The first election since the three chambers of commerce on the lower Sunshine Coast disbanded in favour of amalgamation is fast approaching.
The Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce (made up of the former chambers from Pender Harbour, Sechelt and Gibsons) now includes more than 340 members, up from the nearly 250 members the former chambers held combined. At the May 28 annual general meeting (AGM), paid members will cast their vote for leadership for the new chamber. There will be a minimum of nine board members, and there is also room for directors at large. The nine current board of directors have all indicated they are willing to continue in their roles. The May 28 meeting could also see some nominations for consideration.
Since the new chamber was registered in January 2024, an interim board of directors has been at the helm to guide the merger and continue to build relationships with businesses, organizations and governments.
The Merger Task Force included Ron Badley, Doug Marteinson and Gaetan Royer, each representing the former regional chambers. Now, the chamber seeks to elect its first board of directors on May 28. The AGM will be held at the Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club in Roberts Creek, starting at 11:30 a.m. After the election, new chamber bylaws will be up for adoption.
Ed Pednaud, the executive director, said there’s been “good momentum” with the election and since the merger. He’s heard from business owners who have never joined and some who were former members have expressed interest in rejoining the chamber.
“Lots of new businesses that are coming on board are seeing the value of being part of the business-to-business networking that we can do and support,” Pednaud said.
At the AGM, Royer wants to hear from business owners about the issues they deal with. “During merger discussions, we communicated frequently with the membership to make sure we were going in the right direction,” Royer said in a press release. “We will use the same approach at the AGM. We want to engage all members. We want to get feedback about strategies to address local business owners’ concerns.”
Royer points to the unanimous vote to amalgamate “overwhelmingly recognized that we all face the same issues. We share the same goals.”
Gibsons mayor Silas White is scheduled to be the AGM’s guest of honour and will speak about investments in Gibsons and answer members’ questions.
Other recent changes for chamber members include a new arrangement with Sunshine Coast Tourism. Previous visitor services and travel ambassador programs run by the Gibsons and Pender Harbour chambers have been transferred to Sunshine Coast Tourism.
“We are thrilled about the local Chambers of Commerce merger, which will streamline services for businesses and strengthen our communities,” Annie Wise, the executive director of Sunshine Coast Tourism, said in a press release. “We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to develop programs and unlock new opportunities that enrich our entire region. Together, we share a commitment to supporting our local businesses through tourism."
