Newsletter Fall 2014
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WWilliamsilliams Lak Lakee& &District October 2014 CHAMBER of Fall COMMERCE EDITION NEWSLETTER THE VOICE OF BUSINESS Board and staff enjoying picnic bench donated by Pioneer Log Homes talented employees July 2014 2 - FALL EDITION NEWSLETTER Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce The Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce is “The Voice of Business”: Businesses working together towards economic and Board of social well being to make our community a better place to live. We promote the Directors well being of business and foster a work, shop and play at home atmosphere. EXECUTIVE President - Jason Ryll 1st Vice President Angela Sommer President’s Message 2nd Vice President Charlene Harrison Thank you again for taking the Past President - Walt Cobb time to read through this edition Directors of our newsletter. I’m certain that Elmer Thiessen you’ll learn something new about Brian Goodrich either a person, business or what Vanessa Riplinger Scot Durward the Chamber of Commerce is Mike Austin doing to promote our community Kathy McLean and help businesses in this Roger Solly edition. Unfortunately this is my Matt Ketcham Christy Smith final time addressing you as the Graeme Wallis President of the Williams Lake & Ken Wilson District Chamber, as I set my sights and goals higher in running Staff for a seat on City Council. Claudia Blair, Executive Director In a moment of reflection, the past 12 years of my Jaylyn Byer, Executive Assistant involvement at the board level with the Chamber have been an incredible learning experience. Having served on multiple PRODUCED BY committees, from website to business excellence to contract THE WILLIAMS LAKE & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF negotiations with the City, I’ve learned that it’s through the team COMMERCE AND: members of the board or its various committees that collectively Sales we can accomplish the most arduous of tasks. Together we can Papyrus Printing Ltd. achieve anything. There are three things that I am most proud of Layout & Design during my time with the Chamber and I’d like to mention them Papyrus Printing Ltd. now. Photography First, representing our businesses during very tough talks Craig Smith, Graham Smith between the Province and BC Ferries. Arguing the case, as I Printing & Distribution Williams Lake Tribune will continue to do, that Williams Lake is a ferry dependent community and a vital transportation issue to us. Without The views expressed in this newsletter are the views of the authors and do not necessarily access to our businesses via reliable transportation, our small reflect the views or policies of the Williams Lake business community will have to realize achieving less in their and District Chamber of Commerce or its Board of Directors(The Chamber) . The Chamber profitability. This is something that concerns me greatly. makes no representation concerning and does not guarantee the source, originality, accuracy, Second, the achievements our board and staff have been completeness or reliability of any statement, able to attain during my time. “Accreditation with distinction” information, data, finding, interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented. is one that we were honoured with. This means that the work the board and I were able to do to attain accreditation status was Williams Lake & District CHAMBER OF COMMERCE thorough enough in identifying our goals and strategic planning Location: structure to be recognized as one of only 3 Chambers earning 1660 Broadway Ave. South V2G 2W4 that distinction. It is a goal that I leave to the current board to Mailing address: Box 4878, Williams Lake, BC V2G 2V8 achieve again, and I have the utmost faith they will. Third, I’m incredibly proud of our Chamber being recognized (250) 392-5025 • Fax: (250) 392-4214 1-877-967-5253 • [email protected] as the “Best Chamber of Commerce” in BC award this past year www.williamslakechamber.com www.tourismwilliamslake.com con’t on page 14 ... Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce NEWSLETTER FALL EDITION - 3 watching visitors take photos of the Pioneer From picnic table, visiting with the English rugby teams and just chatting with visitors then reading their generous comments about the building and Claudia’s counsellors. Hats off everyone! Municipal election campaigns have been in full speed ahead and it makes for great debates in Desk the city. Congratulations to those who put their by Claudia Blair names forward. Employers in most sectors in particular mining We certainly had some interesting and even and logging have been hit so hard in recent years. inspiring events this past year; one of the more We have to wonder how do they recover, how do special highlights for us was being awarded they keep up with the criticism and seemingly the provincial Chamber