Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader
The Slave Lake and District Chamber of Commerce has two new board members and a bead on two more. This would mean a full board.
The Chamber hopes to have “a board that wants to show up,” says Holly MacPherson, Chamber executive administrator.
At a recent AGM, Brenna Emes (Creative Goods and Co.) and Craig Hudson (ATCO) joined the board. Francesca Ward (Nash Giroux LLP) went from interim-president to president. Ali Mouallem (Alimo’s Ventures and Alimo’s Pizzeria) is the vice-president. Srini Jayaraman (Sawridge Group of Companies) is treasurer. Other returning board members are Deanna Johnson (RBC), Jenny DiFranscesco (RBC), Wayne Lewis (Tolko), Shawn Gramlich (Town of Slave Lake), and Norm Seatter (M.D. of Lesser Slave River).
The Chamber supports local businesses and holds events throughout the year.
The 2023 focus is on supporting “existing members and make sure they know the benefits,” says MacPherson.
These include the Chamber health benefits and the Fan$aves app.
The more businesses use Fan$aves, “the more we build value,” says MacPherson.
When it comes to events, the Chamber has a full calendar.
It partnered with the Town of Slave Lake on State of the Lake on April 5. This is an economic development event. The registration is closed, but 50 people registered.
May 5 and 6 is the Lake Life Expo trade show in the MRC.
There is space for 90 vendors, as of March 30 40 had registered.
“It’s going well,” says MacPherson. “I think it will be a full event.”
“It’s a little bit different,” says MacPherson. For example, instead of a beer garden the Chamber is talking with Dog Island Brewing and a brewer from High Prairie about selling their wares at the trade show. The Chamber is also looking into entertainment and encouraging vendors to have give-aways.
May 26 the Chamber is organizing a golf tournament. The date has been set, but details are still in the works.
July 6 to 9 is Riverboat Daze. Wednesday night there is a free concert in the MRC parking lot. Thursday to Sunday the carnival rides will be in Slave Lake. Saturday in the morning will be a parade followed by a block-party, for vendors. The Chamber and Ice Breaker Hockey are putting on the concert. The Slave Lake Region Tourism Society is organizing the block-party.
The Chamber will announce dates for quarterly membership meetings in April.
“We seem to be having the best luck with the evening,” says MacPherson, “but I think we’re going to have an afternoon option.”
The fall and winter events are still in progress. During Small Business Week (Oct. 15 to 21), it is organizing a corporate challenge and business award gala. In November, it will organize Moonlight Madness.
