annual report 2015 - Fernie Chamber of Commerce

ANNUAL REPORT 2015
Fernie Chamber of Commerce
102 Hiway 3
Fernie, BC V0B 1M0
250.423.6868 | FERNIECHAMBER.COM
FERNIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
VISION
A vibrant organization recognized for its valuable contribution to the community.
MISSION
Strengthening commerce in the Fernie area.
WHAT IS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
What does a Chamber do, and how does it add value. The Chamber value can be broken down
into three main categories, 1) confidence benefits, 2) social benefits, and 3) special treatment.
Confident consumer know who you are and trust you. A study by the Schapiro Group in 2012
found that Chamber members experience a 68% increase in patronage and 73% increase in
consumer awareness.
Communities benefit as Chambers promote economic development and act as business
advocates building strong business communities.
Members get special treatment in forms of product discounts, group health insurance savings,
exclusive member offerings and networking opportunities.
THREE LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP
EXPERIENCE
The Fernie Chamber of Commerce was established in 1902 as The Fernie Board of Trade. It was
established as a non-political and non-sectarian organization that would be purely for the
benefits of the town. At the time, there was a goal to lobby BC Government to bridge the Elk
River and Coal Creek, and to make good roads to the CPR Mill and other necessary
improvements.
Rich in history, the Fernie Chamber of Commerce was a founding member of the Canadian
Chamber of Commerce.
From the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual Report
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It is my honor to deliver a review of the 2015
year for the Fernie Chamber of Commerce.
I would like to thank the Board of Directors
for their dedication, hard work and their
commitment to the mission and goals of the
Fernie Chamber in helping our members
grow their businesses in the Fernie area.
I would like to thank our staff, Patty Vadnais,
Renné Hooper, Amy Levesque, Stacey-Ann
Jones Clark, Michelle McMahon, Jordan
Mitchell, and Christine Thompson for all of
their hard work in growing the services that
the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and the
Visitor Information Centres offer to the
businesses and visitors to Fernie.
Our team worked hard this year meeting our strategic goals. Through new ideas, sponsorship
opportunities and the support of our partners we were able to offer enhanced services to our
members and visitors. Two new networking opportunities have been launched with great
success. Coffee and Convos is the first Wednesday of each month and Banter, Business, and
Beer is the third Wednesday of each month. These events are your opportunity to network, see
your neighbor, discuss topics of concern and see what The Chamber is offering.
We worked with members, citizens and the city by providing relevant information on mobile
food vending resulting in the adoption of a new bylaw in December. A number of focus groups
were brought together to work on items like labour shortages, the creation of the Ambassador
Program, and Angler Management. A Business Retention and Expansion survey has been
initiated with support from the City of Fernie, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Rural
Development Institute. This will provide the City and the Chamber with an economic baseline
for Fernie, as well as provide information to support policy decisions and grant proposals.
To all of the volunteers who helped the Fernie Chamber with its many events throughout 2015,
we could not have done it without you, thank you! Please continue to be generous with your
time in helping us promote great events and enhancing commerce and tourism in the Fernie
area.
To our Members, we are a membership organization, it is only with your support and
membership that we are able to strengthen commerce in Fernie.
To our partners, the City of Fernie, the Province of British Columbia, Columbia Basin Trust and
the Federal Government, thank you very much for your support in aiding us to provide the
services that we offer to our members.
Global Economic forces, and the value of the Canadian dollar are only a few of the factors that
continue to impact the success of our businesses in the Elk Valley. We will continue to look for
valuable ways to support each of you and the businesses that you represent.
In 2016, we will continue to strengthen the brand of the Chamber in Fernie, find more ways to
serve our members, focus on advocacy for our members, lobbying to ensure that policies are
effective for those within our membership.
In closing, my wish is for the Fernie Chamber of Commerce to see every business in the Fernie
area become a member, recognizing and supporting the work and goals of each of you and
contributing to the success of Fernie.
I look forward to what 2016 has to offer.
Sheila Byers
Board President
MEETING OUR STRATEGIC GOALS
The 2015 Strategic Plan was comprised of five key result areas: Financial Sustainability,
Membership and Membership Services, Advocacy, Chamber Brand and Governance.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
SUCCESSES:



Financial management that resulted in modest surplus
Secured funding for new projects including the Ambassador Program and the Business
Retention and Expansion Survey
Fund-raising events were profitable including the 2015 AGM and 2015 Community and Business
Excellence Awards
MEMBERSHIP & MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
SUCCESSES:



Created two new networking events for membership (BB&B and Coffee & Convos),
with 230 attendees at the year’s events.