of the Year honour. lack of support from many who don’t look at the It is due, in no small part, to our dedicated big picture. Like it or not industry contributes volunteers for putting boots on the ground in heavily in taxes and creating jobs; they are the the area of advocating. With the diversity of ones primarily responsible for schools, hospitals our membership it is impossible to get everyone and the beautiful facilities that enhance our to agree on everything however the discussions communities. Without the tax revenue and jobs and commitment from our volunteers makes the for us all, our lives and lifestyles could negatively difference. Thank you to Jason Ryll our hard change. Support your local businesses, show working President; we were happy to see him them you appreciate them by choosing Williams take a run in politics however sad to lose him Lake first. from the board. Destination BC is making changes and for Home, Auto, Seasonal & Leisure some of the 6 regional tourism associations the changes are quite drastic. Vancouver Coast & Mountains will no longer be given a provincial contract, that has to have a huge effect on how they conduct their marketing. Our own CCCTA is in the process of submitting a new contract for approval; we wish them the best of luck. We had many highlights in the Visitor Centre this year; handing out gas cards to visitors, the fishing rod program, #explorebc program, Taylor Made Cakes and Sweets Plan now for Christmas! Kevin Gray 635A Oliver Street, (beside M&M Meats) • 778-412-2979 General Manager 100% LOCALLY OWNED (250) 392-3303 • 1050 South Lakeside Drive 4 - FALL EDITION NEWSLETTER Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce Jaylyn’s Corner by Jaylyn Byer when they had visited 6 centres they Happy 8th received a free gift. They also received stamps at Provincial and National Parks Anniversary to the around BC. This program will run in Williams Lake & 2014 and 2015. District Chamber of Commerce Visitor At the end of August the 2014 summer students went back to their Universities Centre and Colleges. Regular full-time staff are still on-site to answer questions, sell September marked the eighth gift merchandise including the much- anniversary of the Visitor Centre being open in requested Williams Lake branded clothing, and the Tourism Discovery Centre. The Visitor Centre to provide specialty and regular coffees to those was opened on September 25th. needing their caffeine at any time of the day. While the tourism season seems to start in earnest We invite everyone to stop in and shop anytime, on the May Long Weekend, it continues in a steady meet our friendly and helpful staff and browse stream well through September and even trickles through our vast collection of newspapers and into October. Once again this year we hosted brochures for information on our wonderful visitors from around the world and answered region. questions on area attractions and events. This year the Visitor Centre once again offered Walt Cobb as Mayor will: the “Go Fish” Rod Loan program. Visitors to the area that did not bring their fishing rod and tackle • Assist in returning our downtown core to the jewel it once was could borrow a rod and tackle for up to one week. This was a great success again this year. • Expand and diversify our tax base with job creation a key Again this year BC Parks and the Visitor Centres • Work with Senior levels of Government to maintain throughout BC offered the Passport program, our social programs visitors to British Columbia could come into a • Work with police and Visitor Centre have their passport stamped and court system for a safer community • Continue to work on seniors and low cost April Gerwing & housing Dean Fulton • Be aggressive in our bid for stable (250) 305-2799 Home Office (250) 267-4399 Dean cell. programming at TRU (250) 267-1668 April cell. • Put the wheels in Authorized Agents for [email protected] motion for a second Winton Homes and Cottages [email protected] crossing to Westside 1060 Pigeon Avenue, Williams Lake, BC V2G 2B9 cell: 250-392-0459 www.rustlerconstruction.ca e-mail: [email protected] Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce NEWSLETTER FALL EDITION - 5 Mayor’s Message by Mayor Kerry Cook Investment in Williams Lake the Small Town Love business remains strong, with Bulk Barn promotion program in Williams and Sport Chek both adding Lake. The program showcases local signs and improvements to their independent businesses with an aim Prosperity Ridge buildings. to strengthen their competitiveness Another retailer has taken out and keep more dollars in the local building permits valued at nearly economy. So far more than 30 $2.3 million for another new applications to join the program have building and improvements. been completed or are in progress. As of Sept 30, building permits Businesses can learn more on the are valued at $10.2 million so far this year.