2012 ANNUAL REPORT - Kamloops Chamber of Commerce

2012 ANNUAL REPORT
YOUR BUSINESS CONNECTION
1

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I have had the honour of serving the chamber as President
during one of the most ambitious and fruitful periods in our 117
year history. Some of the accomplishments are readily visible
to the public and some are unsung and may never receive the
recognition they deserve. All are a result of a forward-thinking
board and a dedicated, hard-working, creative staff.
Maurice Hindle
President
To outline some of our past year’s accomplishments:
• We continue to strengthen our financial position through
sound fiscal planning
• We purchased office space and moved to a key central
location for our membership
• We rebranded to better portray our culture
• Our Executive Director serves on the boards of the British
Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of
Commerce Executives of Canada
• Other chambers daily seek advice from our organization
• We have a long list of business leaders who desire to
serve on our board of directors.
While our strategic plan outlines many more accomplishments
to be made over the next two years, I am very proud of the
work that our team collectively achieved this year.
“A result of a forward-thinking board and a
dedicated, hard-working, creative staff”
2

CONTENTS
Policy Committee.............................................4
Chamber Building Task Force.....................5
Social Issues Committee...............................5
Strategic Plan Report....................................6
2012 Highlights................................................6-7
2012 New Members......................................8-9
Nominations Committee................................10
Board of Directors.........................................11
Partnerships.......................................................12
Community Supporters.................................12
3

POLICY COMMITTEE
MANDATE:
• To consult with business and other groups to
form local, provincial and federal advocacy
policies
• To communicate with all levels of government
to advance member and current issues
PARTICIPANTS:
Chair: Peter Aylen
Vice-Chair: Maurice Hindle
Participants: Bob Dieno, Brant Hasanen,
Rick Heney, Ryan Scorgie,
Jamie Mayes
The Kamloops Chamber’s policy committee
is well known in both the provincial and
federal policy arenas and is truly becoming
the voice of business at home and on the
nation’s stage.
Our unique process for creating position
papers on government policy reform has
served the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce
well in our advocacy efforts.
The committee held 13 meetings in 2012
and hosted three roundtables to gather
information from members on issues
affecting their businesses. The Kamloops
membership debated and voted upon nine
issues in March at our local policy session. Of
those, seven were provincially focused and
two were directed to the federal government.
All were passed at the BC and Canadian
Chambers of Commerce policy sessions in
May and September respectively. Now those
organizations are also advocating on behalf
of our members at their level of government
discussions.
To view the past three years’ policy statements,
see www.kamloopschamber.ca/advocacy.
4

CHAMBER BUILDING
TASK FORCE
MANDATE:
• To ensure that the Chamber secures sufficient
and adequate office space in a fiscally prudent
manner
PARTICIPANTS:
Chair: Brant Hasanen
Vice-Chair: Stephen Earl
Participants: Bob Dieno, Maurice Hindle,
Peter Aylen, Brent Ashby
This year, the goals for the Chamber Building
Task Force were:
• Determine the desired outcome for Chamber
and Visitor Centre
• Address office space requirements
The task force successfully guided the Chamber
through the purchase of property at 615 Victoria
Street in downtown Kamloops in January 2013
and relinquished the Visitor Centre contract to
Tourism Kamloops as of December 31, 2012.
SOCIAL ISSUES
COMMITTEE
MANDATE:
• To reduce crime, homelessness and poverty
and improve public safety in Kamloops.
Although ambitious, this mandate is an ongoing
focus for the Chamber. The committee consists of
seven Chamber directors and staff as well as two
members-at-large who are passionate about
implementing business-based solutions to help
in the fight against crime.
PARTICIPANTS:
Chair: Aleece Laird
Participants: Stephen Earl, Dan Lockwood,
Nancy Plett, Don Anderson,
Cheryl Bush, Lisa White
RCMP ALERTS: The success of this program
continues to be evident in thankful emails from
members as well as a 120% open ratio upon receipt.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS: Partnerships
with the RCMP, City of Kamloops Community
Safety, ICBC and other local businesses have
assisted the committee in providing monthly
tips and in-depth articles through our
email blasts related to crime prevention and
business and personal safety.
COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENT: The
committee is currently working with the RCMP
and Crown Counsel to develop a Community
Impact Statement which will be used within the
court system with respect to crime on businesses.
5

