Chamber has big plans for this year

By Rob Vogt, Claresholm Local Press

The Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce is going to take a look at what its goals and direction are and should be.

At the chamber’s regular monthly meeting on May 16, President Amanda Zimmer reported the chamber executive recently met with Tracy Acorn of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce where they talked about the role of the chamber.

Consequently, the chamber will be doing a strategy session to re-group and have better focus.

Zimmer noted other chambers focus on advocacy on behalf of their members to municipal, provincial and federal governments, and promoting businesses.

Post card contest

The winners of the chamber’s postcard contest were announced.

“We had some awesome pictures,” said Zimmer.

There were 38 entries received, and the winners were: Maurice Beebe, Laird Biteranta, and Betty Fieguth.

Mexican Fiesta

The annual Mexican Fiesta will be held at downtown Amundsen Park on June 22.

Festivities will include a jalapeño-eating contest, best dressed señor and señorita, and food such as taco in a bag, chorizo sausage, and taco in a bowl.

Stavely’s Unique Character House (SUCH) Drama group will also be providing entertainment.

Postage stamp contest

Information has been sent out to local schools about the chamber’s postage stamp contest.

Information will also be posted on social media.

The contest seeks artwork featuring, “My Claresholm”, that is something that represents Claresholm to the student.

There will be three categories for elementary, junior and high school students.

The winner in each category will be turned into a postage stamp that can be purchased locally and used to mail a letter or package.

The entry deadline is June 1, and entries can be submitted to Todd Buhmiller at Widescreen Media Design and Embroidery.

Parades

Members were advised the chamber is welcome to enter a float in the Fair Days parade on Aug. 11 and the Canada Day parade in Granum. Volunteers are still needed to do that though.

Meeting dates, times

The chamber will canvas members, using Survey Monkey, to see whether they want evening or noon meetings.

The next meeting of the Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce will be Wednesday, June 20 at noon at Putter’s at the Bridges at Claresholm Golf Club.

Mystery town tour

Keith Armstrong, a chamber director, informed members about the “Mystery town tour”, an idea he saw in another community.

It is designed for people to wander around a town, to solve a mystery, while visiting local businesses and attractions.

He said he will do more research and report back.

President’s report

Zimmer also reported the chamber is looking at creating welcome packages both for new businesses and new residents.

Liaison to council

Members were advised Brad Schlossberger, a councillor with the Town of Claresholm, will be at every meeting as a liaison to council.

“I want to hear from chamber members,” he said, as he passed out business cards.

Feast of Claresholm

The chamber was told about the upcoming Feast of Claresholm, which will highlight locally-sourced food but decided not to sponsor it.

Instead, they suggested the town’s Economic Development Committee be approached.