Launched the Member Profile Facebook post to highlight members social media
Advertising Mix providing a cost effective marketing option for members to increase their
community exposure
ADVOCACY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SUCCESSES:




Worked alongside the City by providing relevant information on mobile food vending, supported
the City’s adoption of a new bylaw in December 2015
Angler Management – wrote letters to MLA on behalf of angler members for the adoption of the
new Angler Management Plan
Initiated the Business Retention and Expansion survey. The Chamber sought support of Council
to complete a BR&E that will provide the City and the Chamber with an economic baseline for
Fernie, as well as provide information to support policy decisions and grant proposals.
Co-ordinated and hosted federal election forum for Elk Valley in collaboration with Sparwood
and Elkford Chambers.
THE CHAMBER BRAND
SUCCESSES:



A new marketing committee was called that has been working on Chamber image and
messaging. Changes will continue to roll out in 2016.
Increased frequency of e-newsletter to keep members up-to-date on Chamber activities and
success as well as community events.
Introduced the Community Planning Calendar. This calendar is designed to help people savethe-date for big events and avoid planning two big events on the same weekend.
http://www.ferniechamber.com/whats-new/calendar/month
GOVERNANCE
SUCCESSES:



A renewed focus was put on being a policy governance board. The board has approved
individual board performance and board performance evaluation forms.
Adopted in early 2016 was a complete Governing Policies document.
Board is focusing on strategic direction and overarching goals while staff is seeing to operations.
The Chamber welcomed 33
new members in 2015
OUTLOOK TO 2016
2016 STRATEGY AT A GLANCE
OUTCOMES OF SUCCESS
Financial
Sustainability
Membership
Services
Diversified
revenue
streams, nondues
Valued
programing:
m2m benefits,
mentorship,
discounts
Financial
controls and
expenses
management
Strong
membership
structure
Profitable
events
Advocacy &
Economic
Development
Issues
identification
process
Chamber
Brand
Governance
Be the Hub
Accountability
Consistent
messaging
Team building
Red tape
reduction
Educated
Effective
governance
communication
Representation
Calculated risk
of membership
management
views
and expanding
Vision
boundaries
Development
Connecting
network events:
b2b, b2gov’t
Member driven
advocacy
Engaged
membership
Relationship
with all gov’t
levels
Effective
communication
Effective
membership
structure
In November of 2015, the board of directors gathered for a day-long strategic planning session
professionally facilitated by Steve Baines. The board felt the pillars of Financial Sustainability,
Membership Services, Advocacy and Economic Development, Chamber Brand, and Governance
were still relevant from the 2015 plan. The outcomes for success under each pillar were
reviewed and updated. Chamber staff has built action plans and goals to achieve the outcomes
listed above.
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
MEMBERSHIP
254 members
85% Retention rate
39 members are taking advantage of the Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan.
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The program celebrated and honored Fernie
business excellence.
Sold out Awards Gala hosting 250 guests
The community submitted 125 nominations
with 60 businesses nominated
15 excellence awards were presented to
community and business leaders
CONNECTING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Hosted a Business to Business tradeshow; sold out with 15 member exhibitors in May 2015.
Coffee and Conversations - Introduced in June 2015 as a way to connect with the membership,
the Chamber hosted 11 throughout the year with 78 attendees. .
As members expressed the coffee meetings may be a bit early for some, the Banter, Business,
and Beer option began September 23 and seven have been hosted at member businesses with
152 attendees.
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
Customer Service Excellence Seminar
Recruitment and Retention Seminar
Winter Planning Forum
New Member Orientation
Seminars and Workshops in 2015 had 70 attendees
SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH
Facebook - 387 to 582 likes by December 2015
Twitter - 860 followers to 1010 by December 2015
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sheila Byers
President
Park Vacation Management Ltd.
