present to make quorum,” he said. “We wanted to move the chamber forward to get clarity around what the vision is moving forward and get some traction going, but with the lack of members we couldn’t achieve that.”
Rather than let the chamber fall by the wayside, Brotherston said he’s determined to see it flourish.
“There are things that can be done to bring more business and help a business to thrive through the tough times,” he said. “That’s part of what the chamber needs to focus on to have businesses come to us and say we’re struggling, is there anything you can do for us. We can put our heads together.”