Amazing Race, Chamber style

Staff from more than a dozen local businesses enlisted as racers.

The Cranbrook & District Chamber of Commerce introduced an Amazing Race-like aspect to its usual Business After Business networking event on September 30, and it was met with such enthusiasm that the next event like it will likely be much bigger.

Staff from more than a dozen local businesses enlisted as racers and formed 10 three-person teams assigned to work with clues and accomplish a number of tasks. After composing a jingle and presenting it at the City Theatre—where the team from the SPCA was judged to have the best jingle—each team followed its clues to six target businesses: Sweet Gestures Chocolate Shoppe, Cranbrook Daily Townsman, JJ’s Laundry Depot, Home Hardware, Gipman Millwork & Design and Rocky Mountain Collision. These intrepid businesses agreed to be inundated by the teams and to provide them with tasks to be completed.

Jane Davies of iCandy, the winning team representing East Kootenay Credit Union, said that the tasks they had to complete were challenging and fun: folding fitted sheets correctly at JJ’s Laundry, for instance; proofreading and correcting an article for the Daily Townsman; and assembling a basket of locally sourced products at Sweet Gestures, as well as tasks at the other locations.

The intention behind the event was to generate more mutual knowledge and understanding of the function and personality of Cranbrook businesses. The race ended at Rocky Mountain Collision, where all participants were welcomed to a lavish beef-on-a-bun buffet dinner catered by The Heid Out Restaurant and hosted by Chris Thom.