Graeme Nunn
Vice-President
Rockies Law Corp
Tristan Woods
Treasurer
TD Canada Trust
Todd Fyfe
Past President
Fernie Real Estate Company
Paul Arcoite
Director-at-large
Urban Settler
Anita Palmer
Director-at-large
College of the Rockies
Steve Preston
Director-at-large
Scotiabank
Alicia Clarke
Director-at-large
Grow Children’s Boutique
Vanessa Croome
Director-at-large
Claris Media
Ryan Frazer
Director-at-large
ReMax Realty
Geof Hare
Director-at-large
BoardStiff
Tammy Ogden
Director-at-large
TECK
COMMITTEE LISTING
GOVERNANCE,
Sheila Byers, Vanessa Croome, Todd Fyfe, Graeme Nunn, and Tammy Ogden
MEMBERSHIP,
Vanessa Croome, Aysha Haines, and Geof Hare,
MARKETING TASK FORCE
Vanessa Croome, Phil Gadd, Scott Gilmet, Andrea Horton, and Abi Moore
BUSINESS AWARDS COMMITTEE
Aysha Haines, Rebecca Hall, Renné Hooper, and Randal MacNair
STAFF LISTING
Patty Vadnais
Executive Director
Renné Hooper
Membership Services Coordinator
Amy Levesque
Visitor Information Counsellor (summer 2015/winter 2016)
Jordan Mitchell
Visitor Information Counsellor (summer/fall 2015)
Stacey-Ann Clarke
Griz Days Event Coordinator (contract position)
Christine Thompson Visitor Information Counsellor, downtown
Cory Dvorak
Visitor Information Counsellor, downtown
PARTNERSHIPS
British Columbia Chamber Executives
British Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
City of Fernie
Columbia Basin Trust
Elk Valley Economic Initiative
Fernie and District Historical Society
Fernie Arts Council
Imagine Kootenay
Regional District of East Kootenay
Resort Development Strategy Advisory Working Group
Tourism Fernie
MEMBERSHIP LISTING
1st Choice Realty
6:8 Photography
A&W (Fernie Burger Company Inc.)
Align Surveys Ltd.
Alpine Cougar Chalet
Alpine Lodge Fernie (Associate - Yamagoya)
Alpine Toyota
Alpine Trails Mountain Community
Amundsen Electric
Angela Morgan Inc.
Ann's Independent
Apex Power & Automation
A-Z Contracting
Barbara Lynn's Country Inn
Barkside Pets
Best Western Plus
Fernie Mountain Lodge
Big Bang Bagels
Birch Meadows Lodge B&B
Black Pine Builders
Boardstiff
Boston Pizza / Crocus Foods
Brecan Building Supplies
Bridge Bistro
Buds & Blooms
Build Train Contracting LTD/
D's Drywall
Bull River Adventures/
Total Outdoor Adventures
Canadian Tire
Canyon Raft Company
Capasiti Consulting
Causeway Bay Sparwood Hotel
Cinch Homes
City of Fernie
Claris Media
Clarkson Contracting Ltd.
Clawhammer Press
Coal Town Goods
College of the Rockies
Columbia Basin Trust
Columbia Copiers
Community Futures East Kootenay
Community Listing Service
Cook's Electrical Services Ltd.
Copper-Tip Plumbing and Heating
CP Catering
Crumbs Cakery & Café
Delyea Art
DLC East Kootenay Mortgage
Down to Earth Excavating
Dr. Karley Denoon, N.D. (Naturopath)
East Kootenay Community Credit Union
East Kootenay Motel Ltd.
Edge of the World
E-KNOW
Elevation Industries
Elk River Guiding Company Inc.
Elk River Mountain Homes
Elk Valley Bookkeeping
Elk Valley Denture Clinic Ltd.
Elk Valley Electrical
Elk Valley Employment Centre//Canadian
Mental Health Assoc.
Elk Valley Family Chiropractic Ltd.
Elk Valley Hospice
Elk Valley Painting & Decorating
Elk Valley Pizza Shoppe
Elk Valley Precision Carpentry
Etheridge Law
Evolution Health and Fitness
F.I.R.E.
Fernie & District Arts Council (Arts Station)
Fernie & District Historical Society (Museum)
Fernie Alpine Resort
Fernie Arts Co-op
Fernie Athletic Therapy and Rehabilitation
Fernie Auto Parts
Fernie Bookkeeping
Fernie Brewing Company
Fernie Cardlock
Fernie Central Reservations
Fernie Child Care Society
Fernie Chrysler
Fernie Complete Cuisine and Catering
Fernie Creative Minds Preschool
Fernie Ford Sales Ltd.