STRATEGIC PLAN
REPORT
The Chamber has now completed the first year of
its latest three-year strategic plan.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR
KEY RESULT AREAS FOR 2012
1. IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT WITH MEMBERS AND THE
BUSINESS COMMUNITY
• The Chamber offices were moved to a more central,
downtown location for accessibility and visibility.
• A new brand for the Chamber was developed which further
represents the objectives of the Chamber and its membership.
• The 12@12 program was redesigned into focus groups to
ensure members’ concerns on business issues are wellrepresented
in our policy/advocacy work.
• Executive Director reports quarterly to board on review of
member engagement strategies.
2. INCREASE THE PERCEIVED VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP
• A credible survey and reporting system was developed
to measure member feedback.
• Member participation increased in the following areas
over the past year:
• roundtables +70% avg.
• tradeshows +8.9%
3. INCREASE MEMBERSHIP TO 1000 MEMBERS
BY YEAR-END 2014
• Retention strategies were reviewed and developed.
• Implemented new recruitment strategies involving social media.
• The Chamber recruited 146 new members in 2012.
• A record 852 members supported the Chamber in 2012.
VISITOR CENTRE
· Promoted Kamloops to over 22,000
people from around the world, including
45 states and every province in Canada.
· Prepared over 6,700 Tournament
& Conference welcome packages.
· Gold winners of the 2012 RV West
Reader’s Choice Award for Favourite
Visitor Centre in BC.
· Joined Go Fish BC’s Free Rod Loan
Program so visitors to Kamloops can
borrow fishing rods and tackle for free.
EDUCATION
· 21 members attended power hour sessions
facilitated by WOW Leadership Training.
· 110 new members attended member
orientation breakfasts.
SOCIALS
· Hosted 2 tradeshows with 98 member
exhibitors in total.
· Hosted 13 socials at member locations.
· Approximately 1,600 people attended
the social events.
6

2012 HIGHLIGHTS
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
· The program celebrated 27 years of
honouring business excellence.
· 384 people attended the gala dinner.
· 244 nominations were submitted from
the community.
· 168 businesses were nominated.
MEMBERSHIP
· Reached an all-time membership high
of 852 members.
· Acheived a retention rate of 83.9%
· Brought in 146 new members.
· 221 members access the Chamber of
Commerce Group Insurance Plan.
· 17 awards were presented to business leaders.
SPEAKER SERIES
· 5 timely topics covered in speaker series.
· 77 members attended speaker events.
ADVOCACY
· 44 members attended Policy Session.
· 21 attendees for Membership roundtable.
· 16 attendees at Industry Sector roundtable.
“Overall member participation
increased by 56% since 2009”
7

