The Kaslo and Area Chamber of Commerce has been active through the winter on a variety of initiatives intended to strengthen the organization and provide support and benefits to members.

Membership Drive – Active recruitment for new members has increased the membership from 44 members to 56.  An increase in membership not only provides the chamber with additional revenues, but also potentially enhances the diversity of the membership and brings new expertise to the table to strengthen ongoing projects.

Website – Our capable webmaster has been evaluating a variety of hosting services and has chosen a service more suited to the needs of the chamber.  Procedures and policies are being drafted to provide additional networking opportunities using the chamber website.

Community Tourism – This committee has provided tourism input to the Official Community Plan.  In addition, discussions are ongoing with neighboring communities to consider the advantages of creating a Destination Marketing Organization and to discuss complementary marketing strategies.  The committee is also working on the area Tourism Plan being developed in conjunction with Tourism BC’s Community Tourism Foundations program.  The committee is also evaluating current transportation issues.

Signage Initiatives – Two grants have been awarded from the RDCK and CBT Community Initiatives to support the development of new signage at the pullouts south and west of Kaslo, as well as the construction of a racking system on the Osprey Ferry.  It is anticipated that these signage projects will provide additional revenue streams for the chamber in addition to a significantly higher profile for Kaslo area businesses to the traveling public.

May Days and Loggers Sports – The Chamber was pleased with the feedback from the community and spectactors.  Funding from CBT provided support in offering Loggers Sports after a hiatus in 2007.

BC Chamber of Commerce – The Chamber has been actively supporting initiatives with District 8 and the BC Chamber of Commerce, including feedback on key policy issues such as transportation and child care.  It is important that smaller chambers such as ours in remote areas ensure that our voices are heard at the provincial level.