Greetings all;
As I wrap up my term as President of Bragg Creek and Area Chamber of Commerce I’d like to share achievements, challenges and next steps. I have enjoyed contributing for the last four years (prior as a Director) and will still serve as Past President.
After Covid the team wondered how best to re-ignite the Chamber and how we could serve our membership and tourism. I shared a personal motto of: connect, collaborate and contribute in my leadership role and to guide in
Chamber direction. Congratulations Board on some well done achievements:
-We presented a business plan to Rocky View County in order to have set funding for our planning purposes. RVC has now created a policy and budget for us
-In partnership with Bragg Creek Trails, a new visitor kiosk is in the BCCA parking lot
-We have commissioned new lamppost banners that should be up by this spring
-New tear-away maps for businesses to hand out
-New social event calendar and job board on our website
-Arts, Eats & Beats Festival held in September 2022 and 2023
-Timelines for Chamber activities to help Board members
-In 2021 we completed Shop Local campaigns, marketing videos, art murals, benches and picnic tables, a complete re-brand including new colours, logo and a new website
-Updated bylaws and consolidation of two non-profit corporations into one
-Support funding to Bragg Creek Veterans Memorial Association for the repairs to the cenotaph and the Remembrance Day Ceremony
-Sponsorship funding to Bragg Creek Community Association for Bragg Creek Days, EV charger campaign, and Spirit of Christmas
-Free advertising in the Chamber’s newsletter and social media accounts for our local non-profit groups’ activities
And we had fun! Our Member meetings were full and we enjoyed guest speakers sharing information like Business Grants, Social Media information, and access to free website help. The networking between businesses has been an important way to connect and support each other.
I love this one most of all – the creation of a ‘Community Groups’ meeting at the request of Councillor Hanson. He wanted us all in one place so we could share our thoughts to him and create an ongoing feedback loop. Two meetings have taken place so far with the next one booked in February 2024.
Last year I asked to meet with Travel Alberta and Councillor Hanson to share my concerns that the Tourist portfolio in Bragg Creek is an important one and has been done by the Chamber (volunteers) with money from grants only(which takes time to apply). I worry about getting enough volunteers to complete the tasks(the challenge). Our official hat is Business support and our membership funds go towards supporting businesses. Tourism is not a Chamber mandate but it still needs to be done as it supports some of our local businesses. So I had 3 C’s above for a motto and I have 3 P’s for tourism – tourists need to park, go potty and see something pretty! Thanks again to Gateway for creating some parking for us as the big RV’s were taking up the Hamlet mall space. My hope is that Travel Alberta, Alberta Economic Development and Rocky View County will work together to strategize and plan for Bragg Creek Tourism.
The challenges above and below could use your involvement for next steps! To support business and tourism we must continue conversations around Egress, fire safety, development both in Hamlet and along highway 22, a potential bridge, and seniors housing to name a few. Which one catches your interest? Do you want to be part of the conversation? This reminds me of the wonderful work of Margaret Wheatley in her book Turning To One Another – “There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about. Ask “what’s possible” not “what’s wrong”… notice what you care about…be brave enough to start a conversation that matters…be intrigued by differences you hear… real listening always brings people closer together and trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.”
Bragg Creek is one special place and I have enjoyed supporting this community. Thank you to the team: Ian Greenhalgh, Joanne Birbeck, Neil Maclaine, Harmke de Bruin, Brett Schönekess, Taylor Clarkson and Sunil Mattu for your contributions to the Chamber Board. We did well!
Here’s to possibility, courage and commitment for your upcoming year ahead. enjoy the beautiful trees, snowflakes and smiles this holiday season.
Sincerely, Sherri Olsen
Bragg Creek and Area Chamber of Commerce