Fernie Forge, Eye of the Needle
Fernie Garden Centre
Fernie Ghostriders Hockey
Fernie Golf & Country Club
Fernie Home Building Centre
Fernie Lodging Company
Fernie Meat Market
Fernie Mountain Bike Club
Fernie Mountain Lawn Care
Fernie Mountain Spirits
Fernie Optometric Clinic/
Rocky Mountain Optometry
Fernie Professional Firefighters
Fernie Property Care
Fernie Public Library
Fernie Puppy School
Fernie Real Estate Company Ltd.
Fernie Rentals Ltd.
Fernie RV Resort
Fernie Snowmobile Association
Fernie Wilderness Adventures
Fernie Wood Finishing
Finning Canada
Foothills Silva Culture Inc.
FR Rentals
Free Press, The
Freshies Coffee
Gather Dust
Gearhub Enterprises
Ghostrider Motorsports
Ghostrider Trading Co.
Giv'er Shirt Works
Gloria Doehle Bookkeeping
Goldstar Cleaning Services
Good Earth Natural Alternatives
GPI Chartered Accountants
Graceland Builders
Gravelle, Marian - Notary Public
Grow Children's and Maternity
Haddad Financial Services
Happy Cow Ice Cream & Desserts
Healing Hollow
Hempire
Hospitality Associates
Hub International Barton Insurance
IGS Value Drug Mart
Inspired Living Design
Interior Envy
Intermountain Specialties Inc.
Ion Integrity Consulting Inc.
ISL Engineering and Land Services
Island Lake Resort Group Inc.
Isosceles Business Systems
Jordan Earl Contracting
Josie Majury Design
Jude Smith
Keenan Development Group
Kimberley Riverside Campground
Knox United Church
Koocanusa Lake Campsite & Marina Ltd.
Koocanusa Publications Ltd.
Kootenay Taxi Ltd.
Larsen & Whelan Enterprises Inc.
Leffler Law Office
Leppard Technology Solutions
Lilac Media
Linda Krawczyk
Lizard Creek Lodge
Loaf Bakery
Lunchbox
Lysh Hair Salon
Majic & Purdy
McDonald Ranch and Lumber
McDonald's Restaurant
McElhanney
Melanie Wortley CGA
Minifie, Vincent B.A. CGA
Mountain High River Adventures
Mountain High Travel and Tours
Mountain Ink
Mountain Ledger
Mountain View Dental/Dr. D.P. Demmings
Mow and Snow Land Care
NCL Installations Inc.
Nevados Restaurant
Newgate Sandy Shores Resort
NonStop Ski
Not Just Pizza
Nufloors
Oak on Fire Coaching
Odyssey Clothing
OCD Adventures
Old Nurses Residence B&B
Oolichen Books
Parastone Developments Ltd.
Park Place Lodge (associate)
Park Vacation Management
Patti's Party Tent Rental
PEAK Speech Language Partners
Perfect Circle Management
Polar Peek Books and Treasures
Predictive Inspections Ltd.
PropertyGuys.com East Kootenay &
Crowsnest
Quail, Douglas
Quality for Less Furniture Inc.
R&K Contracting Bobcat Service
Raging Elk Hostel
Re/Max Elk Valley Realty
Red Tree Lodge
Rigby Built Construction
Rigby Sign
Rivercity Woodworks & Mountain Homes
Rockies Law Corporation
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Rotary Club of Fernie, The
Royal Lepage East Kootenay Realty
S2 Builders Ltd (formerly 'From the Ground Up')
Salvation Army
Sandman Inn Cranbrook
Savage Marketing
Save-On Foods
Schnell Carpentry
Scotiabank
Seekers Media
Ski Base aka - Red Tree Sports
Snow Valley Consulting
Snow Valley Motel
Snow Valley Spa & Leisure
Snowy Peaks RV & Trailer Court
Soar Cycle Studio
South Country Services Ltd.
Southeast Contracting and Disposal
Spa 901 (J.L. Spa Therapies)
Sparling East Medical Centre
Stanford Inn
Starbucks Coffee Company
Stephanie's Glass and Art Studio
Subway Fernie
Sukha Lifestyle Studio
Super 8 Motel (Peacock Hospitality)
TD Canada Trust
TECK
Telus
The Brick House
The Castle on First
The Chopstick Truck
The Curry Bowl
THE DRIVE- CJDR Radio-Jim Paterson Group
The Fernie Academy Society
The Fernie Hotel and Pub
The Green Petal
The Guides Hut + Fernie Bike Guides
The Old Hamilton Bank Building
The Quest Outdoor Sports
The Royal
The Tipple
The Vogue Theatre
Three Sisters Day Spa
Tim Hortons
TJ's Autobody
Total Maintenance Services
Tourism Fernie
Travelodge Three Sisters
Urban Settler
VM Travel Adventures
Western Financial
Westland Insurance
White Ladder Painting
Wildsight/Elk Valley Branch
Will-o-bend Golf & RV
Wortley, Paul
Yamagoya Japanese Restaurant
Representing 254 successful and diverse
businesses and organization in Fernie and area.
SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
VISITOR INFORMATION CENTERS – TOTAL VISITORS
Between the highway and downtown locations was a 6% increase of visitors in 2015 over 2014.
The two locations welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors to Fernie.
HIGHWAY VISITORS
DOWNTOWN VISITORS
2012 ....................................... 11,887
2012 ....................................... 15,106
2013 ....................................... 12,501
2013 ....................................... 12,569
2014 ....................................... 11,998
2014 ....................................... 12,431
2015 ....................................... 11,049 -7%
2015 ....................................... 14,928 20%
The Visitor Information Services provided by the Chamber of
Commerce are part of the Visitor Service Network administered
by Destination BC. It is exciting that Destination BC has
confirmed their financial support to Fernie’s Visitor Information
Center for the next three years. This is a change from the
previous year-to-year decisions being made.
“Visitor Centers are always
my first stop in a new town. I
saw the big i coming into
town and followed it.”
Kim Anderson,
The Chamber continues to secure and pursue other funding
Hailey, ID
options to assist in visitor service operations including wage
subsidy programs through Columbia Basin Trust, retail sales, and sani dump donation.
Looking forward to 2016, there will be a focus on continuous improvement to the guest
interactions, stats collections (on-site and at events), and financial management.
The working relationship
between the Fernie
Museum and Chamber is
strong. Together we have
been able to find creative
solutions to ensure fulltime work to staff. This
has allowed us to keep
valuable, trained staff
while maximizing dollars
available.
COMMUNITY PLANNING CALENDAR
Under the Visitor Center umbrella, the Chamber started the Community Planning Calendar –
found at http://www.ferniechamber.com/whats-new/calendar
This simple calendar list major events and activities happening in town. Our visitor information
counselors seek out information on annual events and post them. Event organizers can use the
calendar to plan large events and avoid overlap in competing events or create synergies
between complimentary events.
SUMMER SOCIALS
This year we introduced a new format to the Sunday
Socials. Each Sunday, with exception of the first, had a
theme which supported the organizations invited out as
well as the activities on the street. This in-turn made the
streets lively, full of action and benefited a local nonprofit by way of a fundraising BBQ.
Patios were full and lively, businesses such as Elevation,
The Guide’s Hut, Nevados and Big Bang noted being busy
with customers. Vendors like 6:8 Photography felt the
Sunday Socials were a great way to get their name out
there for photo booth rentals.
Attendees were a mix of locals and tourists, both of
which had positive comments about the event, activities and community spirit it put forth.
Visitors from Calgary said they loved the idea of a community art day and thought it was
fantastic to see people of all ages take part in painting the derby car.
GRIZ DAYS 2016
The 39th staging of Fernie Griz Days took place March 4-6, 2016. The festival featured events all
across town and at Fernie Alpine Resort. Joining old favorite events like the Extreme Griz and
Dummy Downhill were new events like the Griz Pub Crawl and Ski with Griz. Griz Days also
launched a website this year - www.ferniegrizdays.com and started a magazine that went out
three weeks prior to the event which contributed to better event attendance all weekend.
60 volunteers put in over 175
volunteer hours
Griz Days is a community wide event. This year, a number of organizations benefited from fundraising efforts during the week. Some community impact examples include:
Elk Valley Hospital Foundation
Raised over $15,000
Griz Days Country Stomp II
Association francophone des
Rocheuses du sud
$300 from Refreshment Garden profits
Shelter Box
Raised $4,785 with the Griz Jail
Christian Youth Association
$500 Donation for Pancake Breakfast
Fernie Food Bank
$1500 from Griz Pins proceeds
Fernie Girl Guides
Over $350 from concession at Station
Square - Friday
Fernie Adaptive Ski Program
$1500 from Griz Pins proceeds
Fernie Hustlers Hockey Team
$300 from Refreshment Garden profits
Fernie Pet Society
Over $300 from concession at Station
Square – Saturday
IN THE NEWS
THANK-YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS: