Chamber reflects on 2017

By: Justin Seward

Commentator/ Courier

The Bow Island-Burdett Chamber of Commerce held its first AGM of 2018 on Feb. 7 at town hall and each member gave their reports on what was a busy and successful 2017.

Canada Summer Jobs/Summer Students

Chamber vice president Corinna Roth-Beacome said Canadian Summer Jobs-summer students Rachel Grigg and Kaitlyn Byam were both extraordinary students who helped with moving forward local projects such as updating website information and connecting with businesses who were viable in the community. She hopes to continue the business updating if the funds are available for the student again this year.
The students also worked with Market in the Park in making sure there were scheduled events every Wednesday evening , while hosting the Go Girl event during the summer months and educating what facilities are available in for health and fitness in Bow Island for self esteem and body image.
Additionally, there were a lot of young males the summer students worked with in summer programming.

Skate with Santa
The annual event saw a increase to between 80-100 people attending the event and more families came out.

Trade Show
Chamber of commerce president Bernice Deleenheer said the annual trade show vendors were down to 40 last spring because of the later date of the show. Despite the low amount of vendors, booths were spread out and vendors had commented that they felt the show was full again. Attendees was the same as past years.

Small business week
DeLeenheer said the awards night on Oct. 20 was well received. Two speakers on the night were Theresa Hardiker of the EDA and two ladies from Avail CPA. All the delegates had questions thrown their way.
However, she said there were two award winners that attended and the 2018 presentations will be looked at differently to get all the nominees out to the ceremony.

Community Futures/Entre Corps

DeLeenheer has sat on the board since October 2015 and served in the chair position since November 2016.
Upon the completion of the 2017 Youth Entrepreneur camp, it was decided the local rotary club in 2018 will take over the operations of the camp where their board will have three rotary members and three Entre Corps staff and members.
The name change to the Rotary Entrepreneurial Camp will commence in 2019.
She said the board is happy about the transition because there were liability concerns over the last couple of years .

Market in the Park
Kathy Nixdorf said it was a tremendous success in 2017 and had hardly any rain outs. The market celebrated Canada’s 150th with a special contest that recognized a different province each week.
TLC Farms took over this year as the food vendor.
Vendor count increased this year to a maximum 22 with an average of 17 each week.
The market was able to purchase a sign that was installed at the east entrance of the town with the help of the chamber.
Entertainment increased with performers which included guests from the Medieval Society, Early Childhood Development, two movie nights, Cory and Rylie Schiebelbein with their teepee and trapper display.
Ace Dancers and children’s activities put on by two different churches.

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