2012 NEW MEMBERS
• Visalus Independent Distributor
• Sweet Pine Ventures
• 3 Pillar Designs Inc.
• 4Cats Arts Studio
• Expedia CruiseShipCenters Kamloops
• A-1 Auto Service Centre
• Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic
• Coaching Insights
• Advance Hospitality Consulting Services
• Advantage Home Inspection Ltd.
• AEB Electric Inc.
• Aidacom Business Communications Ltd.
• Alliance Traffic Group Inc.
• Andre’s Telus
• Andrew Sheret Ltd.
• Ashton & Associates
• B. Coombs Construction Ltd.
• Valleyview Mini Storage
• BA Dawson Blacktop Ltd.
• Bawtree Software Contracting Ltd.
• Building It Forward Reno’s & Contracting
• Caffe Arianna Ltd.
• Canada Logo
• CAN-AM Auctions Ltd.
• Revelstoke Business Complex
• Centre for Seniors Information
• Treetop Flyers Zipline
• Clive Gorman Consulting
• Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada
• Eaglepoint Golf Resort
• Columbia Summit Veterinary Hospital
• Competent Carpet Cleaning
• Galore Kitchens
• CRS Canadian Restaurant Supply Ltd.
• D & J Landscaping
• Damac Ventures
• Darlene Fair RMT
• Donna Lessard
• Dr. Johannes Van Dyk Inc.
• Eco Chic Cleaning Services
• Edward Jones - Jim Young
• Enabled Financial Solutions LTD.
• Engage Media Inc.
• Evolution HR & Benefits Consulting
• Evolve Pilates Studio
• Faction Skate & BMX
• Fashion Moves Inclusive Design
• Findlay’s Vacuum and
Sewing Machine World
• Fountain Tire
• Fudge Yeah
• G & T Metallurgical Services
• Gerico Forest Products Ltd.
• Get Polished
• Glover’s Medicine Centre Pharmacy
• Grand Fir Construction
• Greenvale Construction
• Healthy Working Solutions
• Heart & Soul Consulting
• Hegyi Refrigeration & Mechanical Ltd.
• Helmcken Chocolates & Waffles
• Hemlock Construction
• Highlands Irrigation Ltd.
• Holly Eburne Coaching Services
• Houle Electric
• City Centre Auto Service
• Ideal Managed Services Ltd.
• Mortgage Alliance Kamloops
• Innergy Corporate Yoga Inc.
• Insight Tire & Auto
• Interior Science Innovation Council
• Investors Group
• IRL International Truck Centres Ltd.
• Janice Grunert Notary Public Inc.
• Jim Smart, REALTOR - Century 21
Desert Hills Realty
• Kam City Mechanical
• Kamloops Alarm and Electric
8

• Kamloops Foundation
• Nurse Next Door
• Kamloops Hearing Aid Centre
• Kamloops Interior Summer School
of Music (KISSM)
• Karla Pearce Art Gallery
• Laser Implant Dr. P. Desai Inc.
• LegalShield
• Lehigh Cement
• Garnet Mierau Coaching
• Lonestar Feed & Tack
• McArthur Island Curling Club
• Metro Modular Homes
• Michelle Greenman - Wellness Coach
• Michelle Nelson Counselling
and Consulting
• Mobil 1 Lube Express
• Mystic Dreams Publications & Gifts
• Nanaimo Youth Services Association
• Neat & Chic Organizing
• Noran Printing
• Norgaard Ready-Mix Ltd.
• DBA OK Ready Mix
• Overtime Apparel & Promotions
• Ownership Identification Inc.
• Peter’s Pasta Ltd.
• Pink with Envy nails & esthetics
• Plateau Construction Ltd.
• Platinum Personnel
• Premier Dog Training
• Ragan Advertising
• Stag’s Head Liquor Store
• Redline Motorsport Ltd.
• Roberge Psychological Services Inc.
• Rocket Science Hospitality Solutions
• ROJ Enterprises Inc.
• Rotary Club of Kamloops Daybreak
• RPB Hotels & Resorts
• Seven Rivers Trading Ltd.
• Shaw Business
• Ash’s Adornements
• Southgate Investments Ltd.
• Stoney Creek Contracting Ltd.
• Studi09 Creative Services
• Success Through People Consulting
• Sun Ridge Equipment Ltd.
• Sun River Organics
• Sweet Abundance Vintage Home
Furnishings and Art Studio
• Tamsin McDonagh - Investors Group
• TDC Manufacturing Ltd.
• Teresa the Traveler Multimedia
• Terra Restaurant
• The House of Carmond Hair Design
• The Kamloops Naturopathic Clinic
• The Pilates Tree
• The Yoga Loft
• Thompson Shuswap Chef Farmer
Collaborative Society
• Thompson Valley Disposal Ltd.
• Thompson Valley Driving School
• Thompson Valley Law Corporation
• TidBits of Kamloops
• Tobiano Golf
• Top 40 Woodworks Ltd.
• Trends Art and Frame
• Tyler Meade Photography
• True Spirits Lounge
• Visual Signs & Awards
• Drop Zone Digital Media
• Welcome to The Babyhood!
• Western Industrial Solutions
• White Buffalo Aboriginal & Metis
Health Society
• Turtle Mountain Coffee Company
9

