Skip to content

Chamber helps towns

It’s Chamber Week and that means chamber of commerce groups are giving folks a heads up

It’s Chamber Week and that means chamber of commerce groups  are giving folks a heads up about their efforts for towns across Canada.

“We try to attract business to this area,” chamber manager, Erin Siemens said.

She noted the chamber tries to get more dollars flowing through the local economy to increase the quality of life in our region.

“We try to stimulate economic growth, add to worker skill levels and we also represent business with government,” Siemens said.

Some initiatives of the Vanderhoof chamber include sponsoring workshops to help businesses thrive, and organizing events that help spread the word about our area’s benefits for people or businesses that may consider visiting or relocating to the Nechako Valley.

“We have industry heads come in and we speak to businesses ...  and we put on a trade show that last year was fully sold out,” she said.

She said businesses that become members share a lot of benefits.

“A study (in the U.S.) showed 70 per cent of people are more likely to buy from businesses that are chamber members,” Siemens said.

She notes some chamber sponsored events have brought an atmosphere of fun and safety being residents downtown for holidays.

“The annual pumpkin walk has been a real success,” Siemens notes, “We have 500 pumpkins, fireworks and get people out to a safe place to celebrate together.”

The Parade of Lights with around 60 parade floats is another event the chamber sponsors. Siemens explained how the parade combined with late night local shopping events helps keep holiday spending dollars closer to home.

“People come and support local business and feel there’s more to offer here,” she added.

The chamber manager said their local chapter is affiliated with B.C. and Canadian chamber associations.

“We are all connected so we can lobby higher levels of government,” Siemens said.

She hopes the chamber’s efforts attract people and industry to the area.