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
Each year, it is the duty of the nominations
committee to seek directors with the expertise
needed to assume the tasks within our strategic
plan. According to our bylaws, the committee must
present to the membership a group of individuals
whom we deem suited for these responsibilities.
Amongst the applications received, the committee
carefully short-listed and interviewed for the
four open positions. Included in our talented
team we also have 5 directors who are up for
re-election this year. We are pleased to present
the following individuals for your consideration:
NEW
Jillian Chisholm
The Shores
Retirement Residence
Bryce Herman
Advance Hospitality
Consulting Services
Fred Legace
Kamloops Airport Ltd.
Janice Rutherford
Janice Grunert
Notary Public Inc.
RE-ELECTION
Bob Dieno
Nu-Tech Fire
& Safety
Aleece Laird
Fresh Inc.
Brent Ashby
KPMG
Jeremy Heighton
WOW Leadership
Training
Neil Leonard
Sweet Pine
Ventures
STAFF
10
Deb McClelland
Executive Director
Ann Eppinger
Visitor Centre
Manager
Lisa White
Sales & Marketing
Coordinator
Jamie Mayes
Events Coordinator
Candace Palmer
Administrative
Assistant

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maurice Hindle
President
Moly-Cop Canada
Bob Dieno
1st Vice President
Nu-Tech Fire & Safety
Peter Aylen
Past President
Absorbent Products Ltd.
Neil Leonard
Director
Sweet Pine Ventures
Aleece Laird
2nd Vice President
Fresh Inc.
Jenn Harbaruk
Director
Welcome to
the Babyhood!
Dan Lockwood
Director
Finning Canada
Stephen Earl
Secretary
Holiday Inn & Suites
Kamloops
Jeremy Heighton
Director
WOW Leadership
Training
Ryan Scorgie
Director
Forward Law LLP
Tina Lange
City Representative
Brent Ashby
Treasurer
KPMG
Rick Heney
Director
Fulton & Company LLP
Paul Ross
Director
Valley First Insurance
Nancy Bepple
City Representative
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
REPRESENTATIVES
11

615 Victoria St. Kamloops, BC V2C 2B3
250.372.7722
kamloopschamber.ca
PARTNERSHIPS
• British Columbia Chamber Executives
• British Columbia Chamber of Commerce
• City Business Alliance
• Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada
• Communities in Bloom
• Community Business Initiatives Group
• Coordinated Enforcement Task Force
• Graffiti Task Force
• Leadership Council for Homelessness Action Plan
• Miss Kamloops Ambassador Program
• Santa Claus Parade
• School District 73 Business Company
• Venture Advisors
• Enactus TRU
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
• Aberdeen Mall
• Absorbent Products
• BC Hydro Power Smart
• BCLC
• BDC Business Development Bank
• Berwick on the Park
• Broadcast Centre
• City of Kamloops
• Community Futures Thompson Country
• Daley & Company
• Excel Personnel
• Home Hardware
• Judy Basso Events & Décor
• Kamloops Daily News
• Kamloops Ford Lincoln
• Kent Wong Photography
• KGHM Ajax Mining Inc.
• KPMG
• Lee’s Music
• Lizzie Bits Baby Company
• Prestons
• Pulse Group
• RBC Royal Bank
• Sandler Training
• TD Canada Trust
• Tourism Kamloops
• TRU-School of Business & Economics
• Underwriters Insurance Brokers
• Venture Kamloops
• Wayside
• WOW Leadership Training
12